Our Mission
We are committed to a world that is more just, verdant, and peaceful.
The world is more just when actions are moral, rational, and fair—and when barriers to opportunity are removed to provide equitable access, treatment, and consideration. The world is more verdant, when the planet and its people flourish. The world is more peaceful, when people are free from fear, conflict, violence, and war.
Living Our Mission: The Just Imperative
We live our mission through the Just Imperative, which charges us to lead with a commitment to justice.
We believe that justice is the essential condition for human dignity, opportunity, and shared prosperity.
The Just Imperative requires that we interrogate our decisions and actions to ensure that they enhance the conditions in which justice can flourish.We are focused on creating structures, systems, and practices so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive—free from racism and injustice.
Values
The Just Imperative is grounded in our values.
Diversity includes all the ways that people differ, encompassing the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. A wide range of experiences and perspectives helps us think more creatively and leads to better outcomes for everyone.
Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while also striving to identify and eliminate barriers to opportunity that have prevented full participation of some individuals and groups.
Inclusion is the act of creating authentic environments in which all individuals and groups can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. We are all stronger when everyone has what they need to live healthy, meaningful lives.
The Just Imperative is centered on racial and ethnic equity, because tackling the world’s biggest challenges requires a variety of viewpoints. We apply an intersectional framework—taking into consideration how identities and characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and disability overlap. We apply this framework in compliance with the law.
Approach
Guiding our decisions and actions in pursuit of fair treatment and advancement for all people requires us to acknowledge and address the structures, systems, and practices that have currently and historically perpetuated unjust access to opportunities. Our grantmaking follows a four-step process designed to support innovative thinking and community-driven change.
We will work to create change in communities in the United States, Nigeria, and India where our offices are located so that more people have the opportunities to flourish and thrive.
It is a Journey
We understand this is a high standard, hard work, and a journey that does not end. It will require all of us to do the work at the individual, interpersonal, and systemic levels. We will not get it right every time; but what is important is the commitment and consistent efforts to incorporate the Just Imperative into our work and our lives.
Learn more about our initial and continuing updates on the Just Imperative.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Design and Build Approach