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Institute for Emerging Issues
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Faith & Community

Moving forward together. Wrestling with realities.
Building capacity for the long haul.

IEI’s Faith and Community Initiative has existed in partnership with The Duke Endowment since 2015 to fold rural North Carolina faith and community leaders into local and statewide leadership on emerging issues. IEI invites rural faith and community leaders to the annual Emerging Issues Forum and Faith and Community Initiative Conference. The initiative provides technical assistance on community-congregation partnerships throughout the year, with a network that includes more than 400 clergy, lay leaders and partners.

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IEI’s Faith & Community Initiative is made possible through the generous funding of The Duke Endowment.

2026 Faith & Community Initiative Conference

Nov. 19-20 | The Historic Brookstown Inn | Winston-Salem, NC

This free, two-day event brings faith leaders, nonprofit partners and community stakeholders together to discuss the challenges they face and explore practical tools, shared learning and cross-sector partnerships. Themed “Infrastructure of Hope” in tandem with the 2027 Emerging Issues Forum on housing, the conference will focus on the role of faith communities in advancing housing stability, affordability, food security and overall community well-being across North Carolina.

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Peer Network Groups

F&C’s peer networks are issue-based informal resource groups around topics rural faith and community leaders care about.

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F&C Events

F&C hosts an annual gathering and other events throughout the year for faith and community leaders passionate about community engagement and collaborative partnerships in rural North Carolina.

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Emerging Issues Forum

Rural faith and community leaders from around North Carolina gather at the Emerging Issues Forum each year, along with statewide leaders in business, education, nonprofits, government and more.

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Resources

Making your impact a little easier by connecting you to the best resources.

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F&C news

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December 19, 2025

Rooted and Rising at the 2025 Faith & Community Conference

On Nov. 18, faith and community leaders from across North Carolina gathered at Guilford Tech Community College in Colfax for the 2025 Faith & Community Initiative Conference, Rooted and Rising: Faith and Community in a Changing World.

December 16, 2025

IEI Releases 2024-2025 Annual Impact Report

IEI is excited to release the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Impact Report. This report highlights the work that took place throughout the year and the impact it had on communities across the state.

June 23, 2025

Faith and Community Gathering Brings Leaders Together to Discuss Energy Issues

Faith leaders, advocates and community partners gathered at Open Table United Methodist Church in Raleigh on May 29, 2025, to reflect on conversations started at the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum, focusing on energy. 

Contact Us

Email

[email protected]

Address

James B. Hunt Jr. Library
1070 Partners Way, Suite 4100
Raleigh, NC 27606