Nondiscrimination Statement
Why does the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado require that, to receive funding, an organization must have a board-approved nondiscrimination statement that includes sexual orientation and gender expression?
The Gay & Lesbian Fund supports organizations that share our value of advancing equality. For this reason we require all grantees to have an inclusive organizational nondiscrimination policy.
Additionally, Colorado’s Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender expression. Passage of this important legislation makes it now both an ethical and legal imperative to include these terms in your organizational nondiscrimination policies.
Do you have a sample policy?
Yes. Click here to view a sample policy.
Our organization is run by volunteers only. Do we still need to submit a nondiscrimination statement to be considered for funding?
Yes. Even in an organization without employees, the nondiscrimination policy should apply to all board members and to relationships with volunteers, outside vendors and customers, contractors and consultants, as well as members of the general public. All proposals to the Gay & Lesbian Fund must include a board-approved copy of the organization’s employment nondiscrimination policy, which must include sexual orientation and gender expression as protected classes.
My organization is in the process of changing its nondiscrimination statement to include sexual orientation and gender expression, but it may not be completed before the application is due. Can we still apply?
Effective January 1, 2009, an organization must already have the policy in place to be eligible.