Racial Equity Toolkit
This toolkit is curated to equip organizations with knowledge and tools, actionable resources and strategies to build a more equitable community.
It includes 4 sections: Building Knowledge About Racial Equity, Creating Anti-Racism and Equity Statements, Strategies, and Plans, Taking Actions to Advance Racial Equity, and Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration. Most of the examples are Canadian; however, we have drawn from a broad range of sources, including governments, academic institutions, Local Immigration Partnerships, and organizations in North America and other countries.
The resources include videos, reports, examples, guides, templates, and more. With each resource, we provide a summary and how you might be able to use it.
Building Knowledge about Racial Equity
Understanding Racism and Racial Equity
GLOSSARYWhat is Racial Equity? | Race Forward
This glossary offers a primer for building vocabulary and understanding of racial equity and race-related terms and concepts.
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Core Concepts | Racial Equity Tools
This toolkit provides a curated list of resources that further explore key racial equity concepts, including structural racism, internalized racism, intersectionality, and white supremacy.
Discussion Paper on Systemic Racism | Canadian Human Rights Commissioner
This paper discusses systemic racism in the Canadian context. It examines the different types of racism in Canada and explores ways to advance anti-racism.
Systemic Discrimination | BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
This video provides an introduction on what is systemic discrimination and its effects on people from a human rights in BC context.
Moving Towards Racial Equity
REPORTMoving Towards Racial Equity | NSIIP
This report offers an environmental scan of racial equity models. It highlights key principles, practices, and specific actions for advancing racial equity work and disaggregated data collection in different spheres of impact.
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Shifting Power Dynamics: EDI in the Non-Profit Sector | Imagine Canada
This report explores the state of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the non-profit sector in Canada, as well as practices that organizations have implemented. It also offers recommendations on steps that non-profits can take to foster equity.
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Advancing Racial Equity within Non-Profit Organizations | Georgetown University
This report shares results from research on how non-profits advance racial equity within their boards and staff. It also offers models, resources, and practical advice for non-profits and funders.
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Creating Cultures & Practices for Racial Equity | Race Forward
This toolkit offers a 4-step process with accompanying tools, including assessments and worksheets, to support arts & culture organizations to develop racial equity in their policies, practices, and culture.
Strategies | Racial Equity Tools
This toolkit provides specific actions that can be taken to advance racial equity across 18 strategic areas including organizational change processes, leadership development, and competencies.
Five Good Ideas for Racial Justice Change-Making | Maytree
This webinar recording discusses the effects of racism in education, housing, justice, health and employment for BIPOC communities in Canada. Five specific and practical ways to advance racial equity are discussed.
Fostering a Culture of Accountability
REPORTAnti-Racism Actions Accountability Report | Green Thumb Theatre
This is an example of a local community theatre’s accountability report on the specific progress they have made in addressing their anti-racism priorities and actions.
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Accountability | Racial Equity Tools
This toolkit provides a collection of tools, processes, and frameworks to measure accountability in fostering racial equity at the individual, organizational, and community levels.
Building a Culture of Accountability | Stanford Social Innovation Review
This article discusses 3 types of accountability (self, mutual & community) that are essential to advancing racial equity. It also provides 7 practices that are rooted in anti-racism to foster a culture of accountability.
Tracking Progress & Learning From Your EDI Initiatives | University of British Columbia
This guide provides information and guidance on how organizations can evaluate the results and learnings of their EDI initiatives as well as measure their progress. Templates and reflection questions are offered.
Developing an Accountability Framework | Government of Newfoundland & Labrador
This reference guide provides an introduction to the concept of accountability frameworks including key components. The information provided in this guide can be adapted for different sectors and contexts.
Creating Anti-Racism and Equity Statements, Strategies, and Plans
Anti-Racism & Equity Statements
TOOLKITCreating DEI-Focused Mission & Mission Statements | CCDI
This toolkit (refer to Appendix B) provides guidance and templates on how to create DEI focused statements.
