Faith In Action Nevada (formerly Acting Community Together in Organizing Northern Nevada) is a left-of-center organization that advocates on issues such as higher government spending on welfare and liberal expansionist immigration policy. The organization is a coalition of faith-based congregations and activists.

In 2016, the organization joined with other left-of-center organizations in Nevada to sponsor a presidential candidate forum for the Democratic nomination. ¹ In 2020, the organization put together its first ever voting guide for candidates in Washoe County, Nevada. The voting guide, which was published in both English and Spanish, detailed the positions on political candidates running for office on issues such as immigration, healthcare, housing, and education. ²

In 2021, the organization rebranded as Faith In Action Nevada and went statewide. ³

Background

Faith In Action Nevada (formerly Acting Community Together in Organizing Northern Nevada) is a left-of-center organization that advocates for higher government spending on social welfare programs and liberal expansionist immigration policy. The organization is a faith-based organization and was founded in 2011 by various clergy from Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, and other congregations. ⁴

The organization is affiliated with the left-of-center People in Communities Organizing (PICO). In 2018, PICO changed its name to Faith In Action. ⁵

A major focus on the organization is combating homelessness. It has pushed for more government spending on combating the problem. It has also worked with local government officials to create temporary shelters during the cold Nevada winters for the homeless. ⁶

In 2016, the organization joined with other left-of-center organizations to host a presidential forum for Democratic candidates. The purpose of the forum was to secure more support for increased government spending on welfare projects supported in the Western states. ⁷

In 2020, the organization released its first voting guide in Washoe County, Nevada. The voter guide, which was published in both English and Spanish, detailed where candidates stood on issues such as immigration, healthcare, housing, and education. The People First Voter Guide was part of an overall effort by the organization to increase participation in the 2020 elections. It also sponsored a campaign to register 5,000 new voters and to increase participation in Nevada’s vote by mail system. ⁸

In January 2021, the organization changed its name to Faith In Action Nevada. In addition to the name change, it expanded its focus to statewide in Nevada. ⁹

Leadership

The first chairperson of the organization was the Neal Anderson. ¹⁰ In 2017, Anderson’s church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada, provided sanctuary for an illegal immigrant who was set to be deported from the United States. Anderson and his congregation opposed enforcement of immigration law. ¹¹

The long-time executive director and first statewide director of Faith in Action Nevada was J.D. Klippenstein. ¹²

The statewide director since November 2021 has been Shaunda Johnson. ¹³

Funding

According to its 2020 tax return, the organization raised $1,020,142 and spent $634,020. It had $575,632 in assets. ¹⁴

1. “Grassroots Organizations Host Presidential Forum to Focus on the Need to Invest in Communities.” Community Change, February 11, 2016. https://communitychange.org/page/grassroots-organizations-host-presidential-forum-to-focus-on-the-need-to-invest-in-communities/.
2. [1]“First-of-Its-Kind Online Voter Guide Released for Washoe County Candidates.” This Is Reno, June 6, 2020. https://thisisreno.com/2020/06/first-of-its-kind-online-voter-guide-released-for-washoe-county-candidates/.
3. [1]“J.D. Klippenstein, Statewide Director.” Faith In Action Nevada. Accessed January 23, 2023. https://faithinactionnv.org/2021/01/10/jd-klippenstein-statewide-director/.
4. “Faith Groups Come Together to Launch Social Justice Organization in Nevada.” sportswire. Accessed January 23, 2023. https://sportswire4u.blogspot.com/2012/10/faith-groups-come-together-to-launch.html?m=1.
5.  Fling Hired at ACTIONN.” Northern Nevada Business Weekly, December 16, 2011. https://www.nnbw.com/news/2011/dec/16/fling-hired-at-actionn/.
6. Release, Staff/City of Reno. “Regional Partners Provide Temporary Winter Homeless Shelter.” KOLO-TV, December 8, 2017. https://www.kolotv.com/content/news/Regional-partners-provide-temporary-winter-homeless-shelter-462725653.html.
7. [1]“Grassroots Organizations Host Presidential Forum to Focus on the Need to Invest in Communities.” Community Change, February 11, 2016. https://communitychange.org/page/grassroots-organizations-host-presidential-forum-to-focus-on-the-need-to-invest-in-communities/.
8. First-of-Its-Kind Online Voter Guide Released for Washoe County Candidates.” This Is Reno, June 6, 2020. https://thisisreno.com/2020/06/first-of-its-kind-online-voter-guide-released-for-washoe-county-candidates/.
9. [1]“J.D. Klippenstein, Statewide Director.” Faith In Action Nevada. Accessed January 23, 2023. https://faithinactionnv.org/2021/01/10/jd-klippenstein-statewide-director/.
10. “Fling Hired at ACTIONN.” Northern Nevada Business Weekly, December 16, 2011. https://www.nnbw.com/news/2011/dec/16/fling-hired-at-actionn/.
11. Schurr, Sarah Movius. “Becoming a Sanctuary Congreation: An Interview.” Unitarian Universalist Association, May 4, 2017. https://www.uua.org/pacific-western/blog/becoming-sanctuary-congregation-interview.
12. “J.D. Klippenstein, Statewide Director.” Faith In Action Nevada. Accessed January 23, 2023. https://faithinactionnv.org/2021/01/10/jd-klippenstein-statewide-director/.
13. [1]“Faith In Action Nevada.” Facebook, November 24, 2021. https://www.facebook.com/FIANevada/photos/a.438012272901765/4465453920157560/?type=3.
14. “Actionn – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 23, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/800732126.