Sustainability and Social Justice

Diversity in the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In this introductory essay to the special issue of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly on diversity, we begin by reviewing management research on diversity in nonprofits. The preponderance of this research focuses on demographic representation. While more contemporary approaches emphasize inclusion in decision making, even this approach falls significantly short because group categorization and identity have become increasingly complex and fluid. We ultimately explore a values approach to diversity, where the fact that people are inherently diverse is recognized and valued in all organizational activities. The final section of this introduction reviews articles included in the special issue. We conclude that the diversity concept must move well beyond a managerial approach to include broader social theories, giving deep consideration to concepts of identity, power dynamics and hidden interest conflicts in diversity efforts, and the ways that societal diversity affects the dynamics of volunteering and the structuring of nonprofit organizations. © 2015, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Volume

45

First Page

3S

Last Page

27S

ISSN

0899-7640

DOI

10.1177/0899764015613568

Keywords

diversity, inclusion, nonprofit, social action, voluntary sector

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS