About Interfaith Action

Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan (IA) is a collaborative network of faith communities dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and compassion. Rooted in diverse faith traditions, our mission is to put love into action for the healing and transformation of our world. We aim to practice and promote:

• Affirm the inherent dignity and worth of every person

• Promote peace and nonviolence

• Advance justice, particularly for those marginalized in society

• Honor and protect the sacredness of all creation

IA is a 501(c)(3) organization and operates in Southwest Michigan.

Funding Priorities

If IA’s Board of Directors elects to fund external organizations in any year, its funding priorities are in the following areas:

• Environment

• Immigrants’ Rights

• Dignity and Justice for All

• Peacemaking/Gun Violence

• Promoting Pluralistic Democracy

IA’s Board of Directors may elect to approve any deviations from this policy consistent with IA’s mission and governing documents.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

• Be a U.S.-based nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status;

• Operate within Southwest Michigan (defined as Allegan, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren Counties in Michigan);

• Align with one or more of IA’s policy focus areas; and

• Demonstrate sound financial management and organizational capacity.

We do not fund:

• Individuals

• Political campaigns or lobbying efforts

• Endowment campaigns

• General operating expenses

• Organizations without nonprofit status

• Large capital projects (buildings, major renovations)

Grant Size and Considerations

• Grants are one-time rather than multi-year grants.

• IA’s Board of Directors determines each year the total amount available for grants in that year; once all funds are committed, no additional grant requests will be considered for that year.

• Grant requests should include the following:

o How the requestor’s mission and values align with those of IA

o How the request aligns with one or more policy focus areas

o A description of the anticipated impact of IA’s funding

o A confirmation that funds will be used in support of a program or project located in Southwest Michigan as described above

o Other supporters of the program or project and any matching grant opportunities

o Whether anyone listed on IA’s Leadership page on its website are affiliated with the requestor

o Any public recognition of IA as a supporter

Reporting Requirements

• Within six months of receiving a grant from IA, the grantee shall prepare a brief report outlining the use and impact of funds received from IA.

Please send completed grant proposals to: swmichinterfaithaction@gmail.com