Membership

Member Benefits

Advancing racial equity in government takes time, energy, and commitment!  Racial equity practitioners embedded in GARE member jurisdictions get exclusive access to GARE network infrastructure and programming where they can cultivate peer-to-peer connections, and learn, apply, practice, and innovate the GARE approach alongside 13,000+ public stewards and colleagues who are doing similar work in 400+ GARE Member jurisdictions.

I’m ready to join the GARE network!

Apply Now

Racial equity practitioners embedded in GARE member jurisdictions enjoy access to: 

  • GARE Online Community
  • GARE Learning Center featuring self-paced learning on Advancing Racial Equity, the GARE Approach, and a brief overview of GARE's racial equity tool
  • Racial Equity InSight
  • GARE In-network Digest
  • Monthly Online Programming and Special Webinars

I want to learn more!

View Membership Overview

Network Engagement

Learning Strategies

Innovation Communities

State Strategies

Data, Measurement, & Evaluation

Membership Eligibility

GARE is a national network of governmental jurisdictions. Given the different types of government jurisdictions, and the needs of one’s jurisdiction or municipality, GARE has three types of membership: core; state/regional; and associate. The type appropriate for your jurisdiction is based on your government structure, who you serve, and your funding mechanisms. 
 
Members are jurisdictions that have made a commitment to advancing racial equity across the breadth (all functions) and depth (from frontline staff to appointed and elected leadership) of their jurisdiction. This commitment can be demonstrated by development and implementation of a Racial Equity Action Plan or Strategic Plan, integration of racial equity into other strategic or operational plans, use of Racial Equity Tools in routine decision making, and/or adoption of legislation which describes the jurisdiction’s commitment. 

Not eligible for membership:

GARE does not currently extend membership to individuals, school districts or school boards, nonprofits (exception: nonprofits whose constituencies are exclusively governments or government employees), sheriffs or police departments. 

“The GARE Membership Meeting is always the one I Iook forward to every year; for making connections, meeting and learning from leaders in the racial equity space and bringing back new strategies and tools. Thank you to everyone who makes it happen!”

- 2023 GARE Membership Meeting Participant

I’m ready to join the GARE network!

Apply Now

Membership Dues

Core Members

Core membership is generally for an entire government jurisdiction (i.e. a city or county) and includes access for each staff member within the jurisdiction. Other examples of jurisdictions that would apply to be core members would be independent agencies that specifically serve government entities – often formed through an act of legislation or executive order.

Examples: Washington County, OR; City of Chicago, IL; Atlanta Beltline, Inc., GA 

Core Members pay annual dues on a sliding scale, based on number of employees:

  • Up to 1,000 employees = 
$1,000 
  • 1,001 to 4,000 employees = 
$5,000 
  • 4,001 to 8,000 employees = 
$7,500 
  • 8,001 to 14,000 employees = $12,500 
  • 14,001 to 20,000 employees = $17,500
  • More than 20,000 employees = $22,500 

A jurisdiction may become a member at any point during the year. 
Annual renewal dates are based on the original date of joining and are subject to completion of the membership renewal process.

State/Regional Agency Members

State/Regional Agency members are an office, division, or department that operates on behalf of the state or serves multiple municipalities or counties. 
 
Examples: California Department of Housing & Community Development, CA; Triangle J Council of Governments, NC 
 
State/Regional Agency Members pay annual dues on a sliding scale, based on number of employees: 
  • Up to 500 employees = 
$2,500/year 
  • 501-4,000 employees = 
$5,000/year 
  • 4,001 – 10,000 employees = 
$8,000/year 
  • More than 10,000 employees = 
$15,000/ year 

Associate Members

Associate members are a department or agency *within* a municipality or county. 
 
Examples: City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, PA; Arlington County Department of Human Services, VA 
 
Associate Members pay annual dues on a sliding scale, based on number of employees:
  • Up to 4,000 employees = $2,000/year 
  • 4,001 – 14,000 employees = $4,000/year 
  • More than 14,000 employees = $6,000/ year

I’m ready to join the GARE network!

Apply Now