Equity in Practice
Imagine Canada, in collaboration with Saltwater Learning and Consulting Group, has developed two practical new tools to support organizations that are sustaining and deepening their equity efforts: Equity as a Practice: From Audits to Action and Building Together: Equity Working Groups. Designed for nonprofits and charities that understand equity as an ongoing practice grounded in learning, reflection, and collective action, these resources offer practical ways to stay anchored in values of fairness, respect, and belonging - whether you are strengthening existing initiatives or beginning your journey.
The development of these resources was informed by a collaborative, community-guided process, supported by the Equity Benchmarking Project Advisory Council, whose sector expertise and lived experience helped ensure the tools reflect diverse perspectives and real-world needs.
As the landscape continues to evolve, conversations about equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are shifting - and, in some cases, facing resistance. While terminology and public discourse may change, the commitment to building organizations that are fair, inclusive, accountable, and reflective of the communities they serve remains essential.
These tools build on the foundation of the Equity Benchmarking Project, supported by Scotiabank and other partners and developed in partnership with the Equitable Recovery Collective. The project generated a national survey on EDI practices in Canada’s nonprofit sector. The resulting study, Shifting Power Dynamics: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Nonprofit Sector, is the first of its kind to explore what Canadian charities and nonprofits are doing to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within their organizations. This landmark research provides an in-depth look at how nonprofits across the country are engaging with equity work - and where concrete actions and support are still needed.
Resources
Equity as a Practice: From Audits to Action supports nonprofits in conducting meaningful equity audits - helping teams assess systems, policies, and culture, and transform findings into practical plans for change through guiding steps.
Building Together: Equity Working Groups offers step-by-step guidance to create, structure, and sustain effective equity working groups that build trust, foster accountability, and embed equity across the organization.
The Language and Usage guide provides plain-language explanations of key terms related to oppression, equity, and justice, helping organizations understand how to choose language that fits their context and equity goals.
Together, these tools reframe equity as an ongoing organizational practice rather than a one-time project - one that blends learning, collaboration, and action to drive lasting change in Canada’s nonprofit and charitable sector.
- Start where you are. The guides help nonprofits of all sizes and stages begin or deepen their equity work through flexible, practical approaches.
- Move from reflection to action. Conduct equity audits to uncover strengths and gaps, and use the findings to build concrete action plans for your nonprofit.
- Create spaces for accountability. Learn how to structure equity working groups that foster shared leadership, collaboration, and trust.
- Navigate challenges with care. Understand and address common paradoxes in equity work - from moving slowly with intention to taking bold, necessary steps forward.
- Build long-term impact. Grounded in research, lived experience, and sector insights, these tools help nonprofits strengthen equity, inclusion, and organizational culture over time.
These resources are also featured on HR Intervals, Imagine Canada’s platform for nonprofit human resources knowledge and practice. Visit HR Intervals to explore related articles, tools, and reflections that help organizations put these principles into practice.
This project was made possible thanks to generous support from Scotiabank.
These two new resources were created by Saltwater Learning and Consulting Group in collaboration with Imagine Canada as the second phase of the Equity Benchmarking Project.
The development of these resources was guided by the insights and expertise of sector leaders serving on the Equity Benchmarking Project Advisory Council:
- Abdul Nakua - Muslim Association of Canada
- Anuradha Dugal - Women’s Shelters Canada
- Michelle Baldwin - Impact United Academy and Equity Cubed
- Pamela Uppal-Sandhu - Ontario Nonprofit Network
- Rabia Khedr - Disability Without Poverty
- Rochelle Ignacio - Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement
- Shereen Munshi - The Circle on Philanthropy & Aboriginal Peoples in Canada
We extend our gratitude to all Advisory Council members for their contributions and ongoing leadership in advancing equity across Canada’s nonprofit and charitable sector.
Strengthen your organization’s equity and inclusion practices with Imagine Canada and HR Intervals. Explore the full guides and join our upcoming workshops to learn how to apply these tools in your organization.
Upcoming Workshops
Equity as a Practice: From Audits to Action
Feb. 18, 2026, 1-2pm ET
Learn how to design and conduct an equity audit that leads to meaningful change. Led by Saltwater Learning and Consulting Group, this will help participants assess their organization’s practices and develop actionable plans for improvement.
Equity in Action: Building and Sustaining Effective Equity Working Groups
Feb. 25, 2026, 1-2pm ET
Presented by Saltwater Learning and Consulting Group, discover how to create and sustain effective equity working groups that foster shared leadership, collaboration, and accountability.
Conducting Equity Audits and Creating Equity Working Groups (Session in French)
March 11, 2026, 1-2pm ET
This French-language session combines insights from both guides, helping organizations conduct equity audits and build equity working groups that translate reflection into lasting action.
Stay connected through the HR Intervals newsletter for tools and stories that help nonprofits embed equity in their everyday work.