How to Make Your Commitment to DEI Meaningful | Bow Valley Immigration Partnership
This article provides information and guidance on how organizations can build meaningful EDI statements.
Equity Statement | WoodGreen Community Services
Anti-Racism Sample Statement | Veza Global
Commitment to Equity & Anti-Racism | Nature Canada
Commitment to Equity, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression | Imagine Canada
Racial Equity Strategies & Plans
STRATEGyRacial Equity Strategic Framework | Calgary Foundation
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Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy: 2023-2028 | York University
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Determining Action & Strategy | Racial Equity Tools
This toolkit provides a curated collection of resources to support organizations to develop racial equity strategies and action plans. The toolkit includes examples from numerous organizations
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Creating a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy | CCDI
This toolkit provides a guide for organizations to develop their EDI strategy. It covers how organizations can get started, collect information, set goals, and develop a plan for implementation.
TEMPLATEEquity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy Template | Veza Global
This tool acts as a template to support organizations to develop their own EDI strategy. It includes a self-assessment tool, a maturity model, and tools to guide you towards a strategy.
Principles for Racially Equitable Policy Platforms | Race Forward
This article describes 5 key principles, along with guidance for implementation, that help organizations to advance racially equitable policy platforms.
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Strategic Equity & Anti-Racism Roadmap for Change | University of British Columbia
GuideAnti-Racism & Organizational Change | Canadian Human Rights Commission
This guide from the Canadian Human Rights Commission provides a range of practical suggestions that employers can adopt to advance anti-racism. It includes guidance on developing action plans and assessing results.
Racial Equity Strategic Plan: 2023-2028 | Surrey School District
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility Strategic Plan: 2023-2027 | Kids Help Phone
action planRacial Equity Together: K-12 Anti-Racism Action Plan | BC Ministry of Education & Childcare
planRacial Equity Action Plan | Calgary Foundation
This plan from the Calgary Foundation provides examples of 4 specific actions and associated steps that they are taking to advance racial equity across their organization and in their work.
Racial Equity Organizational Audits
ARTICLEHow to Conduct Racial Equity Audits | Non-Profit Quarterly
This article looks at the role of racial equity audits in an organization’s move toward change. It outlines the key characteristics of an audit to truly make any difference in dismantling racially oppressive structures.
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Who’s Going to Check Them? | The Emancipator
This article discusses how racial equity audits can help organizations to keep their promises to addressing systemic racism. It offers 5 guiding principles that organizations can adopt in their racial equity audits.
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Equity Assessment Tool | Ontario Non-Profit Network
This tool is an example of a simple equity assessment that can support non-profits to start reflecting on their organization’s commitment to racial equity in their policies and practices.
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Organizational Assessment Tools & Resources | Racial Equity Tools
This toolkit offers a collection of resources, tools, and examples of organizational assessments that are useful for organizations to reference and use as part of racial equity audits.
Working with EDI & Anti-Racism Practitioners
GUIDESo You Want to Hire an Equity Consultant? | Equity In The Center
This guide for leaders and organizations provides 10 guiding principles and tools on how to effectively engage and collaborate with consultants to center racial equity.
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Find an Expert | ResilienceBC Anti-Racism Network
This tool is a directory of practitioners in equity, diversity, and inclusion from the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network.
Taking Actions to Advance Racial Equity
Adopting a Racial Equity Lens
TOOLEquity Lens ABCs | University of Victoria
This practical tool supports organizations to apply an equity lens when developing a new initiative, policy, project, event, etc. The tool provides 6 key questions for reflection and analysis to ensure equity is centered.
Embracing an Equity Lens in Organization & Community | Stanford Social Innovation Review
This article shares how a community service organization defined and centered racial equity in their programming for families. It also offers suggestions for other organizations to adopt an equity lens.
Equity & Inclusion Lens Guide | Non-Profit Association of Oregon
This guide provides tools for non-profits to incorporate an equity and inclusion lens across various areas of their work including communications, community engagement, HR, planning, evaluation, and policy development.
