Interfaith Leadership and Religious Literacy Program Area Grant - Creating Opportunities for University Interfaith Engagement

Overview

Funder: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations

Award Amount: $102,363

Program Title: Creating Opportunities for University Interfaith Engagement

Geographic Scope: University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois

Focus Areas:

Interfaith engagement and religious literacy

Multi-faith conversations and collaborations

Student spiritual development and leadership

Creating welcoming community for students of diverse faith backgrounds

Program Description

This grant supports the University of St. Francis in creating space for courageous multi-faith conversations and collaborations on campus. The award enables the university to develop:

A toolkit for interfaith engagement on campus and in the wider spiritual community

Programming to help students feel welcomed, supported, and prepared to engage with religious diversity

Enhanced religious literacy among faculty and students

Increased confidence in students' ability to engage in respectful dialogue with people of diverse beliefs and perspectives

Planned Activities

• Research through surveys and listening sessions to gather information about the needs of people from various faith communities on campus
• Support for the formation of student-led faith clubs with faculty mentorship
• A new course to engage students in courageous multi-faith conversations
• Professional development workshops for faculty, staff, and administration
• Interfaith Dinner Conversations with religious leaders from the local community

Project Leadership

Project Investigator: Dr. Abigail Gomulkiewicz, Assistant Professor of History at USF

Steering Committee: Faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences and administration from Academic Affairs and Mission Integration

Grant Manager: Jonathan Shinabarger

Dean: Dr. Elizabeth McDermott, Dean of the USF College of Arts & Sciences

About The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations

Established in 1952, supported by two trusts established by Mr. Arthur Vining Davis. Since inception, the Foundations have awarded over 4,600 grants totaling more than $385 million to support:

Inclusive higher education and healthcare

High-quality public media

Vibrant spiritual communities

A clean environment

Website: avdf.org

Eligibility

This was an awarded grant to University of St. Francis. Contact information for inquiries:
University of St. Francis
500 Wilcox St., Joliet, IL 60435
800-735-7500
information@stfrancis.edu