The Bay Area Community Foundation (BACF) and several community partners are working to understand experiences of diversity, equity and inclusion in Bay County through community input. 

BACF is funding the initiative which is asking residents to participate in a comprehensive survey designed to assess resident experiences. 

Residents 18 years and older are asked to provide confidential insight on their experiences with police/public safety, business, local government representation, housing and education in Bay County.

Saginaw Valley State University is conducting the study and will analyze data to provide benchmark data for where the community is relative to six components of diversity, equity and inclusion – demographics/socioeconomics, education, housing, police/public safety, business and local government representation. 

The assessment will help the community identify what is being done well and what areas can be strengthened.

“To know where to go, we must understand where we are. Each person in Bay County has a unique lived experience, and we want to know what that is. Decisions about the community should only be made after gathering information from the community…that means you. Your voice matters,” Diane Fong, president and CEO of BACF said in a press release. “This survey gives individuals the power to inform local action through the confidential sharing of their experiences.”

Want more?

Read the full press release.

Learn more about the survey.