Interfaith Philadelphia

What Interfaith Philadelphia does

Interfaith Philadelphia is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose mission is to promote inter-religious understanding among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the Greater Philadelphia region. The organization delivers a portfolio of programs rather than a unified software product: the proprietary "Passport to Understanding" curriculum and booklet (five practices: Be Curious, Venture Out, Welcome In, Stand Tall, Stand With), the "Art of Interfaith Understanding" tour series delivered in partnership with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, workplace consultations and training, a suite of youth programs (Walking the Walk, Alternative Break Trips, Mosaic Summer, customized school programming), the Leadership Institute (including the Foundations of Interfaith Leadership LIVE certificate program), the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia (36 senior faith leaders representing 1.5+ million people), and the Zones of Peace initiative (100 recognized sites). The organization also hosts an annual Dare to Understand Awards ceremony and a Visionary Women cohort experience.

The underlying operating model is community-led and event-driven, with programming delivered in-person across the region and select offerings extended virtually. Core "technology" consists of structured facilitation methodologies, branded curriculum, and a digital footprint (website, intake form, Religious Freedom Trails App co-developed with The Dialogue Institute) rather than a proprietary software platform. The organization employs 11-50 staff including ordained clergy and credentialed program specialists.

Revenue is generated through a mix of individual donations, foundation and corporate grants, sliding-scale program and training fees for organizations, event sponsorships (Dare to Understand Awards tiers from $1,000 to $25,000+), and unit sales of Passport to Understanding booklets ($6 per single copy, volume discounts up to 50 copies at $5 each). As of 2026 the organization is undergoing a planned executive director transition (Sara Zebovitz succeeding founder Abby Stamelman Hocky effective July 1, 2026) and has launched the year-long "Religious Freedom: Then & Now" initiative tied to America's Semiquincentennial.

Name

Interfaith Philadelphia

Legal name

Interfaith Philadelphia

Website

https://interfaithphiladelphia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Interfaith Philadelphia is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit founded in 2004 that delivers interfaith dialogue, education, and leadership programs, including the Passport to Understanding curriculum, museum tours, workplace training, youth initiatives, and the Religious Leaders Council serving diverse faith communities in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Interfaith Education and Dialogue Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

akta.pro primary industry

Interfaith & Ecumenical Councils and Dialogue Organizations (BPAGAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Adjustment & Integration Services (intercultural programs, community connection) (EDALANAD), Cultural Adjustment & Intercultural Training Programs (EDAIAKAB), Community Engagement & Social Integration Programs (Clubs, Events, Volunteering) (EDAIAKAE)

Keywords

• Interfaith dialogue programs
• Religious literacy education
• Workplace diversity training
• Youth interfaith engagement
• Civil discourse facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization raises funds through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors, as evidenced by their #GivingTuesday campaigns and Innovation Fund drives.
2. Program Materials Sales: Sale of Passport to Understanding booklets at various quantities: $6 for 1, $55 for 10, $125 for 25, or $250 for 50 copies
3. Program and Training Fees: Slide-scale fee structure for workshops, training programs, and seminars offered to organizations including companies, hospitals, schools, and government agencies
4. Event Revenue and Sponsorships: Revenue from the Dare to Understand Awards ceremony with various sponsorship tiers (Trailblazer $25,000+, Change-Maker $15,000, Innovator $10,000, Bridge-Builder $5,000, Friend $2,500, Sustainer $1,000)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Interfaith Philadelphia is a nonprofit organization that delivers interfaith dialogue, education, and training programs across the Greater Philadelphia region. Its core offerings include the Passport to Understanding curriculum and booklet, Art of Interfaith Understanding museum tours, Workplace Consultations and Training for organizations, Youth Initiatives (Walking the Walk, Alternative Break Trips, Mosaic Summer Program), the Leadership Institute's Foundations of Interfaith Leadership LIVE certificate program, the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia network, and the Zones of Peace regional interfaith movement.

