Demographic Data Collection

To demonstrate our commitment to the values of equity and transparency, we collect demographic information within our grant applications. While information alone can’t transform systems or organizations, we believe that using information in a values-aligned manner can support and enhance our work and contribute to a culture rooted in equity, trust, and transparent learning.  Since we believe it is important to lead by example, Sewall board and staff have provided the same demographic information (see below updated for 2024).

Specifically, we ask* applicant organizations to provide information about their board’s and executive leadership’s:

  • race and ethnicity

  • gender identity

  • sexual orientation

  • disability status

These questions are completely optional, and will not impact an organization's eligibility for funding.

 

Board of Directors

 
 
 

Staff

 
 
 

How we use this information

As part of our equity journey, we asked ourselves: What information do we need to improve out work, and be accountable to our values and mission? How will we use the date we collect to advance our mission? How will we share our learning with others?

Here are some ways that we use this data:

  • To learn more about Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led efforts in Maine, and increase funding for these efforts within our grants portfolio.

  • To track progress and trends over time, allowing us to identify gaps in data and improve our grantmaking approaches.

  • To influence the field, to encourage other funders, in Maine and beyond, to track grantmaking in a manner that is more transparent and creates accountability.

  • We hope to engage in conversations about equity in data collection, consent, and data ownership as we learn more through this process.

*We follow the Guidestar/Candid model for demographic data collection.