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FIAD Evidence Survey

About this undertaking.

PACE wants to make the case to philanthropy that: 
  1. Faith, faith communities, and faith-inspired organizations make a positive influence and impact on democracy and civic life, and 
  2. Faith-inspired organizations and projects deserve philanthropic investment. 
To help us do so, we are seeking help from practitioners and philanthropists in the field to gather evidence supporting this case. We hope you will contribute to our evidence base by recommending supporting information related. Of particular interest are eight evidence categories identified through Faith In/And Democracy activities over the last three years. 
  1. Faith-inspired organizations build and sustain place-based civic infrastructure
  2. Faith-inspired organizations address civil rights, promote equity, ameliorate oppression
  3. Faith-inspired organizations help navigate crisis moments (natural and human-made)
  4. Faith-inspired organizations support civic character development
  5. Faith-inspired organizations call us to our “better angels” in support of the common good
  6. Faith-inspired organizations promote civic behaviors (e.g. voting, volunteerism, etc)
  7. Faith-inspired organizations support pluralism and bridge-building in intra-or interfaith settings
  8. Faith-inspired organizations combat authoritarianism and white supremacy
What evidence would you point to if you were going to demonstrate faith has the power to influence democracy in these ways? What evidence do you lean on to make this case in your work?  (Please note: While we recognize that there is counter-evidence refuting these hypotheses, our intent with this project is to build the supporting case.) 

Please input your evidence using one of the following designations.
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative evidence, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Thank you so much for your input! We greatly appreciate your help in building this case and helping us map organizations working in this field. When you submit this form, you’ll receive a copy of your submission via email. 

To learn more about PACE’s Faith In/And Democracy initiative, please visit  PACEfunders.org/faith. Questions? Email us: faith@PACEfunders.org
This question requires a valid email address.
5. Would you prefer to tell us about relevant evidence via a phone or Zoom call? If you select 'yes', we’ll follow up with you to schedule it.
6. Please select which issue areas you would like to provide evidence to support. (Select as many as relevant. Fields will expand upon selection.): *This question is required.
FAITH-INSPIRED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC LIFE BY BUILDING AND SUSTAINING PLACE-BASED CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE. 

The assumptions/beliefs that lead us to think this is true:
  1. Houses of worship are anchor institutions in communities, whether urban, rural, or suburban, but particularly in places without a lot of other public space infrastructure and/or social service support.
  2. Houses of worship have deep, generational roots in place.
  3. Faith-inspired leaders and institutions have high levels of public trust in their communities. 
  4. Many service institutions (such as hospitals, social service providers, schools, etc.) were established by religious groups as an expression of their religious teachings and values
YOUR CHARGE: Please add evidence that validates/affirms our hypothesis that faith-inspired organizations build and sustain civic infrastructure.
7. We seek empirical evidence that validates or affirms elements of our hypothesis. Evidence can be qualitative or quantitative, in a variety of formats. Please include links to or citation of sources if at all possible.

The evidence labels are:
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative analysis, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Space Cell Evidence description (what does the evidence demonstrate or prove?)Evidence source (link or citation, if you know it)Please designate “data," “organization," “expert" or “narrative" for this evidence.
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Evidence 5
FAITH-INSPIRED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC LIFE BY ADDRESSING CIVIL RIGHTS, PROMOTING EQUITY, AND HELPING AMELIORATE SYSTEMS OF INEQUITY OR OPPRESSION.

The assumptions/beliefs that lead us to think this is true:
  1. Religious and spiritual traditions shape personal and communal values that compel care and dignity for humanity.
  2. Religious and spiritual resources (such as knowledge, tradition, institutions and practice) both shape policy and have the potential to prompt societal transformation in uniquely powerful ways.
  3. Religious institutions and leaders are often the first community members to embrace immigrants and refugees (and may be their first institutional connection; many resettlement groups have been started by faith-based organizations).
  4. Religious institutions and people contribute to significant portions of the social safety net and provide a network of care for the homeless, the poor, victims of natural disasters, and other vulnerable populations.
YOUR CHARGE: Please add evidence that validates/affirms our claim that faith-inspired organizations address civil rights, promote equity, and/or help ameliorate systems of inequity or oppression.
7. We seek empirical evidence that validates or affirms elements of our hypothesis. Evidence can be qualitative or quantitative, in a variety of formats. Please include links to or citation of sources if you know them.

The evidence labels are:
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative analysis, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Space Cell Evidence description (what does the evidence demonstrate or prove?)Evidence source (link or citation, if you know it)Please designate “data," “organization," “expert" or “narrative" for this evidence.
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Evidence 5
FAITH-INSPIRED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC LIFE BY HELPING NAVIGATE CRISIS MOMENTS (INCLUDING EMERGENCIES, DISASTERS, AND FLASHPOINT MOMENTS).

The assumptions/beliefs that lead us to think this is true:
  1. Religious and spiritual leaders are skilled at conflict mitigation/mediation and are trusted and diplomatic messengers.
  2. Houses of worship are community hubs and gathering places in times of need because the buildings are often large and versatile.
  3. Faith offers certainty, strength, and solitude in times of crisis and concern, including safety and shelter. Religious institutions have made investments in relationship infrastructure that can be quickly and nimbly deployed as needed.
YOUR CHARGE: Please add evidence that validates/affirms our claim that faith-inspired organizations help navigate crisis moments (including emergencies, disasters, and social/political flashpoint moments).
7. We seek empirical evidence that validates or affirms elements of our hypothesis. Evidence can be qualitative or quantitative, in a variety of formats. Please include links to or citation of sources if you know them.

