Diversity at CFNI

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at CFNI 

At CFNI, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential to building a fairer, more compassionate society. Our commitment goes beyond words—it’s reflected in our actions, our culture, and the way we support our communities.

💬 What We’ve Done;
Over the past year, we’ve taken meaningful steps to embed DEI into every part of our organisation:

• Staff & Trustee DEI Survey Completed;
  We listened to our people. Our first DEI survey helped us understand lived experiences and identify areas for growth.
• Policy Updates That Go Further;
  We’ve reviewed and updated all internal policies—not just to meet legal standards, but to exceed them. New policies include:
  – Carers Leave
  – Neonatal Care Leave
  – Domestic Abuse Leave
• Training & Learning Opportunities;
  DEI training is now part of our annual development plan for staff and trustees. We’re also working with partners who bring lived experience to the table.
• Inclusive Spaces;
  We’ve created a private wellbeing room for prayer, breastfeeding, meditation, and quiet reflection—because inclusion starts with feeling safe and seen.
• Accessible Communications;
  We’re reviewing all our materials to ensure they’re inclusive and accessible to everyone, inside and outside CFNI.
• Representation & Advocacy;
  Our team actively participates in external DEI forums and networks, helping to shape inclusive practices across Northern Ireland.
• DEI Conference Held; We successfully hosted our first DEI conference, bringing together voices from across the sector to share learning, celebrate progress, and inspire action. The event, organised in response to the violent attacks that took place across the region in the summer of 2024, aimed to foster a collective response from civil society, identify solutions, and discuss how to address the root causes of such violence. Throughout the event, expert speakers provided insights and panel discussions that allowed participants to ask questions, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing conversation. We also published a report on our findings which is on our website under About Us – Resources & Reports – Building Solidarity or you can click this link directly https://communityfoundationni.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Building-Solidarity-Report.pdf

🚀 What’s Next 

We’re not stopping here. Our DEI journey continues with exciting plans ahead:

• Grantmaking Through a DEI Lens; We’re working with partners to co-design grant processes that reflect the diversity of our communities.
• Ethical Investment Strategy; We’re reviewing our investment policies to ensure they align with our DEI values and reduce systemic risk.
• Ongoing Reviews & Reportin;g We’ll continue to track progress, share updates, and learn from others—because accountability matters.

💡 Every Voice Matters 

We know that real change happens when every voice is heard. That’s why we’re building spaces, systems, and relationships that honour difference and promote equity.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, we’d love to hear from you.

info@communityfoundationni.org