Bringing about diversity: obstacles and chances for diversity oriented organization development in foundation

Consensus and Conflict Department

Project head: Dr. Annett Gräfe-Geusch ,  Prof. Dr. Sabrina Zajak

The diversification of employment structures is becoming increasingly important in all sectors of the labor market as part of the change process towards a post-migrant society (Foroutan 2019). Diversity initiatives in Germany have become important organizational development tools not only in the private and public sectors (Ette et al. 2021; Arnu et al. 2023), but also in the non-profit sector (cf. Engelke et al. 2016; Schmidt n.d.). Improving equal opportunities for all is also considered an important principle of good foundation action (cf. Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen 2019). Nevertheless, underrepresentation (Arnu et al. 2023; Ette et al. 2021; Vogel and Zajak 2020; Kollmorgen et al. 2024; Heger and Heft 2022; #VertrauenMachtWirkung 2020) and discrimination mechanisms (Koopmans et al. 2018), for example against people with a history of migration, can be found in almost all areas of the labor market. The recruitment process in particular - from advertising to onboarding - is an important starting point for overcoming this underrepresentation. Since foundations are not only an important employer, but also actively shape social diversity in Germany through their project and scholarship funding, they have a special role to play in diversity-oriented organizational development. However, we know little about the exclusion mechanisms and barriers that operate in the foundation sector and are perceived by potential applicants from groups that are vulnerable to discrimination.

The project "Vielfalt stiften" is being carried out as part of a cooperation with the Deutschlandstiftung Integration (DSI), in which the DSI assumes responsibility for the organization, monitoring and implementation of three-month internships in the foundation sector, and the DeZIM scientifically accompanies the project as a case study and supports its conception. The outlined project is thus intended to contribute to closing this gap in knowledge and provide a decisive impetus and empirically based recommendations for action for the desired diversification of foundations by looking at the differences and hurdles in access primarily from the perspective of the applicants. To this end, external perceptions of foundations as potential employers, the perception of the working culture in foundations, but also the perspective on diversity of the foundations' HR staff are examined.

"Vielfalt stiften" is a program of the Deutschlandstiftung Integration (in cooperation with the DeZIM Institute) funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Stiftung Mercator.

Funding: Robert Bosch Foundation and Mercator Foundation (Third-party funding)

Cooperation partner:

Deutschlandstiftung Integration