The evidence labels are:
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative analysis, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Space Cell Evidence description (what does the evidence demonstrate or prove?)Evidence source (link or citation, if you know it)Please designate “data," “organization," “expert" or “narrative" for this evidence.
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Evidence 5
FAITH-INSPIRED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC LIFE BY SUPPORTING CIVIC CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.
The assumptions/beliefs that lead us to think this is true:
  1. Religious and spiritual traditions call people to be virtuous and have integrity.
  2. Religious and spiritual traditions compel care for neighbors, earth, and humanity beyond self.
  3. Faith calls for self-reflection, humility, and curiosity.
  4. Faith supports agency/power building.
YOUR CHARGE: Please add evidence that validates/affirms our claim that faith-inspired organizations support civic character development.
7. We seek empirical evidence that validates or affirms elements of our hypothesis. Evidence can be qualitative or quantitative, in a variety of formats. Please include links to or citation of sources if you know them.

The evidence labels are:
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative analysis, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Space Cell Evidence description (what does the evidence demonstrate or prove?)Evidence source (link or citation, if you know it)Please designate “data," “organization," “expert" or “narrative" for this evidence.
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Evidence 5
FAITH-INSPIRED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC LIFE BY CALLING US TO OUR “BETTER ANGELS” IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMON GOOD.

The assumptions/beliefs that lead us to think this is true:
  1. Religious and spiritual traditions provide the motivation/framework to consider the common good over self-interest.
  2. Religious and spiritual traditions call us to see the best in others, offer them grace, and work for their betterment.
  3. They call us to values of respect for others and integrity about how we treat others.
  4. Faith-based dispositions and aptitudes map onto the civic traits and skills democracy requires of its citizens.
YOUR CHARGE: Please add evidence that validates/affirms our claim that faith-inspired organizations call us to our “better angels” in support of the common good.
7. We seek empirical evidence that validates or affirms elements of our hypothesis. Evidence can be qualitative or quantitative, in a variety of formats. Please include links to or citation of sources if you know them.

The evidence labels are:
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative analysis, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Space Cell Evidence description (what does the evidence demonstrate or prove?)Evidence source (link or citation, if you know it)Please designate “data," “organization," “expert" or “narrative" for this evidence.
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Evidence 5
FAITH-INSPIRED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC LIFE BY PROMOTING SPECIFIC CIVIC BEHAVIORS, E.G. VOTING, VOLUNTEERING, ADVOCACY.

The assumptions/beliefs that lead us to think this is true:
  1. Faith-based organizations give us a way to put values and beliefs into practice in public life and are therefore critical democratic institutions.
  2. Religious and spiritual leaders are trusted and influential messengers when issuing calls to action.
YOUR CHARGE: Please add evidence that validates/affirms our claim that faith-inspired organizations promote specific civic behaviors, e.g. voting, volunteering, advocacy.
7. We seek empirical evidence that validates or affirms elements of our hypothesis. Evidence can be qualitative or quantitative, in a variety of formats. Please include links to or citation of sources if you know them.

The evidence labels are:
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative analysis, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Space Cell Evidence description (what does the evidence demonstrate or prove?)Evidence source (link or citation, if you know it)Please designate “data," “organization," “expert" or “narrative" for this evidence.
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Evidence 5
FAITH-INSPIRED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC LIFE BY SUPPORTING PLURALISM/BRIDGE-BUILDING IN INTRA-FAITH OR INTERFAITH SETTINGS.

The assumptions/beliefs that lead us to think this is true:
  1. Outreach to others is a core part of most religious and spiritual traditions.
  2. Religious identity is arguably the most important identity characteristic for people of faith, and race and gender dynamics often intersect with religion.
  3. Multiple identity development is an important pre-condition to pluralism and social cohesion.
  4. Interfaith marriage rates have risen in recent years and people with multiple faith backgrounds in their family/identity are able to empathize and bridge effectively.
YOUR CHARGE: Please add evidence that validates/affirms our claim that faith-inspired organizations support pluralism/bridge-building in intra-faith or interfaith settings.
7. We seek empirical evidence that validates or affirms elements of our hypothesis. Evidence can be qualitative or quantitative, in a variety of formats. Please include links to or citation of sources if you know them.

The evidence labels are:
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative analysis, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Space Cell Evidence description (what does the evidence demonstrate or prove?)Evidence source (link or citation, if you know it)Please designate “data," “organization," “expert" or “narrative" for this evidence.
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Evidence 5
FAITH-INSPIRED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC LIFE BY COMBATING AUTHORITARIANISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY.

The assumptions/beliefs that lead us to think this is true:
  1. Many religious and spiritual leaders speak out publicly and within their congregations to challenge authoritarianism and white supremacy.
  2. The Black Church and its leaders have had a unique role in American life, providing refuge and calling Americans to reckon with authoritarianism and white supremacy.
YOUR CHARGE: Please add evidence that validates/affirms our claim that faith-inspired organizations combat authoritarianism and white supremacy.
7. We seek empirical evidence that validates or affirms elements of our hypothesis. Evidence can be qualitative or quantitative, in a variety of formats. Please include links to or citation of sources if you know them.

The evidence labels are:
  • Data (quantitative reports, articles, statistics)
  • Narratives (qualitative analysis, case studies/stories of impact, change, outcomes)
  • Organizations (outstanding organizations working in this sphere on the local, regional or national level)
  • Experts (scholars, practitioners, clergy, social scientists)
Space Cell Evidence description (what does the evidence demonstrate or prove?)Evidence source (link or citation, if you know it)Please designate “data," “organization," “expert" or “narrative" for this evidence.
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Evidence 5
8. Would you like to receive future communications and updates from PACE related to other programs or news? *This question is required.
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