There is a movement of congregations uniting people of faith to confront racism and decry economic exclusion. Faith in Florida is finding its footing in one of the most dynamic states in the union, striving daily to redefine the way Floridians of all creeds interact with their communities and transform their compassion into civic action.

Philanthropy could be a tremendous asset to their development, so long as funders are willing to forge partnerships with Faith in Florida that are open, dynamic and empowering.

The foremost challenge slowing religious organizing in Florida is the racial segregation of its congregations. Few relationships exist between white, black and brown institutions of faith. As such, stereotypes and assumptions have proliferated among these disparate groups, and they persist unchallenged because the communities are so isolated.

A primary goal driving Faith in Florida’s work has been to create a space in which people, especially black and brown people of faith, can see their issues and potential campaigns as part of a larger story. This remains a work in progress, but Faith in Florida is making its way there.

The organization has collected more than 7,000 signatures in favor of putting the restoration of voting rights for returning citizens on the ballot statewide in 2018. If the initiative is successful, it would dismantle a policy that disenfranchises 1.5 million Floridians — a disproportionate number of whom are persons of color.

Read the full article about Faith in Florida's effort to eradicate social injustice by Troy Price at ncrp.org.