At Raise Foundation, we are committed to creating safe, inclusive and empowering spaces — for young people, mentors, employees and our wider community.

We believe diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are not just values — they are essential to fulfilling our purpose of improving the social and emotional wellbeing of young people. By creating an environment where everyone can belong and contribute, we strengthen the impact of every mentoring connection we support.

Our commitment

We welcome and value people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability (both seen and unseen), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all social classes, and those diverse in gender identity and sexual orientation.

We recognise and respect all differences in people and believe that having team members and mentors from marginalised communities brings essential perspectives and diversity of thought. These insights make our organisation stronger and help us better understand and support the young people we serve.

Raise is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that encourages flexible work arrangements and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to thrive.

 

Our approach

At Raise, diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded across our organisation — not as standalone efforts, but as part of how we lead, listen and make decisions every day.

We are focused on reducing barriers and creating safe, inclusive environments where all people — especially young people — feel seen, heard and supported.

Our approach includes:

  • Programs designed to create safety, connection and belonging in every mentoring relationship — guided by our comprehensive Youth Safety Framework and a strong evidence base.
  • Recruitment and training practices that actively seek and value lived experience.
  • Internal policies and processes that integrate lived experience into our work.
  • A culture of care, flexibility and psychological safety for our staff, volunteers and partners.


Above all, we put young people at the heart of everything we do. One way we do this is through our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) — a group of young leaders who help guide our direction and ensure relevance.

 

Inclusion in action

  • "My mentor encourages me to talk more, and it makes me feel seen and heard, despite us being so different." – Mentee

  • "I met mentors from different backgrounds and have learned that people might have different perspectives on the same matters. There was so much encouragement and acceptance around the sessions that I have developed my self-awareness and self-confidence." – Mentor

  • “Raise has provided me with a safe and inclusive environment where I can truly be myself.” – Raise employee


We’re proud that:

  • 98%

    of mentees said they felt safe talking to their mentor

  • 82%

    of mentees said they felt safe talking in their mentoring group

  • 85%

    of mentors report increased confidence in creating inclusive environments

  • 89%

    of employees believe Raise fosters a culture of inclusion and belonging


Our DEI forum

The Raise DEI Forum is an open, staff-led platform for driving our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. It plays a key role in reviewing our policies, shaping our initiatives and ensuring accountability.

All staff are welcome to join or attend the DEI Forum. New members are encouraged to express interest at any time. The Forum ensures a wide range of voices are heard and that DEI remains central to how we work and grow.

 

Building an inclusive community

Creating an inclusive Raise means building safe, welcoming communities for young people, families, mentors and schools. We are committed to:

  • Listening deeply to young people and centering their experiences
  • Strengthening partnerships with diverse communities
  • Celebrating difference and amplifying lived experience
  • Providing flexible and accessible opportunities to get involved
  • Embedding equity in everything we do


Together, we are creating a future where every young person feels safe, supported and connected, and where everyone at Raise has the opportunity to belong and thrive.

 


Governance, evaluation and partnerships

Our commitment to DEI is supported by clear policies and ongoing reflection. We have implemented internal guidelines — including our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy — that guide how we work, lead, and engage.

We also evaluate our programs annually through feedback from mentees, mentors, schools and staff. These insights shape our continuous improvement and help ensure we make a meaningful difference.

Raise is a proud member of Diversity Council Australia — reflecting our commitment to learning, accountability and building inclusive communities beyond our own organisation.

 

Diversity Council Australia