Product overview

Interfaith Philadelphia operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interfaith engagement programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Passport to Understanding (available as booklet and online program), Art of Interfaith Understanding museum tours, Workplace Consultations and Training, and Youth Initiatives (Walking the Walk, Alternative Break Trips, Mosaic Summer Program). The Leadership Institute provides professional development including Foundations of Interfaith Leadership LIVE certificate program. Religious Networks include the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia and Zones of Peace initiative. The organization also hosts the annual Dare to Understand Awards and Visionary Women program. These programs work together to promote inter-religious understanding among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the Philadelphia region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Passport to Understanding: An initiative guiding individuals in five essential practices of interfaith travel: Be Curious, Venture Out, Welcome In, Stand Tall, and Stand With. Available as an online program and printed booklet.
• Walking the Walk Youth Initiative
• Leadership Institute
• Zones of Peace
• Visionary Women
• Alternative Break Trips
• Mosaic Summer Program

Products and services

• Passport to Understanding A guided curriculum with five essential practices (Be Curious, Venture Out, Welcome In, Stand Tall, Stand With) that helps individuals develop competencies for interfaith engagement. Sold as printed booklets ($6 each, with tiered bulk pricing) and delivered as an online 6-week program for adult learners.
• Art of Interfaith Understanding A tour series exploring the intersection of art, faith, and spirituality offered in partnership with the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Office for Community Engagement. Participants engage with works of art to understand religious traditions and spiritual perspectives.
• Workplace Consultations and Training Flexible workshops, training programs, and seminars for organizations including companies, hospitals, schools, and government agencies that foster understanding and cooperation across religious traditions. Includes panel discussions, case studies, coaching, and training workshops delivered on a sliding-scale fee basis.
• Navigating Difficult Conversations A dynamic workshop developing essential skills to bring empathy, understanding, and curiosity to sensitive and challenging topics, whether at home or in the workplace.
• Foundations of Interfaith Leadership LIVE An interactive certificate program combining self-paced online coursework (5 hours) with live virtual sessions (9 hours) to develop essential skills for leading in a diverse, multi-faith world. Grants a Certificate in Interfaith Leadership upon completion.
• Youth Initiatives A portfolio of programs for middle school, high school, and college students that builds interfaith dialogue skills at formative ages, including Walking the Walk Youth Initiative, Alternative Break Trips, Mosaic Summer Program, Customized School Programming, and Interfaith Book Trail. Nearly 1,000 past participants in Walking the Walk alone.
• Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia A convened network of 36 senior faith leaders from diverse religious traditions, representing over 1.5 million people across the region, that works to strengthen relationships and address issues of shared concern.
• Zones of Peace A region-wide interfaith movement of houses of worship, schools, and community-based organizations working to address root causes of violence and promote peace in Greater Philadelphia; 100 Zones of Peace recognized as of 2024.
• Visionary Women A cohort experience bringing women together for cross-cultural connections and interfaith dialogue, featuring visits to sacred spaces (e.g., BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, South Philadelphia Shtiebel) and guided conversations.
• Dare to Understand Awards Annual award ceremony honoring individuals, communities, and businesses that champion interfaith engagement and understanding across lines of difference, with formal sponsorship tiers (Trailblazer $25,000+, Change-Maker $15,000, Innovator $10,000, Bridge-Builder $5,000, Friend $2,500, Sustainer $1,000).
• Religious Freedom: Then & Now A year-long public initiative exploring Philadelphia's central role in shaping religious liberty in the United States during America's Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary). Includes lectures, panel discussions, and workshops at historically significant congregations in Old City Philadelphia, in partnership with The Dialogue Institute and 12 historic congregations including Christ Church, Congregation Mikveh Israel, African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, and Arch Street Friends Meeting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached more than 50,000 people since founding in 2004
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• National Constitution CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Venue for the Liberty Medal Ceremony honoring Pope Leo XIV and for the Celebrating 250 Years of Religious Freedom event.
• NAMI PhiladelphiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership to offer Warmlines and Healing Circles during the Middle East conflict crisis, allowing people to speak with supportive interfaith leaders about feelings of distress.
• Mayor's Office of Public EngagementmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023City partnership for healing circles and community support during times of conflict.
• Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023City department partnership for healing circles during crisis response.