Using an Equity & Anti-Racism Lens in Decision-Making | University of British Columbia
This tool provides a list of considerations and guiding questions that support organizations to adopt an anti-racist and equity lens in their decision-making processes as well as to assist them in identifying and mitigating biases.
Collecting and Using Data to Support Racial Equity
REPORTDisaggregated Demographic Data collection in BC: The Grandmother Perspective
This report from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner provides recommendations on how to collect, store, use and disclose disaggregated data in a way that promotes equity and minimizes potential harm. It provides a framework that clearly articulates purpose, process, and tools.
A Framework for Centering Racial Equity Throughout the Administrative Data Life Cycle
This journal discuss how incorporating racial equity across the data lifecycle generates steps towards more equitable practices. It provides a framework for organizations as well as raises awareness about various positive and problematic practices.
Demographic Data to Advance Employment Equity | BC Human Rights Commissioner
This guide from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner provides information on how employers can collect and use disaggregated data responsibly to advance equity in their workplaces. It provides clear processes, tools, and examples to support employers in this work.
TOOLKITCentering Racial Equity Throughout Data Integration | University of Pennsylvania
This toolkit provides resources and guidance on how to center racial equity while using, sharing and integrating data. It covers specific practices from planning to collection to reporting/dissemination as well as case studies.
Understanding & Planning for the Needs of Diverse & Racialized Communities
TOOLKITEquitable Service Planning & Delivery | Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership
This toolkit supports the planning and delivery of services that are accessible by newcomers and racialized communities. Its tools cover 7 aspects of equitable service planning and delivery.
Anti-Racism Toolkit | BGC Canada
This toolkit provides guidance, assessments, and tools to support organizations to build and implement anti-racist programming. It includes implementation guides, facilitation tips, and examples of activities.
GUIDEBeyond Inclusion: Equity in Public Engagement | Simon Fraser University
This guide offers strategies, guidance, and approaches centered on 8 key principles on how to foster meaningful and equitable engagement with diverse communities and center lived experiences.
Nothing Without Us | Stanford Social Innovation Review
This article discusses how organizations can foster social change by actively including people with lived experiences within the organization.
Prioritizing Equitable Communications & Language Accessibility
GUIDEBuilding Capacity to Serve Linguistically Diverse Communities | Impact North Shore
This guide developed by Impact North Shore offers several practical ways that organizations can build their language capacity to better engage, include, and serve linguistically diverse communities.
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Inclusive & Antiracist Language | Simon Fraser University
This guide offers principles of inclusive and anti-racist writing on gender identity and orientation, BIPOC and equity deserving groups, ableism, mental health, and neurodiversity.
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Indigenous Peoples: Language Guidelines | University of British Columbia
This guide aims to foster respectful communication by building understanding about different terminologies and meanings that are associated with Indigenous Peoples.
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Language in Practice: A Toolkit for Equitable Communication | Hua Foundation
This toolkit aims to promote language accessibility by supporting organizations to improve their communications related to publications, service delivery, and consultation.
Actioning Racial Equity in the Workplace through Responsible HR Practices
GUIDEDecent Work & Actioning Equity | Ontario Nonprofit Network
This guide offers a decent work framework to understand equitable working conditions and how to incorporate equity-based practices into workplace policies and culture. It focuses on 5 key areas to ensure equitable and decent work.
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Employer Responsibilities under BC Human Rights Code | BC Human Rights Commissioner
This guide from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner clearly outlines the specific responsibilities of employers to ensure discrimination-free spaces and addresses common questions from employers.
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Anti-Discrimination Policies & Addressing Complaints | BC Human Rights Commissioner
This guide from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner provides information on how to develop effective policies as well as promising practices to address discrimination within organizations for greater accountability.
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Decent Processes for Resolving Conflicts | Ontario Nonprofit Network
This guide offers assessment tools, guidance, and practices for resolving conflict including anti-racist conflict resolution practices.
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Anti-Racism & Organizational Change | Canadian Human Rights Commission
This guide provides a range of practical suggestions, including HR strategies from recruitment to performance development, that employers can adopt to advance anti-racism in their workplaces.
