Interfaith Alliance Foundation

Affiliates and partnerships - believing with justice brandeis that "states are the laboratories of democracy," interfaith alliance invests in partnerships with local affiliates and networks in such states as iowa, colorado, wyoming, north dakota, oklahoma, texas, and florida. We mobilize and resource coalitions of clergy and civic leaders, advocates, activists, and allies, trusting that local leaders know best the needs of their communities and can reach and influence a broad range of constituencies. To expand the pipeline of leaders with the capacity for interfaith organizing, ia launched a competitive pilot program, the interfaith leadership network (iln). We supported the formation of 10 diverse faith leaders with training, skill building, networks and resources to initiate pro-democracy projects in their local communities. They joined affiliate leaders and partners from across the country for a community and skill building convening in d.c. That kicked off the 30th anniversary celebration. Interfaith alliance led faith for pride, an effort that mobilized 120+ national and local organizations to work against anti-lgbtq+ legislation; 50 faith for pride events were held in 19 states. In partnership with the southern poverty law center, interfaith alliance convened 60 interfaith leaders in montgomery, al for a countering hate summit that highlighted our interfaith approach to confronting antisemitism and islamophobia as well as hate of other kinds, including against lgbtq people and racial and religious minorities. A mapping project resulted in a white paper, countering hate together, that was widely disseminated to our networks. A major effort this year was developing partnerships with civic national partners to bring a "religion strategy" to their work which has been impacted by christian nationalism and its efforts to control public policy. These groups include the american library association, pen america, the southern poverty law center, democracy forward, and the brennan law center. In preparation for the 2024 election, a defining moment in the fight for pluralistic democracy and against the rise of christian nationalism, interfaith alliance developed the "democracy is in the balance," a non-partisan, values-driven election initiative. This program was designed not only as a timely strategy to counter these emerging threats but as the cornerstone of interfaith alliance's mission to achieve democracy together. Recognizing the significance of this election, the initiative sought to educate, mobilize, and respond effectively, emphasizing the values of religious pluralism, civic engagement, and democracy protection.the initiative's strategic goals were ambitious, but each benchmark was surpassed over the course of 2024. With over 100,000 conversations with voters, numerous virtual and in-person election-focused events, the creation of a messaging guide, and substantial contributions to pivotal victories, the program showcased the power of organized, interfaith action.

Education, narrative, media engagement - many of the political and cultural conflicts present in america involve the question of how religion shall function in our society. Interfaith alliance employs all the tools of communication available in this technological laden moment, including social media, targeted email, content production and a weekly podcast, the state of belief where major leaders from varied sectors discuss the most pressing moral issues of the day. We build integrated campaigns with messages designed to break through noise, frame issues and offer language that gives people hope and inspires mobilization and collective action. Through these varied outlets, interfaith alliance reaches millions of people each year.