Increasing Gender Diversity on the Boards of Nonprofit Eds and Meds

The Women’s Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (WNLI) and Nonprofit Issues have jointly published a new national study of gender diversity on the boards of major nonprofit educational and healthcare institutions. The report – Increasing Gender Diversity on the Boards of Nonprofit Eds and Meds: Why and How to Do It – is based on in-depth confidential interviews with 59 eds and meds board members and institutional leaders (chairs and chief executives) in 14 states and the District of Columbia, representing every region of the United States.

This qualitative study explores the reasons behind the numbers reported in WNLI’s earlier report (with La Salle University and its Nonprofit Center) and recommends strategies for changing the numbers.

Access the Ready Reference Page about the report from Nonprofit Issues. Read the Press Release.

Praise for Our Study

“Lots of interesting insights here, especially the ways in which nonprofit boards have their own exclusionary factors — expectation of giving, work through the executive committee because of the size of the board, etc. I had not thought of these factors even though I’ve spent most of my life participating in nonprofit boards, one way or another.”

“This extensive report provides evidence that when board leadership values diversity of skills, experience, age, geography, and points of view, they have a better opportunity to create a gender and racially diverse board.”

“This serious study, and its major conclusions, deserve wide attention from the current gatekeepers of America’s Eds and Meds.”

“I can state quite surely that the report and the visibility it received was an accelerator and a call to action for our board.”

“I very much agree with your conclusions and hope your results will help folks make real progress.”

“I enjoyed reading this report. It is comprehensive, informative and clearly written. One surprising finding to me, although it should have been, was that consumers have a role to play and don’t appreciate it.”

“This report convincingly shows that institutional leaders must intentionally pursue greater diversity on their boards. It’s just not going to happen automatically. Our boards need to “look” more like the populations we serve.”