How can you make your Philanthropy R&D process more inclusive?

To make this inclusive though you need to be assuming that there is bias embedded in the way you would seek out and gather those very experts so this advice is just too generic. Start closest to the issue and in the community if you can. Co design the problem statement. When looking for experts also seek out naysayers and those who will challenge that the problem even exists.

Involve diverse stakeholders: Engage individuals from various backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities, and socioeconomic groups to define the problem holistically. Conduct empathy interviews, community listening sessions, and online surveys to capture diverse perspectives. Challenge assumptions: Analyze existing data and research trends, but avoid relying solely on past experiences that may perpetuate biases. Question the root causes of the problem and how it affects different communities unequally.

I think it's absolutely critical that the programs being offered by the non-profit are aligned with the needs in the community and the only way that you can ensure that is to engage stakeholders and assess what communal needs are. What this means for many non-profit organizations is that they may need to stop providing or release legacy programs that are no longer relevant in the communities they serve.

Following up with stakeholders who participated in the brainstorming and information gathering sessions is extremely important. This is an opportunity to honor their time, input and contributions toward your philanthropy R&D process by reflecting back what was heard. This models transparency, appreciation and trust, and enables them to truly be part of your R&D journey. Many will become your greatest champions, and will also be likely to offer constructive feedback later in the process because trust was established.

Encourage diverse perspectives: Create brainstorming sessions where individuals feel safe to share unique ideas without judgment. Utilize techniques like "brainwriting" to collect anonymous contributions and prioritize creativity over feasibility initially. Tap into external expertise: Partner with academics, community leaders, and activists from diverse fields to generate innovative solutions. Consider hosting design thinking workshops or hackathons to leverage expertise beyond your immediate network.

Pilot projects with diverse communities: Implement small-scale tests in communities impacted by the problem, ensuring involvement from local residents in designing and evaluating the solutions. Gather feedback through surveys, focus groups, and interviews to assess both efficacy and inclusivity. Partner with diverse organizations: Collaborate with non-profit organizations, community groups, and advocacy agencies representing affected populations. Utilize their existing networks and expertise to reach diverse participants and ensure ethical testing practices.

Develop culturally competent communication: Tailor your messaging and outreach materials to resonate with different communities. Utilize diverse languages, communication channels, and visual representations to ensure accessibility and understanding. Build partnerships for sustainability: Partner with organizations with established infrastructure and expertise in reaching diverse populations. These partnerships can help ensure your scaled-up solution reaches and benefits those it's intended for.

Track data disaggregated by demographics: Collect and analyze data on who benefits from your solution and how diverse communities are impacted. Monitor for unintended consequences and identify areas where inclusivity can be further improved. Conduct regular feedback loops: Encourage ongoing feedback from stakeholders, especially those representing diverse communities. Utilize surveys, community meetings, and social media platforms to gather insights and refine your approach.

Clearly define your goals and the intent of your R&D. Consider identifying diverse stakeholders that are relevant to your R&D goals. After you have done that— engage those stakeholders and implement meaningful feedback loops to ensure diverse perspectives are considered in your research and decision-making process. The R&D process has layers— depending on your goals, the focus may be placed on the stakeholders of whom support your organization (e.g. employees, board, donors, volunteers), and/or the focus may be placed on the direct stakeholders of your cause. Keep in mind diversity can be looked at many ways. It can delve into skin color, educational background, job function, one’s relationship to your organization, and this list goes on

Address unconscious bias: Train your team on implicit bias and create mechanisms to mitigate its influence throughout the R&D process. Encourage diverse team compositions and decision-making structures to reduce bias in idea selection and implementation. Promote accessibility: Ensure all aspects of your R&D process, from information sharing to participation opportunities, are accessible to individuals with disabilities and those facing language barriers. This includes providing alternative formats and translation services.