Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is part of our mission and aligned to our values.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is part of our mission and aligned to our values.
We recognise that fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace is an ongoing journey. In recent years, we have become increasingly aware of the importance of EDI. This page outlines our vision and the steps we are taking to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within Charity Bank and beyond.
At Charity Bank, our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) goes beyond being just a part of our mission—it is ingrained in our values.
Our objective is to cultivate an inclusive workplace and contribute towards creating a more equitable society that values diversity, ensuring all individuals, regardless of their background, enjoy fairer access to opportunities, resources, and support to thrive.
EDI is not merely a positive change we pledge to drive within the UK and our team; it serves as the guiding force shaping how we operate and catalyse positive social change.
Equity
Equity acknowledges the diverse identities, starting points and needs of individuals, providing fair and just opportunities for all to thrive by eliminating barriers and systemic disadvantages. It also recognises the interconnected nature of identities, which overlap and shape one’s experience.
Diversity
Diversity is about respecting and celebrating human differences, both visible and invisible, bringing forth unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas crucial for innovation, growth, and social change.
Inclusion
Inclusion strives to construct a culture that fosters belonging to enable voices and participation for all. Through the promotion of inclusion, we harness the collective power and potential of our diverse workforce, savers, and borrowers.
We are committed to building a workplace that nurtures inclusion, belonging, and psychological safety, creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute, thereby unlocking the full potential of our employees and driving organisational success.
To effectively address systemic inequalities and achieve EDI outcomes with our borrowers and partners, we are committed to building a diverse workforce reflective of the communities we seek to serve. With their lived experience, a diverse team will empower us to reflect on our biases and offer more accessible service and tailored support to diverse communities, removing barriers to partnerships with savers and borrowers. Through continuous learning and reflection on the EDI journey, our team will be more confident in making informed and inclusive decisions and creating a greater social impact.
Our aspiration is to become a trusted ally for change and the lender of choice within the diverse communities of the social sector, allowing us to reach the most underserved communities, contribute to addressing systemic inequalities, and create a more equitable society. This is achieved through active engagement and listening to the communities we serve, developing products and services targeting organisations that historically faced barriers to accessing finance, and ensuring our services and processes are accessible, equitable, and inclusive. We seek to hold ourselves accountable by enhancing the transparency of our practices and how we invest the money from savers and investors.
We aim to influence the social investment sector in the UK to be more equitable and inclusive. By actively sharing learnings, reflections, and best practices with stakeholders and the wider community, we strive to be transparent and accountable to our clients, investors and partners while challenging biases and inequalities to drive systemic change. Through our products and communication efforts, we endeavour to amplify the voices of the minoritised communities we work with to inspire action and change.
Beyond the fundamental values and principles that define Charity Bank and guide our operations, EDI is our pathway to contributing to creating an inclusive and equitable society for all.
Some of the EDI actions we’ve been embedding:
We’re proud to be a signatory to the Diversity Forum’s Manifesto 2.0. This signifies our commitment to fostering EDI within Charity Bank and actively participating in creating a more diverse social investment landscape.
Diversity Forum’s Manifesto 2.0Our Action Plan emphasises that EDI change begins internally at Charity Bank, enabling us to attract and support diverse borrowers, thereby strengthening community impact and addressing inequalities.
Our action plan is built on three pillars: Mission, Leadership & Power, and Products & Processes.
Mission
Embed specific, measurable EDI vision and goals, considering intersectionality and a broad view of diversity. Implement equitable employment processes, inclusive policies, and remove biases. Regularly monitor EDI performance and progress. Ensure transparent and accessible communication.
Leadership and Power
Increase workforce diversity to reflect the UK population and borrower diversity, promoting diversity at all levels. Foster an inclusive workplace culture and provide psychological safety. Commit to becoming a lender of choice with exemplary inclusivity in financial services and transparent reporting.
Products and Processes
Develop products, services and processes that meet the needs of diverse communities and establish strong relationships with them. Allocate adequate resources to support EDI practices and initiatives. Continuously improve EDI approaches by implementing learnings.
Learn about our initiatives to link our team and stakeholders with social sector organisations and the people they support. This includes project visits, volunteering opportunities, and direct interactions at board and staff meetings.
Together for Good