FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2021
CONTACT: Heather Cabral, hcabral@faithinaction.org, 202-550-6880
Faith in Action is one of 286 changemaking organizations Scott is funding through a $2.7B grant
WASHINGTON—The largest faith-based grassroots network today received a transformative gift as one of the 286 organizations receiving grants from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Faith in Action will receive a multi-million dollar donation as part of a $2.7 billion dollar grant Scott is putting toward organizations building power within communities to further positive change.
“We at Faith in Action know that faith is not just about religious services each week, it’s about how we walk in our lives every day. We are humbled to be one of 286 organizations whose work is being lifted up, and are supremely grateful for the generosity of Ms. MacKenzie Scott,” said The Rev. Alvin Herring, executive director of Faith in Action. “This gift is transformative for Faith in Action. We have toiled for 50 years, planting seeds. And like Rumi’s words, we deeply understand that this moment requires that we ‘Burn, become light and heat and help. Melt.’ As we center the leadership of everyday folks who aren’t looking for the limelight, we are grateful to Ms. Scott for investing in organizations led by people directly impacted by the issues we care so deeply about. And we are proud of our colleagues in the movement whose tireless work is being recognized.”
The Rev. Michael Ray Mathews, deputy director and chief faith officer, said, “Faith is about doing something even when you are not sure what lies ahead. As we have forged forward in our work to build a truly multi-racial, multi-racial movement for change, we have often stepped forward in faith, knowing and hoping that we would have more resources to do this important work. We believe that we have been faithful stewards of what we have received, and will be faithful stewards of what is to come.”
In a Medium post about her gift, Scott wrote, “…we are all attempting to give away a fortune that was enabled by systems in need of change. In this effort, we are governed by a humbling belief that it would be better if disproportionate wealth were not concentrated in a small number of hands, and that the solutions are best designed and implemented by others.”
Andrea Marta, Faith in Action’s chief strategy officer who has been organizing for more than 25 years, appreciated Scott acknowledging the need for systems change. Marta said, “We are grateful that Ms. Scott saw the importance of centering the leadership of Black and Brown women of faith who are fighting every day for our communities. These are communities that have been harmed by the growing wealth gap. In all recent electoral cycles we followed the leadership of Black and Brown women who held 2 million conversations with voters who are usually ignored. We trust the wisdom of Black and Brown women and so grateful Ms. Scott does too.
Phyllis Hill, national organizing director, said, “This is a small but important step toward leveling the playing field for Black women organizers and faith leaders who have served and organized our communities for generations but too often have been overlooked by those who fund the work.”
Catalina Morales, LA RED formation and coaching manager, said, “Today I am in Washington, D.C. leading a #WeAreEssential Fast for Freedom, for immigrant essential families like mine who are keeping this country going. Hearing this news gives me hope that all the lack of resources immigrant communities face in this country can not just be addressed but also resourced robustly. This grant is so timely for my scope of work as we honor all the directly impacted immigrants and clergy who are fasting this month.”
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Faith in Action, formerly known as PICO National Network, is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information, visit www.faithinaction.org.
Faith in Action is a 501c(3). Faith in Action and its affiliates are non-partisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.
