Is your DEI Program at Risk for Federal Funding?

Is your DEI Program at Risk for Federal Funding? On January 20th and 21st, Trump signed Executive Order #14151, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” and Executive Order #14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.”

Both executive orders have sent the public and private sector into a state of shock and uncertainty regarding the continuation of DEI policies, practices, personnel, training and related programs. 

“Illegal vs. Legal DEI”
It is the clear that both executive orders as written, are attacking “illegal DEI” and “DEIA” programs, policies and practices that violate federal anti-discrimination and civil rights laws, not DEI programs that are “legal” and follow best practices to expand equal access, remove barriers to equal opportunity, and prevent discrimination.   

DEI programs that are designed using evidenced-based best practices are legal under federal and state civil rights laws, and current legal precedents. Current relevant caselaw indicates explicit hiring quotas or making employment decisions based on a protected class (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender) violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause. There is no court decision that has declared DEI best practices to be inherently illegal. DEI best practices are necessary to promote fair and inclusive workplaces that measure and monitor equal opportunity, favoritism, meritocracy, and potential discrimination.

Our DEI Compliance Check can be customized for nonprofits, foundations, state and local governments, corporations, and includes the following options: 

• DEI Quick Compliance Check ($9,995)
  • Reviews and audits all DEI personnel positions, including DEI task-forces and committees, and validates roles and responsibilities of DEI personnel and committees are in compliance.
    
  • Evaluates all DEI mission and vision statements, webpages, training programs, curriculum, objectives and content, to ensure trainings are in compliance.
    
  • Reviews and audits any DEI resolutions or charges that states an organization’s position and commitment on DEI to ensure compliance.
    
  • Includes final report of overall findings, recommendations and action plan.
    
    

• DEI Comprehensive Compliance Check ($25,000)
  • Includes all components from the above “DEI quick compliance check.”
    
  • Evaluates recruitment strategies within employment, purchasing and procurement, and recruitment of volunteer board and committee members for compliance. 
    
  • Examines policies and practices regarding collecting demographic data on applicants, vendors, contractors, and volunteers, (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender, minority business status) to confirm compliance.
    
  • Evaluates policies and practices for conducting surveys and focus group interviews to understand stakeholder experiences for compliance. Includes final report of overall findings, recommendations and action plan.
    
  • Includes a compliance response letter if contacted by the Federal government regarding your DEI program and federal funding.
    

Contact us now to learn more: [email protected] or 888.369.1339