• Mayor's Commission on Faith-Based and Interfaith AffairsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023City commission partnership for community support initiatives.
• Religious Leaders Council of Greater PhiladelphiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Network of 36 senior faith leaders from diverse religious traditions representing more than 1.5 million people, organized by Interfaith Philadelphia to strengthen relationships and address shared concerns.
• Philadelphia Museum of ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Office for Community Engagement to deliver the Art of Interfaith Understanding tour series exploring the intersection of art, faith and spirituality.
• The Dialogue InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Religious Freedom Trails App offering historic information about significant religious sites in Old City Philadelphia.
• African Episcopal Church of St. ThomasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric congregation participating in the Religious Freedom: Then & Now initiative as one of 12 partner locations.
• Arch Street Friends MeetingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Quaker meeting house participating in the Religious Freedom: Then & Now initiative.
• Christ ChurchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Episcopal congregation participating in the Religious Freedom: Then & Now initiative.
• Congregation Mikveh IsraelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Jewish congregation (Synagogue of the Revolution) participating in the Religious Freedom: Then & Now initiative with a 250-year relationship with Christ Church.
• Bryn Mawr Presbyterian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for the 2023 Dare to Understand Award ceremony honoring Valarie Kaur.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Light the World Giving Machine MidAtlantic campaign where Zones of Peace was featured as one of four local charities.
• Philadelphia Sikh SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGurdwara visited during Alternative Break Trips, sharing Sikh traditions of kindness and service.
• Won Buddhism of PhiladelphiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTemple visited during Alternative Break Trips for mindful meditation practice.
• Bethel AME Church of ArdmoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric African Methodist Episcopal church (founded 1787) visited during Alternative Break Trips.
• BAPS Swaminarayan AkshardhamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHindu temple visited by Visionary Women cohort for interfaith exploration.
• South Philadelphia ShtiebelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish community space visited by Visionary Women cohort.
• Gesu SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent Catholic school partnership for Passport to Understanding program with 7th graders.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Religions for Peace: Global interfaith coalition with multi-religious councils in cities worldwide. Comparable structure to Interfaith Philadelphia's Religious Leaders Council model, though operating at significantly larger scale internationally.
• Interfaith Alliance: National interfaith advocacy organization promoting religious freedom and progressive values across faith traditions. Comparable in mission scope, though more advocacy-focused versus Interfaith Philadelphia's programming focus.
• Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding: New York-based nonprofit promoting interreligious understanding through workplace, healthcare, and education programming. Highly comparable given shared focus on workplace religious diversity training and interfaith education.
• Interfaith Center of New York: New York-based interfaith organization serving religious leaders and congregations with programs for dialogue, conflict resolution, and community organizing. Direct comparable given shared Religious Leaders Council model and congregational engagement.
• Center for Interfaith Cooperation: Indianapolis-based interfaith organization convening religious communities for dialogue and cooperation. Highly comparable given similar regional focus, faith leader network model, and programming for youth and workplaces.
• Interfaith America: National interfaith organization (formerly Interfaith Youth Core) focused on interfaith cooperation on college campuses and beyond. Most direct peer given overlapping mission of building interfaith understanding and leadership development at scale.

Broad incumbents

• International Council of Christians and Jews: International interfaith organization focused on Jewish-Christian relations with national chapters. Comparable in interfaith dialogue methodology, though narrower in faith tradition focus.
• Parliament of the World's Religions: Global interfaith organization hosting the world's largest interfaith gathering. Comparable in mission of advancing interfaith dialogue, though operating at much larger international scale.

Emerging players

• Auburn Theological Seminary: New York-based theological education and leadership development organization focused on multifaith programming and next-generation religious leaders. Comparable in interfaith leadership training and youth programming focus.

Regional players

• The Interfaith Alliance of Washington: Regional interfaith organization in Washington state offering interfaith dialogue, education, and advocacy. Comparable programming model focused on a single metropolitan region, similar in scale to Interfaith Philadelphia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/interfaithpa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/interfaith-philadelphia
• Xx.com/InterfaithPA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Interfaith Philadelphia