The Universal Benefit of Specific Equity: Why Prioritizing One Identity Lifts Us All
By Niila Hebert and Lisa Joyslin
This blog is the final in a series of posts about lessons learned from mutual aid and neighboring happening in Minnesota in response to Operation Metro Surge. Read the first two pieces here: January, 2026: Volunteerism is Alive and Well: A View from Minnesota
February, 2026: People Trust People: Centering Relationships
In the world of service and community building, we often hear the phrase “all are welcome.” It’s a nice sentiment, but in practice, "all" often defaults to a "neutral" standard that was actually built for a very specific, privileged demographic.
When we try to build for everyone at once, we often build for no one.
At MAVA, we lean into a different philosophy: Prioritizing access and equity for a specific identity or group doesn't just help that group—it creates access and equity for all.
The "Curb Cut" Reality
To understand this, we look to the physical world. In the 1970s, disability advocates fought for "curb cuts"—those small ramps graded into sidewalks. They were designed specifically for people using wheelchairs.
But look at who uses them today:
Parents pushing strollers.
Travelers with rolling suitcases.
Workers with heavy delivery carts.
Children on bicycles.
By solving for a specific barrier faced by one group, the entire community gained a more fluid, accessible way to move. This is the Curb Cut Effect: an investment in one identity yields a dividend for the whole.
Moving beyond "One Size Fits All"
In volunteerism, we have long relied on a "one size fits all" model of engagement. We have standardized onboarding, rigid time commitments, and specific "professional" expectations.
However, when we look at the History of Help, we see that these standards were often rooted in white saviorism and middle-class norms. They weren't designed for the single mother working two jobs, the young person of color in an urban center, or the elder with lived experience in the justice system.
What happens when we shift our focus?
When we intentionally redesign our volunteer programs to prioritize the needs and safety of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergence, and Persons with Disabilities:
We simplify communication: Jargon is replaced with clarity, helping everyone understand the mission.
We increase flexibility: New models of "micro-volunteering" or mutual aid emerge, which benefit busy professionals and students alike.
We deepen trust: By addressing historical harms and power imbalances, we create a culture of belonging that makes every volunteer feel more valued and seen.
How do we know this works in volunteerism?
We know the curb-cut effect works in volunteerism because we’ve seen it in action right here in Minnesota over the past few months.
When Operation Metro Surge threatened the safety and livelihoods of our immigrant neighbors, the needs were urgent and the desire to help was great. Because of the responsive and sometimes covert nature of the work, much of this help was offered outside the structure of traditional nonprofit and government organizations. And, out of necessity, the opportunities often reflected the strategies MAVA has been promoting since 2018 for engaging marginalized communities:
- They were relationship-based: People helped others on a basis of trust and understanding. Instead of background checks, people vouched for one another.
- They were flexible: People could help as they were able, without a set schedule or stringent time commitment.
And with a few simple barriers removed, look at who showed up to help. Yes, people from marginalized communities, if it was safe for them. But also:
People who work full time but could help patrol neighborhoods in the evening.
Students who lacked funds and transportation but bought a whistle and joined a neighborhood signal group.
Parents with busy evenings who packed and delivered food in their minivans while their kids were at school.
Neighbors who couldn’t commit to every Wednesday but were happy to run an errand when needed.
Families with young children who showed up to protest or shop for family together.
Removing barriers and making volunteering more accessible allowed for all these people – plus many more – to step up and help, be involved, and be included.
Equity is not a zero-sum game
There is a common fear that by focusing on a specific group, we are "excluding" others or taking something away. The philosophy of specific equity proves the opposite.
When we dismantle a barrier for the person most impacted by it, we don't just clear a path for them—we widen the road for everyone behind them. We move from a system of exclusion disguised as "neutrality" to a system of inclusion through intentionality.
Join the movement
Redesigning your organization through this lens isn't just about "doing the right thing" for a specific group. It’s about building a more resilient, effective, and human-centered system for every person who wants to serve.
Are you ready to stop designing for the "average" and start designing for equity?
Start today by attending MAVA’s upcoming series and certification program,The History of Help, this May. Learn more and register here.