Our Core Values – Ensemble Washington

Inclusivity

Inclusivity is the foundation of our work. We believe everyone deserves a seat at the table; not as tokens, but as valued participants whose voices shape decisions and whose experiences inform our programs. True inclusivity requires actively removing barriers to participation, whether physical, economic, linguistic, or systemic.

We create spaces where people from all backgrounds feel genuinely welcomed and empowered to bring their authentic selves. This means designing programs with accessibility built in from the start, honoring diverse communication styles and cultural practices, and continuously adapting based on community feedback. We intentionally center those whose voices have been historically excluded, particularly BIPOC communities, immigrants, and low-income families; not just inviting people into existing structures, but reimagining those structures to serve everyone equitably.

Accountability

Accountability is the cornerstone of trust. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of transparency and responsibility, answering first and foremost to the communities we serve. Their needs and feedback guide our decision-making, and we regularly assess whether our programs meet their goals.

We practice accountability through transparent communication about our successes and failures, our finances and decision-making. We track meaningful metrics that measure real impact, acknowledge when we fall short, and commit to doing better. We regularly examine our own practices, from hiring to resource allocation, to ensure they align with our values. We invite external feedback as an opportunity for growth and understand that trust is earned through consistent actions over time.

Impact

Impact is the measure of our purpose, the tangible, lasting difference we make in lives and communities. We create deep change that transforms systems and shifts power, not just temporary relief. Every program we undertake is designed with measurable impact in mind, but we define success holistically, tracking not just numbers served, but growth in confidence, expanded networks, preserved culture, and strengthened community bonds.

Our commitment to impact means prioritizing programs that address root causes over symptoms, seeking scalable solutions, and building community capacity so change continues beyond our involvement. We let communities define what success looks like rather than imposing predetermined outcomes, and we take a long-term view that extends beyond annual grant cycles. We ask not just “How many?” but “How well?” and “How sustainably?”

Innovation

Innovation drives our ability to meet evolving challenges with creative solutions. We refuse to accept “that’s how it’s always been done” as justification for ineffective practices. Instead, we approach problems with curiosity, experimentation, and willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of better outcomes.

Innovation doesn’t always mean technology or novelty, sometimes it means applying proven solutions in new contexts, combining approaches in unexpected ways, or listening deeply enough to understand problems differently. We foster innovation by building diverse teams, encouraging questioning of assumptions, and creating cultures where “failure” becomes valuable learning. We stay current with emerging best practices while remaining grounded in community realities, and we’re willing to think bigger and pursue transformative solutions even when they seem audacious.