AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRGINIA INTERFAITH CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY

How is the Virginia Interfaith Center governed?

The Virginia Interfaith Center is governed by a Board of Directors. Some directors are elected at the annual general membership meeting by members in attendance and by proxy ballots. Other directors are appointed by sponsoring faith communities. The Board hires the Executive Director, sets the budget priorities, and approves the legislative agenda.

Is the Virginia Interfaith Center tax exempt?

YES! The Interfaith Center is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501(c)(3) organization, therefore membership dues, contributions to the endowment fund, and all other contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

IRS regulations permit the participation of tax-exempt, faith based organizations in limited, defined lobbying efforts.

Most of our activities, such as our research and flagship educational program, Social Justice U., are not considered “lobbying” by the IRS. Advocacy trainings and issue oriented forums are actually educational events, not lobbying.

Examples of lobbying are meeting with a legislator or legislators discussing specific legislation and distributing action alerts to our grass roots network regarding specific legislation. Simply put, lobbying is trying to influence a legislator to vote a particular way on a specific bill.

Do you endorse candidates?

As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the Virginia Interfaith Center is prohibited from endorsing candidates for any political office. We may and do engage in issue oriented discussions with candidates, but never endorse any candidate or political party.


Want know more about what non-profits can and can not do in the public square? <click>

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)

Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)

Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)

FAQ's (link)

Your donation helps the Interfaith Center advocate for a more compassionate Commonwealth. Your gifts support trainings, advocacy, community programs, and briefing development. Get involved and begin to Learn Pray and Act with us. Together we can!