Founded in January 2004, Interfaith Philadelphia emerged as a regional response to the national tragedy of 9/11. The organization was formed by individuals from a wide diversity of backgrounds – including clergy and lay persons with experience in interfaith relations – who wanted to transform the tragic event  into a catalyst to affect positive change in this community.  To do this, they envisioned an agency that could facilitate reconciliation, mutual trust, and common action across religious communities and where cross-cultural and multi-faith education, dialogue, and collaborative endeavors could flourish.

Years later, this bold vision continues to evolve and unfold in exciting and innovating ways.  In its earliest days, Interfaith Philadelphia began its work by facilitating a host of community programs and dialogues. Ultimately, these evolved into more formal conferences and workshops and, over time, the scope of our work has broadened significantly to encompass a number of signature initiatives.

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Over the past two decades, we have served over 50,000 individuals and partnered with more than 350 religious congregations and institutions, educational institutions, and civic and service organizations. To this day, Interfaith Philadelphia remains one of the few organizations of its kind across the country.  We’ve been called upon at the highest levels of city government and local business to help create programs that promote understanding, cooperation, and relationships between individuals of different faiths.

We at Interfaith Philadelphia teach more than mere tolerance; we believe that embracing diversity in our neighborhoods, institutions, and workplaces is the key to building a cohesive, compassionate, and thriving society – contributing to the kind of region and world in which we want to live.