Frequently Asked Questions

What do the initials in AFACT stand for?
What is AFACT?
What is community organizing?
Why the focus on congregations and faith?
What kind of congregations does AFACT work with?
Can individuals join AFACT?
Where does AFACT get its funding?
Is AFACT aligned with a political party?
What issues does AFACT work on?
Who makes decisions in AFACT?
How does a faith institution get started with AFACT?

What do the initials in AFACT stand for?
Anchorage Faith and Action • Congregations Together

What is AFACT?
AFACT is a faith based, 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 AFACT, 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 high school drop out rates, at-risk youth, lack of affordable health care, and unsafe neighborhoods.

What is community organizing?
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 to build organizations and participate in public life.

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 can look different. The belief in the unseen is a powerful ingredient to overcoming the hopelessness 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. 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 AFACT work with?
AFACT members include Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, First CME, Baptist, Episcopal and nondenominational congregations.

Can individuals join AFACT?
Not directly. AFACT is made up of affiliated congregations. People are members of AFACT because they belong to or live nearby a congregation that belongs to AFACT.

Where does AFACT get its funding?
Funding comes from member dues, foundation grants, corporations, and individual donations. All donations to AFACT are tax-deductible. AFACT does not receive government funding.

Is AFACT aligned with a political party?
AFACT is non-partisan and is not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.

What issues does AFACT work on?
AFACT works on issues such as education, public safety, youth services, and health care that
directly affect the quality of life in communities.

Who makes decisions in AFACT?
The issues that AFACT works on are determined by volunteer community leaders who form organizing committees at each of their respective member congregations. Decisions regarding city- and state-wide organizing efforts are made through large group meetings with representative from throughout AFACT’s volunteer leadership base. AFACT’s Board of Directors is made up of two leaders from each member congregation.

How does a faith institution get started with AFACT?
Contact AFACT Executive Director, Angela Liston, to set up a time to meet or to find out about attending an AFACT Clergy Caucus.

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