Help Us Raise $3,000 toward a Gannett Grant
Earlier this year we held an organizational fundraiser and we are grateful for your generous support. Now we are asking your help again--this time to raise $3,000 as a match required for Gannett's A Community Thrives philanthropy program.
In 2021 the InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit received a $20,000 grant from A Community Thrives. These funds were used for Religious Diversity Journeys and to start the Bridging to Belonging: An Interfaith Community Values Project. We have applied for another Gannett grant--in their 2022-23 cycle--to continue these two important programs:
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To assist in the transition of Religious Diversity Journeys (RDJ) to its original in-person immersive educational experience. When the pandemic closed schools and houses of worship Religious Diversity Journeys shifted to a multi-media online curriculum enabling students to participate from any location. Now local schools and houses of worship have reopened and RDJ can begin to offer in-person journeys for 7th graders, although with COVID precautions. These safety protocols and changes within school budgets will affect RDJ operating costs. Also, the InterFaith Leadership Council is committed to participation by all interested schools, regardless of their ability to pay, so funds are needed for subsidies.
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To expand Bridging to Belonging: An Interfaith Community Values Project beyond its pilot stage—enhancing the curriculum and expanding its reach into diverse communities within our region. Participants have found this interfaith values discussion series to be very meaningful. Here are some comments from participants:
“Removes prejudice makes you less judgmental, see people with openness, and a willingness to engage. See other people in more nuanced ways instead of binaries and absolutes. “
“This life is an opportunity for us to build connections and faith - surround myself with diversity of ideas and people - my thinking can become more whole.”
“Pushes boundary of what you think of as your community, can find things that resonate with others, can appreciate, learn, and shift your focus of understanding.”
In order for the InterFaith Leadership Council to be considered for a grant we must raise matching funds of at least $3,000 between Tuesday, July 19 and Friday, August 12. Please consider making a gift from July 19 through
August 12 by clicking on this link: https://mtyc.co/k8xqef or visit detroitinterfaithcouncil.com.
Individuals who donate $150 or more (the cost of one student’s participation in Religious Diversity Journeys) will be able to join a group of students on a journey during the 2022-2023 school year, if desired.
