Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our Values

Illinois Green Alliance firmly believes that environmental sustainability and social justice are inextricably linked and that embracing a wide array of backgrounds, experience and perspectives will allow us to address climate change more effectively. For that reason, we are committed to ensuring our organizational mission and our work to advance that mission are equitable, inclusive, and just. And we are committed to equipping our Board of Directors, volunteer leaders, and staff with tools and mindsets that advance equity, diversity and inclusion in our work and dismantle systemic oppression.

We believe all communities deserve green buildings.

Every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to benefit from proven, practical green building solutions; solutions that improve a better quality of life for all.

Demonstrating our Commitment to ED&I

We are committed to ensuring our organization exemplifies equity, diversity, and inclusion, from its Board of Directors, staff, and constituents. We will continue to engage with our partners, allies, community members, donors, and others to ensure our mission and strategy are equitable, inclusive, and just.


To learn more about our journey, below are a few actionable steps we have taken to continue our transformation.

2023: ED&I Committee Restructured

We restructured our existing committee into an ED&I Task Force that includes representatives from staff, Board Committees, and our different program areas to ensure ED&I is prioritized across the organization and meets as needed.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2022: Equity-Focused Mentorship Program Developed

Illinois Green volunteers collaborated with the ED&I Committee to pilot a mentorship program that matches college students and young professionals with green building professionals focused on diversifying and promoting inclusivity in the building industry.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2022: Staff Policies Updated

A full update was made to policies for employees to make them more equitable and inclusive. New policies include 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, the addition of a floating holiday, and cementing our flexible and hybrid work schedule.

Learn more about staff culture at Illinois Green

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2022: Equity Elements of CEJA Panel Held

Panelists highlighted the equity components of the recently passed Climate and Equitable Jobs Act that will diversify the clean energy workforce, ensure access to renewable energy, and advance net zero buildings for all communities.

View the recording.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2021: Green Building Advocacy Roundtable Held

The panelists explored the link between racial injustices and the climate crisis and how green buildings are a key component to creating equitable, sustainable communities.

Watch the recording.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2021: Racial Equity Training

Cream City Conservation provided a history of the construction of race. The Board, staff, and volunteers examined the relationship between race and inequities in institutional and interpersonal spaces.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2020: BLM Statement from the Board

We released a statement condemning the systemic racism that has contributed to socio-economic and racial injustice. We acknowledge the work our organization needs to do to fight against structures of systemic inequities, privilege, and racial disparity.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2020: Board & Staff Complete IDI Assessment

This assessment examines cross-cultural competencies of the organization and increased organization-level understanding of inter-cultural issues

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2019: First ED&I Roundtable Held

The panelists shared professional and personal insights on what it means to be a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2018: Board of Directors Updates Bylaws

Our membership and Board crafted and approved an update to the bylaws to include a statement to formally monitor and improve diversity & inclusion initiatives across the organization.

2023: ED&I Committee Restructured

We restructured our existing committee into an ED&I Task Force that includes representatives from staff, Board Committees, and our different program areas to ensure ED&I is prioritized across the organization.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2022: Equity-Focused Mentorship Program Developed

Illinois Green volunteers collaborated with the ED&I Committee to pilot a mentorship program that matches college students and young professionals with green building professionals focused on diversifying and promoting inclusivity in the building industry.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2022: Staff Policies Updated

A full update was made to policies for employees to make them more equitable and inclusive. New policies include 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, the addition of a floating holiday, and cementing our flexible and hybrid work schedule.

Learn more about staff culture at Illinois Green

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2022: Equity Elements of CEJA Panel Held

Panelists highlighted the equity components of the recently passed Climate and Equitable Jobs Act that will diversify the clean energy workforce, ensure access to renewable energy, and advance net zero buildings for all communities.

View the recording.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2021: Green Building Advocacy Roundtable Held

The panelists explored the link between racial injustices and the climate crisis and how green buildings are a key component to creating equitable, sustainable communities.

Watch the recording.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2021: Racial Equity Training

Cream City Conservation provided a history of the construction of race. The Board, staff, and volunteers examined the relationship between race and inequities in institutional and interpersonal spaces.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2020: BLM Statement from the Board

We released a statement condemning the systemic racism that has contributed to socio-economic and racial injustice. We acknowledge the work our organization needs to do to fight against structures of systemic inequities, privilege, and racial disparity.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2020: Board & Staff Complete IDI Assessment

This assessment examines cross-cultural competencies of the organization and increased organization-level understanding of inter-cultural issues

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2019: First ED&I Roundtable Held

The panelists shared professional and personal insights on what it means to be a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization.

A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.
A black and white leaf icon on a white background.

2018: Board of Directors Updates Bylaws

Our membership and Board crafted and approved an update to the bylaws to include a statement to formally monitor and improve diversity & inclusion initiatives across the organization.

ED&I Task Force

The Illinois Green Alliance Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee was formed in 2018. In 2022, the committee was evolved into a Task Force to consistently incorporate conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion into all program areas. The Task Force composed of at least one EDI liaison from each program and organizational committee. Currently, these include: Board of Directors, Illinois Green Staff, Programs Committee, Auxiliary Board, Governance Committee, Fundraising Committee, and the Marketing and Communications Committee.

Measuring Diversity Across Illinois Green Alliance

Task Force Members

30 %
Olympic Size Pool

BIPOC

62 %
Olympic Size Pool

women

Membership

30 %
Olympic Size Pool

BIPOC

47 %
Olympic Size Pool

women, non-binary, or gender non-conforming

Auxiliary Board

30 %
Olympic Size Pool

BIPOC

48 %
Olympic Size Pool

women

Feedback?

Have resources, ideas, or questions to share with us? Email Brian Imus - bimus@illinoisgreenalliance.org