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Braver Conversations: Racial Equity in the Workplace | TEDxTalks
In this video, Channdika Thayver shares takeaways from the racial justice reckoning of 2020. Channdika further shares of the need for grieving spaces, highlighting that BIPOC employees have been asked to keep working in a world that does not allow space to process the rawness of daily grief.
Equitable Hiring Practices Can Help Non-Profits Attract Talent | Imagine Canada
This article discusses the importance of equitable and inclusive hiring practices for non-profits and how it can help them to attract a diverse workforce. It reviews barriers to equitable hiring and HR practices that can be implemented in organizations of all sizes.
Navigating Race in Canadian Workplaces | Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion
This toolkit offers resources to talk about race and racism in the workplace. It also offers examples of various initiatives implemented in Canadian workplaces.
Employment Equity Toolkit | BC Human Rights Commissioner
This toolkit focuses on 5 key employment equity topics: accommodations, compensation, data collection, complaint resolution, and hiring and promotion. Coming from a human rights perspective, the toolkit offers info sheets, guidance, tools, and resources for BC employers.
Rethinking Assumptions: Unpacking Canadian Work Experience | Impact North Shore
This toolkit offers curated strategies and resources to support employers to see beyond the limiting, unnecessary, and biased requirement for Canadian work experience. It also gives suggestions for how employers can onboard and retain im/migrants in their workforce.
Implementing Truth & Reconciliation Actions
PODCASTIndigenous Leaders Discuss Truth & Reconciliation in Nonprofit Sector | CharityVillage
This 2022 podcast episode features Indigenous leaders who share how the non-profit sector can engage in allyship and support Indigenous-led organizations and communities.
Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
This report is a list of the 94 Calls to Action, as outlined by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada. It was created to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Reconciliation
Building Inclusion for Indigenous Peoples in Canadian Workplaces | Catalyst
This report shows the results of Catalyst’s survey to understand the experiences of Indigenous People’s in Canadian workplaces. The report shares actions to build understanding, relationships, and workplaces where Indigenous Peoples belong and thrive.
ReconciliACTION Plans | National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation
This toolkit provides guidance, steps, templates, and sample ReconciliACTION Plans related to the different themes under the 94 Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action.
Knowledge Sharing & Collaboration
Collaborating for Racial Equity
TOOLKITSeed to Harvest: Tools for Collaborative Racial Equity Strategies | Race Forward
This toolkit supports community organizations, advocates, and government in collaborating to advance racial equity. It offers a framework and process to build accountability and provides a tangible pathway to operationalizing collective racial equity values.
Partnering for Impact: From Crisis to Opportunity | Imagine Canada
This report examines 9 case studies of effective corporate-nonprofit partnerships during COVID-19. Each case study offers key takeaways for successes, illustrating how partnerships can create new solutions to magnify their impact.
Centering Equity in Collective Impact | Stanford Social Innovation Review
This article discusses how centering equity can transform collective impact. It also shares 5 specific strategies that can be adopted in this work for a comprehensive and integrated approach.
It’s Time for a New Approach to Racial Equity | McKinsey
This article shares an approach to fostering racial equity through sector-spanning coalitions that are boosted by 5 factors related to unity, coordination, collaboration, accountability, and support.
Success Stories from the Community: Best Practice Case Studies
These best practice case study videos below highlight diverse approaches to advancing racial equity across various sectors in the North Shore. Each organization has implemented unique services and initiatives that address systemic inequalities and promote inclusivity in ways that fit the specific needs of the target audience and community served. By sharing these best practices, we aim to inspire further dialogue and action.
All Success Stories
Impact North Shore is located on the stolen, traditional, and ancestral territories of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, nations. At Impact North Shore, we believe that in order to achieve equity we must intentionally create opportunities and access to resources that reduce the disparities caused by historic injustices and contemporary oppression. We humbly commit to the work of Reconciliation as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and take on our responsibility to “weave a stronger and more vibrant social fabric based on the unique strengths of Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.”