How woke is Classy?

Introduction

Classy, founded in 2006 and based in San Diego, California, is a top online fundraising platform for nonprofits. Initially hosting fundraising events, Classy has grown into a comprehensive software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider, helping nonprofits raise billions for various causes. Their dedication to social justice and progressive values sets them apart in the nonprofit world.

Financial Contributions to Progressive Causes

Classy has helped raise over $30 billion for a variety of progressive causes. They support nonprofits working on environmental sustainability, social good, healthcare, and more.

Their initiatives, like the Classy Awards and ClassyGives, further show their commitment to social activism as these highlight and support progressive causes.

Prioritization of DEI Policies

Classy prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their operations. They release annual DEI reports and maintain employee-led groups to promote an inclusive workplace.

According to their third annual DEI report, Classy took several steps to improve diversity and inclusion in their company. For one, they created a DEI committee with both outside experts and Classy employees to guide their efforts. They also changed their hiring process to make sure each group of job candidates includes diverse people. Further, they created new guidelines for how to treat customers and work with partners in line with their values. These efforts show much they value DEI as a company.

Mandatory Training Sessions

While Classy doesn’t force mandatory training on social issues, they do promote social responsibility through various initiatives.

Employees, for example, are encouraged to take 20 paid hours off to volunteer and give back to the community. “At Classy, we call these “Impact Hours” and we define this as meaningful time spent between employees and nonprofits.”

Monthly development sessions sometimes feature speakers on relevant topics, integrating social responsibility into their culture without making it a requirement​​.

Free Speech Policies

Classy’s Community Guidelines emphasize inclusivity and ban hate speech, discrimination, and violence. While they don’t have a specific “free speech policy,”  their ban on certain types of speech might be viewed as overly restrictive or potentially biased and be used to silence conservative viewpoints.

Support for LGBTQ+ Initiatives

Classy is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ initiatives. Every June, Classy celebrates Pride Month by highlighting LGBTQ+ nonprofits, promoting their events, and encouraging the community to participate. “We should recognize how this month honors the history and ongoing fight for justice among LGBTQ+ people and allies,” Classy states in their blog.

Classy partners with several LGBTQ+ organizations. For example, they support The Trevor Project, which aims to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, by promoting fundraising challenges, Pride events, and educational resources.

Another key partnership is with Radiant Health Centers, a nonprofit providing health services to the LGBTQ+ community and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

Classy promotes their events and campaigns to help boost awareness and funding for their agenda.

Marketing and Branding

Classy’s marketing and branding efforts emphasize social responsibility and activism. As a Certified B Corporation and Public Benefit Corporation, they prioritize environmental sustainability and social good in their corporate initiatives.

In their words: “Certified B Corporations and Public Benefit Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.” 

Stances on Traditional Family Structures

Classy critiques traditional family structures in its active support of LGBTQ+ families through partnerships with key organizations.

The Family Equality Council, a Classy partner, aims “to ensure everyone is free to find, form, and sustain their families by advancing equality for the LGBTQ+ community.”

Another Classy partner is PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), “one of the largest and most well-known nonprofits working to support and advocate for the LGBT community and their family and friends.” These push an agenda that challenges traditional family values.

Criticism of Conservative Values

Classy doesn’t directly say they’re against conservative ideas, but their actions speak louder than words. By supporting things like diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice, they’re clearly taking a political stance that could unfairly advantage left-leaning nonprofits and make it harder for conservative groups and ideas to be heard or supported on their platform.

Conclusion

Classy says they’re committed to social good, but their focus on diversity and progressive causes suggests a particular political leaning. While they claim to be inclusive, their partnerships and initiatives seem to mainly support liberal ideas. This approach might unintentionally sideline more conservative viewpoints and organizations.

Their definition of “inclusive” appears to emphasize certain beliefs over others, potentially overlooking traditional values held by many Americans. By prioritizing progressive issues, Classy may be allocating resources to causes that align with one political perspective, rather than representing a broader range of concerns.