Faith in Minnesota
Faith in Minnesota is a left-of-center advocacy organization claiming to advance social and economic justice in Minnesota through community organizing and voter engagement initiatives aimed at empowering communities of faith and marginalized groups. 1 Key program areas include voter registration, education, and policy advocacy, particularly concerning housing, health care access, and criminal justice reform. 2
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Founded in 2016, Faith in Minnesota operates as the advocacy arm of ISAIAH, a multi-faith left-of-center advocacy organization that focuses on racial and economic justice. The group provides a platform for faith leaders and community members to engage in grassroots organizing, often highlighting the intersections between faith, equity, and public policy. 3 Faith in Minnesota’s outreach primarily targets communities that claim to have been impacted by structural inequities, aiming to strengthen civic participation among historically underrepresented populations in the state. 4
Founding and Advocacy
Faith in Minnesota was established to address increasing concerns over economic disparities and racial inequities within Minnesota’s urban and rural areas. ISAIAH, a coalition of congregations across the state, developed Faith in Minnesota as an action-oriented branch designed to harness the power of faith communities for civic engagement and policy change. 5 Through its advocacy, Faith in Minnesota has mobilized thousands of voters in racial and ethnic minority communities, particularly communities of color, to increase their influence in local and state elections. 6
Faith in Minnesota’s leadership includes executive director Doran Schrantz, who had previously worked as an organizer for the Chicago Alliance for Neighborhood Safety. 7 Under her leadership, the organization has focused on creating long-term policy changes that align with the principles of social justice and equity. 8 Schrantz’s approach emphasizes training community members in leadership and civic participation, aiming to capture a sustainable foundation for activism within Minnesota’s diverse faith-based communities. 9
Faith in Minnesota has expanded its advocacy efforts to address housing affordability, educational equity, and criminal justice reform. Through campaigns like “Prophetic Resistance,” the organization seeks to mobilize faith leaders and congregants to act on issues impacting marginalized communities. 10
Programs and Initiatives
One of Faith in Minnesota’s flagship initiatives, the “Prophetic Resistance” campaign, encourages people of faith to take a stand against policies that claim to exacerbate social and economic inequality. This program includes organizing public events, training workshops, and legislative advocacy aimed at addressing the systemic causes of poverty and racial injustice. 11 Faith in Minnesota also organizes voter engagement drives to increase voter turnout among historically underrepresented populations, helping to ensure that their interests are represented in the state’s political landscape. 12
Faith in Minnesota has been active in coalition-building, partnering with organizations across the state that share a commitment to social justice. In 2020, for example, the organization joined forces with the left-wing Alliance for a Better Minnesota to launch the “Faith Votes” initiative, which aimed to increase voter participation in key state elections. 13