The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) envisions a region where all community members have the opportunity to thrive – supported by a nonprofit sector that celebrates diversity, values inclusion, and centers equity across all aspects of our work. Making this vision a reality requires resilience and ongoing commitment within and beyond the nonprofit sector.

CNE pledges itself fully to this work and understands that it must start, and remain centered, within our own organization. We will make mistakes and must seek to learn from them. Our vision of equitable, thriving, and just communities powered by healthy nonprofits compels us on this journey and we commit to our internal work with humility, intention, transparency, and hope.

DIVERSITY – Diversity is all of our varied identities and differences, as individuals and collectively, inclusive of beliefs, perspectives, and values.

EQUITY – For CNE, Equity can be defined as ensuring “equally high outcomes of success for all individuals regardless of any social, cultural,” and/or physical factors. Equity is demonstrated by “providing access, opportunities, and resources to people based on their specific needs.” (Citation: The Acacia Company)

INCLUSION – Inclusion is the act of creating environments in which any individuals or groups are and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate and affect decisions and actions at all levels of an organization.