Three-Part Approach to DEI

Our 3-part approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Arcora Foundation’s DEl focus has 3 interrelated parts. We adopted this approach from non-profit social advisory firm FSG.

  • Learning—build understanding of what we don’t know. 
  • Operationalizing—seek ways to incorporate our learning into our approach to work. 
  • Partnering—allow our learning to inform how we approach building trusted relationships with communities and partner organizations. 

Learning

The Arcora Foundation DEI program manager leads staff learning and helps facilitate implementation of the strategic plan through community-centered engagement. All staff members have annual DEI development goals. Staff hold monthly DEI meetings to engage with DEI issues related to our work.

Operationalizing 

Applying what we continue to learn from our DEI journey, Arcora Foundation recently assessed and adjusted our grant application and reporting process. The goal was to make it more accessible and equitable.  

We are collecting information about the dimensions of diversity of applicants’ staff and board leadership. Our intention is to use these data to assess: 

  • How much funding goes to organizations with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leadership. 
  • The reach of our funding to serve BIPOC communities.  

Based on our findings, we’ll determine how we need to shift our outreach, funding, and approach to better ensure we’re living up to our commitment to DEI. 

We incorporate DEI in establishing diverse candidate pools for staff and Board member recruitment. 

Partnering

Arcora Foundation recognizes the importance of inclusivity and cultural appropriateness among providers. We started offering cultural humility training for dentists who are part of our statewide Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program—which helps families with lower incomes access dental care for young children. We also offer DEI continuing dental education training. Our tribal collaborative work and our work with tribal programs is also focused on delivering culturally appropriate care. 

Through partnerships, we work with organizations where we share goals to improve oral and overall health. Examples:  

  • A food bank can connect clients with information on how to find a dentist through DentistLink.  
  • Patients on the SmileMobile can learn about housing and assistance with medical care in the community where the SmileMobile is operating, based on our relationships with organizations in the area.

We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. To learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, contact Arcora at info@arcorafoundation.org.