Become a Collaborating Partner

Organizations of many kinds – from libraries to faith agencies, from arts organizations to institutions of higher learning – contribute to the success of the Festival of Faiths as Collaborating Partners. Following are ways for Collaborating Partners to participate:

Sponsor an interfaith event or activity

When a Collaborating Partner schedules an interfaith event within – or reasonably, close to – the Festival’s fall season, the event is included in the Festival’s schedule of programs. This helps publicize the event. In addition, the Collaborating Partner agrees to acknowledge the Festival in its publicity materials.

The Festival’s leadership committee reviews the organization’s request for inclusion under its ‘umbrella,’ to ensure that the organization and/or event are aligned with the Festival’s mission and values.

The Festival does not contribute financially to the organization’s event. Neither is there a financial obligation on the part of the Collaborating Sponsor to help fund the Festival (although financial contributions are always welcome).

Examples have included:

• The Writers Place with a program of writers reading on the
  topic of “doubt and belief” . . .
• The Human Agenda with a program of interfaith book discussion,
  offered at a branch of the public library . . .
• Books for the Planet with a service-oriented interfaith effort to
  collect and distribute books.

Make a significant in-kind contribution

Festival events and the Festival in general present many opportunities to
help build success by contributing goods and/or services that otherwise would outweigh the Festival’s limited budget.

Examples have included:

• Johnson County Community College with space donation for Jon Meacham’s lecture (2009)
• Kansas City Public Library with space donation for performance
  of "The Hindu and the Cowboy” (2009, 2010, 2011)
• Jewish Book Fair of the Jewish Community Center with hotel room contribution for keynote speakers (2007 - 2010)

Publicize and promote the Festival in a significant way

Success of the Festival’s keynote event and other activities relies heavily on adequate promotion. Entities who commit to special publicity efforts that go beyond standard practices to get the word out and to garner attendance.

Examples have included:

• Jewish Book Fair of the Jewish Community Center (2006 – 2010)
• Midland Islamic Council
• Muslim News Digest
• Park University

Commit block attendance

While this year’s keynote event is offered free of charge, ensuring a substantial audience remains essential. Organizations that commit to bringing at least 15 participants -- and providing information on how they will achieve this number -- are recognized as Collaborating Partners.

Contribute financially to the Festival

While most financial contributions to the Festival are recognized as sponsorships, some financial contributions enable special benefits that would not be feasible otherwise.

Examples:

• Notre Dame de Sion with a contribution that brings the
  keynote speaker to address an interfaith youth audience
  at the high school (2009, 2010) as a secondary venue
• Avila University with providing funds for keynote speaker reception
• St. Andrew Christian Church with providing underwriting for
  public performances of “The Hindu and the Cowboy” and receptions
  following both performances

Join the Festival as a planning and coordinating partner

Certain organizations with similar interfaith missions are active Collaborating Partners on an integral, ongoing basis. The Festival coordinates scheduling and selected fund-raising efforts with them.

Examples include:

• Greater KC Interfaith Council
• Kansas City Interfaith Youth Alliance

Note: Special Collaborating Partner status with the Festival is recognized for Village Presbyterian Church, which enabled its formation in 2007 with a seed grant. Since then Village Church continues to support the Festival in a variety of essential ways. It serves as the Festival’s Fiscal Agent and provides a staff liaison for financial accounting and administrative support. It offers in-kind space for meetings and speaking events (2007, 2010). In addition, the church proactively promotes the Festival through its literature and ticket sales and from the pulpit.