Interfaith Alliance

What it reported doing in 2024

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.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 63.4%; rating input score 63
• Program expense ratio: 67.4%; rating input score 67
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.44 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 7.9%; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.92; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.09; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 16.6%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11% per year; rating input score 100; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.1% per year; rating input score 100; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 15.8% per year; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings