Abstract
This study examines how leadership diversity and representation within nonprofit organizations influence community support. Drawing on a national survey of 1,036 nonprofits in the United States, we tested a structural equation modeling linking board racial diversity, CEO racial and gender representation, staff racial diversity, and private donations. We found that nonprofits with more racially diverse boards were more likely to have racially and gender-representative CEOs, who in turn were linked to greater workforce diversity. However, board diversity did not consistently translate into increased donations, suggesting that diverse governance alone may not enhance community support. Notably, CEO gender representation was positively associated with community support, but no significant mediating effects were found in the relationship between board diversity and community support through CEO representation. These findings highlight the complex dynamics between internal representation and stakeholder support. Nonprofit organizations should strategically align diversity initiatives with mission-driven engagement to realize their full value amid intensifying debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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