The 2008-2013 Strategic Plan for The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy provides Board-approved direction for the Center and guides decision-making by Center leaders, members, staff, and volunteers through 2013.
The Plan is based on the Center’s Vision, a world where people of all faiths cooperate to create compassionate communities that are just, peaceful, equitable and sustainable.
The Center empowers Virginians to create social justice for all by advocating for systemic change—that is our Mission.
Our Values define who we are and the way we live our Vision and Mission:
Learn, Pray, Act — we embrace this cycle to understand, to connect to the power of God, and to advocate for the most vulnerable in our society and the Earth at large. We operate aligned with faith stories and traditions of member religions; we are stronger because we are interfaith focused.
Non-partisan — we have no political affiliation. We focus on our shared principles and vision.
High Impact — we act to make a difference in our communities and the world. Our actions create positive change.
Transformative — we are committed to the progress and advancement of all creation.
Innovators — we reshape the ways people find solutions and act to change systems of oppression and bias.
In Solidarity — we are a voice for the voiceless, using empowerment and self-help we amplify the voice of the marginalized.
In Collaboration — we expand the circle of care by working with others who share a passion for creating justice and sustainability.
The Center works toward five Strategic Goals to shape the future and move toward our Vision
1. Transform Public Policies to Create Systemic Justice
2. Develop and Support an Engaged and Influential Membership
3. Build the Virginia Interfaith Center Public Policy Movement Influence and Expertise
4. Continue Center Success in Incubating Innovative Social Justice Organizations and Practices
5. Stabilize and Sustain Center Infrastructure
Here are the details behind the five goals.
1. Transform Public Policies to Create Systemic Justice
Enhance research-based understanding of marginalization by fostering partnerships with universities, think tanks, and industry to influence public policy.
Influence corporate social policies by exploring market-based approaches (e.g., economic development partnerships with businesses and corporations).
Inform judicatory and faith social policies by working with judicatory and faith stakeholders to influence public policy at local, regional and state levels.
2. Develop and support an engaged and influential membership
Develop and support a strong, informed grassroots network that involves Center stakeholders, and builds on the energy and success of local chapters.
Expand the involvement of Faith Communities beyond the Abrahamic faiths in the mission of the Virginia Interfaith Center.
Expand the Center’s membership among youth, young adults, senior citizens and retirees by giving specific attention to their interests and needs to fulfill the Center’s Mission and Vision.
Cooperate and network with other social justice groups, especially interfaith groups, working on social justice matters in Virginia and collaborate with those groups.
Cultivate the participation of the Center’s constituents, especially those most vulnerable to social injustice, in the work of the Center.
3. Expand the Virginia Interfaith Center Public Policy movement influence and effectiveness
Expand State Policy, Research, and Education Resources by developing and sharing training modules and templates, such as the “Poverty Diet” to strengthen grassroots education and make them available and accessible for members, congregations and Chapters to build the Center’s influence.
Cooperate and network with other groups and stakeholders who share public policy interests of the Center.
4. Continue Center Success in Incubating Innovative Social Justice Organizations and Practices
Implement innovative solutions to influence public policies and corporate social responsibility.
Build on, and model successes of A More Perfect Union, The Commonwealth Institute, Virginia Interfaith Power and Light.
Investigate social/business initiatives such as credit unions, short-term loans, financial counseling modules, community economic development/wealth-building, and establishing green industries.
5. Stabilize and Sustain Center Infrastructure
Diversify and Stabilize the Virginia Interfaith Center Funding Base by creating a specific business model that integrates a variety of funding streams including grants, membership, fee-for-service and innovative partnerships to enable a steady, predictable funding foundation, with reduced risk and increased stability.
Engage in Best Practices for Recruiting and Retention by developing a human capital plan that identifies the human resource needs for fulfilling the goals of the Strategic Plan through 2013 and supporting Center employees.
Adopt best practices in nonprofit governance, fiscal management, mission oversight, employee management, fundraising and other areas by continuing the effort to institutionalize best practices and establishing board committees or task forces to oversee specific areas as needed, such as a Vision and Planning, Human Resources, Board Development / Governance Committees.
Complete the “greening” of the Center’s office and identify the reserves for the maintenance and care of the building