About PACT
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the initials in PACT stand for?
Why the focus on congregations and faith?
What kind of congregations does PACT work with?
How does a faith institution get started with PACT?
What issues does PACT work on?
Where does PACT get its funding?
Is PACT aligned with a political party?
What do the initials in PACT stand for?
People Acting in Community Together
PACT is an inter-faith, multi-ethnic grassroots organization that empowers everyday people to create a more just community. We believe that real democracy can only be achieved when everyday people have the skills, organization, and opportunity to advocate for themselves in the public arena. Through PACT, people from different ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds learn to work together to solve the most pervasive social problems of our day, such as failing public schools, housing that is too expensive for thousands of working families, lack of affordable health care, and unsafe neighborhoods.
Community organizing is a systematic approach to addressing the root causes of social problems. It is a process by which people investigate and act together to change their communities and society. Through community organizing, people meet others who share similar values and interests. Together they identify common goals and learn tools for working with public officials to create solutions to problems affecting their families and neighborhoods.
Why the focus on congregations and faith?
Faith is central to our work for many reasons. While we experience faith in very different ways, many of us share a common belief that the community and the world in which we live in can look different. Our diverse faith traditions and values motivate us to overcome the apathy and resignation that often stands in the way of improving communities. Many of us find strength and guidance in our faith to take the risks necessary to act on behalf of ourselves and others. And in many of our neighborhoods, faith institutions hold together the fabric of community life and thus provide a strong social and financial basis for a broad-based community improvement effort.
What kind of congregations does PACT work with?
PACT member organizations include Catholic, Jewish, Mainline Protestant, Non-Denominational and Unitarian Universalists. PACT is also developing work with organizations from other faith traditions including Muslim and Buddhist.
How does a faith organization get started with PACT?
Contact PACT Executive Director, Matt Hammer, to set up a time to meet or to find out about attending a PACT Faith Leaders Caucus.
Congregations and affiliated schools are members of PACT. People are members of PACT because they belong to or live nearby an organization that belongs to PACT. Individuals can join PACT through the local organizing committees at their congregations and schools. For more information, contact a PACT Community Organizer working with a PACT-member organization near you.
What issues does PACT work on?
PACT works on issues such as education, health, housing, , immigration reform, public safety, neighborhood revitalization and youth and community services that directly affect the quality of life in our communities.
The issues that PACT works on are determined by volunteer community leaders who form organizing committees at each of their respective member institutions. Decisions regarding city-wide and state or national organizing efforts are made through large group meetings with representatives from throughout PACT’s volunteer leadership base. PACT’s Board of Directors is made up of representatives from each member organization.
Where does PACT get its funding?
Funding comes from member dues, foundations, corporations, and individual donations. All donations to PACT are tax-deductible. PACT does not receive government funding.
Is PACT aligned with a political party?
PACT is non-partisan and is not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.
