Statement of Intention
In December of 2021, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts made a public commitment to equity vowing to dedicate resources, time, and energy toward building an equitable culture within our organization and integrating equitable practices and policies in every area of our work. Since then, equity has become central to who we are as an organization, a lens through which we view a shared purpose, and a practice through which we weave decisions. We have made meaningful strides and seek to continue to build upon the foundation of this work to ensure our organization and the communities we serve continue to grow toward a more equitable and connected Valley.
In 2024, with the understanding that the journey to equity is continuous and a necessity for a thriving community, we assessed our progress toward our commitment and in January 2025, we updated and reaffirmed this commitment. We invite you to join us in this work.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment Statement
Reaffirmed January 2025.
At the center of the work of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts lies an unwavering belief in the importance of equity and its power to carve out space where all belong and where opportunities exist for all members of our community. We carry the weight of our own history of exclusion and lack of diversity, reflecting the broader history of exclusion in philanthropy, and the lasting impact it has had on perpetuating inequities within communities.
Equity is foundational to a just and vibrant community, and we are committed to advancing this work with intention and resolve. We pledge to utilize resources at our disposal to advance equity and inclusion throughout the region’s three counties—Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden. We commit to convene with others who share this vision, and to build partnerships with entities and individuals who are dedicated to creating pathways toward fairness and belonging.
We center racial equity in all aspects of our work because racism is pervasive in our society. Dismantling racism sets the stage for eliminating all other forms of oppression, opening opportunity for all. We commit to ongoing reflection and action, knowing that equity is not a destination but a practice—one that requires intention, humility, and the courage to challenge inequities wherever they arise.
Our Commitment in Action
- We advance equity, diversity, and inclusion by holding ourselves accountable and continuing to embed equitable and inclusive practices in our internal planning, processes, and in our work across our region.
- We confront prejudice and discrimination by making intentional, equitable choices that challenge structural racism and other forms of prejudice and discrimination at all levels.
- We prioritize racial equity by using an equity lens and approaches that recognize that racism harms us all and that all staff and volunteers must play an active role in eliminating it.
- We advocate for social justice by amplifying the voices of our community members, including uplifting movement building and systems change work, such as advocacy, that advance equal rights and equitable opportunities for all who live in the three counties, especially those who have been systematically marginalized and underrepresented due to social, economic, political and other factors.
- We foster trust by increasing transparency and accessibility, including through our trust-based approach to grantmaking and scholarship awards. We build brave and affirming spaces for our staff and for the community.
- We share decision-making by opening our doors wider and diversifying our pool of volunteers, advisors, and partners. We have become more deeply engaged with our community to co-design and implement more inclusive decision-making processes.