About
Interfaith America is one of the nation's premier pluralism organizations, dedicated to activating leaders who can build bridges across lines of religious and cultural difference. Founded by Eboo Patel, the organization operates on the principle that faith can be a bridge rather than a barrier, and that cooperation across difference is essential for a healthy civic society. The organization works across three primary sectors: higher education (partnering with campuses to build interfaith cultures among students, faculty, and senior leaders), the workplace (offering corporate training and consulting on interfaith inclusion and workplace health), and civic life (engaging community leaders and emerging changemakers through programs like the Emerging Leaders Network and the Team Up Project). Interfaith America provides an extensive library of evidence-based tools and resources, including structured bridge courses, the Foundations of Interfaith Leadership curriculum, the Faith in Elections Playbook, and Bridgebuilder Basics. They also administer grants and leadership awards to catalyze interfaith work at scale. Their annual Interfaith Leadership Summit brings together practitioners, educators, and civic leaders for shared learning and collaboration. The organization is particularly well-suited for college administrators, corporate diversity & inclusion leaders, community organizers, and educators who want to foster pluralism in their institutions.
Key Features
- Courses, Curricula & Tools: A robust library of research-backed learning resources including Foundations of Interfaith Leadership, Bridgebuilder Basics, and the Faith in Elections Playbook.
- Campus & Corporate Training: Tailored consulting and training programs for higher education institutions and corporate organizations seeking to build pluralistic, inclusive cultures.
- Grants & Leadership Awards: Funding and recognition programs that catalyze interfaith leadership efforts at colleges, workplaces, and within communities.
- Interfaith Leadership Summit: An annual national gathering that convenes campus, civic, and corporate leaders for shared learning, inspiration, and collaboration around pluralism.
- Emerging Leaders Network & Team Up Project: Programs designed to develop the next generation of bridgebuilders and civic leaders who can operate across lines of difference.
Use Cases
- A university administrator uses Interfaith America's campus training program to build an inclusive culture where students from diverse religious backgrounds feel respected and can collaborate.
- A corporate HR leader engages Interfaith America's consulting services to develop workplace inclusion initiatives that address religious diversity alongside other dimensions of identity.
- A civic organization uses the Faith in Elections Playbook to help faith-based community groups engage constructively with local election processes.
- A college student participates in the Emerging Leaders Network to develop interfaith leadership skills and build bridges within their campus community.
- An educator integrates Foundations of Interfaith Leadership into a course curriculum to help students understand and navigate religious diversity in American civic life.
Pros
- Research-Backed Framework: All programs and curricula are grounded in a steady, evidence-based vision for pluralism, ensuring credibility and effectiveness.
- Multi-Sector Reach: Serves higher education, corporate, and civic contexts simultaneously, making the approach broadly applicable across institutions.
- Comprehensive Free Resources: Offers extensive publicly accessible tools, playbooks, and curricula at no cost, lowering the barrier for leaders to get started.
- High-Profile Leadership: Founded and led by Eboo Patel, elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, lending significant credibility and national visibility.
Cons
- U.S.-Centric Focus: Programs and resources are primarily designed for the American context and may have limited applicability for international audiences.
- Institutional Commitment Required: Deeper training and consulting engagements require significant organizational buy-in and coordination, which may not suit smaller or informal groups.
- Limited Self-Paced Digital Courses: Many programs rely on in-person or facilitated formats; fully self-paced online learning options appear limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Interfaith America designed for?
Interfaith America serves college students, campus administrators, faculty, corporate diversity & inclusion professionals, civic leaders, and community organizers who want to build cultures of pluralism and cooperation across religious and cultural difference.
Is Interfaith America free to use?
Yes, many of Interfaith America's resources—including curricula, playbooks, and toolkits—are freely available on their website. Training, consulting, and speaking engagements may involve fees depending on the scope of engagement.
What is the Interfaith Leadership Summit?
The Interfaith Leadership Summit is an annual national conference that brings together campus, civic, and corporate leaders to share knowledge, build skills, and explore a path forward for interfaith cooperation in America.
What is Bridgebuilder Basics?
Bridgebuilder Basics is a course and toolkit developed by Interfaith America that explores the vision, knowledge, and skills required to cross lines of difference and take common action for the common good.
Does Interfaith America offer grants?
Yes, Interfaith America offers grants and leadership awards to support individuals and institutions working to advance interfaith leadership and pluralism in their communities.
