Inclusive Board Culture

The inequities in power and privilege that exist because of sexism, classism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, racism, and all other forms of exclusion are prevalent not only in general society but also on the boards of our non-profit organizations. All organizations should have a vested interest in challenging inequality both externally, in social structures and institutions, and internally, within the programs, policies, and governance of the organization.

Because inequities are institutionalized, barriers to participation on boards exist for those who are marginalized by the above-mentioned forms of oppression. For example, women comprise 19.5% of the board members for Canada’s top 500 companies, and within the nonprofit sector, a 2021 Statistics Canada report showed that of those board members who replied to a national survey, 14 percent identified as being immigrants to Canada; 11 percent identified as belonging to a visible minority group; eight percent identified as 2SLGTBQIA+; six percent identified as persons with a disability; and three percent identified as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.

Many registered charities struggle with a lack of diversity on their boards, often falling short of truly representing the communities they serve. To help address this, Capacity Canada launched a project—funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada and supported by the St. John’s Status of Women Council—focused on building tools and training to support feminist, trauma-informed, and inclusive Board cultures.

We invite you to explore these resources as a starting point. They’re designed to help individuals reflect on their own understanding of bias and personal values, assess where the Board stands in its readiness to embrace an inclusive culture, and offer practical guidance on how to move forward with intention and impact.