The race equity lens acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations and that fairness and equity are needed to guide the provision of opportunities for all groups. Its purpose is to provide donors with the ability to look critically at the organizations they seek to support, via a framework of suggestions and questions to help assess how organizations operate and who they are led by, understand who the nonprofits serve and, most importantly, assess the impacts of programs they implement, using race equity as a guide. In so doing, donors will be able look at a problem more clearly so that new solutions become visible, have a sharper focus on outcomes and uncover patterns of inequity.

A race equity lens can also be combined with other lenses, to illuminate the intersectionality of race, class, gender, sexual orientation and physical ability.

The gender equity lens acknowledges that historical and cultural gender norms – pervasive attitudes, conceptions and behaviors about gender – have fueled inequitable outcomes for women and girls.

Gender equity ensures tailored strategies are identified by, and equip, women, girls and gender-nonconforming individuals with the resources, power and opportunities necessary to achieve desired outcomes for all, regardless of gender.

Applying a gender equity lens allows examination of the root causes of gender biases and norms that lead to discrimination, oppression, and violence; prioritization of the experiences and needs of this population; and advancement of solutions intended to eliminate existing disparities.