Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Shifting and strengthening the power of proximate leaders at the forefront of social justice isn’t just about the work we do. It’s about who we are.

Seven Tides staff members sitting at a long table at the office. Three Tides staff members laughing at the office. A Tides staff member giving a presentation.
Seven Tides staff members sitting at a long table at the office. Three Tides staff members laughing at the office. A Tides staff member giving a presentation.

Why JEDI?

Everything we do starts with justice. Without it, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives appear equitable without actually working to dismantle the harmful power dynamics inherent in traditional philanthropy. Our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) is a commitment to action and accountability that helps shift resources and power to community leaders and organizations that have been historically denied both.

Our JEDI Principles

Our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) shapes our work — from the culture we build across our teams to how we approach social justice philanthropy, advise funders, and partner with changemakers.

Justice

We dismantle oppressive structures that act as barriers to resources and opportunities so that everyone can live a full and dignified life. This calls for removing barriers to achievement within the organization and ensuring that policies and practices are fair and human-centered.

Equity

We seek to recognize and remove implicit and explicit barriers and biases within procedures, processes, and distribution of resources. Tidesters believe in ensuring everyone has the information and resources they need to perform in their roles to the best of their abilities.

Diversity

We put intentional focus on groups who have been traditionally marginalized in dominant society. This means valuing the diversity of our teams and colleagues, and leaning into learning about other identities besides our own. Our collective diversity is an asset to organizational effectiveness because it compels us to integrate our varied backgrounds into our daily work.

Inclusion

Tides creates safe and welcoming environments in which every person can be and feel invited, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. Our responsibility is to ensure that Tidesters feel safe enough to openly share concerns without fear of retaliation.

Our JEDI Commitment

A young Latine person with glasses wearing a yellow backpack smiling and reaching their hand out to a second person on a hiking trail. Photo credit: Getty Images

JEDI is a journey, not a destination. Our commitment is to continue to develop partnerships through which we can shift and strengthen the power of communities historically denied power and direct the resources they need to make sustainable systems change a reality.  

What does this look like in practice? Championing social justice philanthropy, mobilizing resources to support leaders positioned to serve communities historically denied power, supporting community-centered change, and working to develop clear JEDI indicators to hold ourselves accountable. 

Our JEDI Culture

Tidesters believe in a more equitable future that centers community leaders.

  • Tidesters marching outside together with Pride flags.

    Employee Resource Groups

    Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups designed to build community, foster a more inclusive workplace, and allow Tidesters to express their shared values in solidarity. Tides proudly offers four ERGs — API+ ERG, Black Caucus, Latine @ Tides, and LGBTQIA+ ERG — to create space for Tidesters who share a common background or experiences to discuss issues that are important to them, support each other, build fellowship, volunteer, raise funds for causes, and more.

  • Tides Fellow, Stephanie Spencer, standing in front of the Center for Business & Graduate Studies.

    Fellowship

    Part of shifting power means creating pathways into social justice philanthropy and nonprofit work for young leaders. In 2022, Tides partnered with Bowie State University, a public historically Black university, to create a yearlong, paid fellowship program that immerses graduate students in the Partnerships, Finance & Investments, People, Strategy & Impact, and Legal & Compliance departments at Tides. They’ll also be eligible for full-time employment at Tides after completing the program.