Who We Are

Our Mission

The Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance gathers faith leaders representing diverse religious traditions into a sacred friendship, in order to collaborate on civic projects that serve the common good of greater Indianapolis, making our city a more equitable place.

GIMA believes that housing is a human right and a moral mandate; and religious diversity brings multi-faith traditions together for the common good.

Our core values include,

Sacred Friendships are fundamental. It emphasizes that the relationships among faith leaders are not merely transactional or political, but are built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared sense of the sacred. It acknowledges that deep, personal connection is the foundation for effective collaboration.
Radical Hospitality goes beyond simple politeness. It means actively and intentionally welcoming people from all backgrounds, especially those who may feel marginalized or different. For GIMA, it means creating a space where every tradition feels seen, heard, and valued, and where there is a genuine openness to learning from one another's beliefs and practices without judgment.
Compassionate Collaboration highlights the "how" of our work. It underscores the commitment to working together, leveraging the unique strengths of each faith tradition to address shared community challenges. It's about moving from individual efforts to collective action for the common good, recognizing that the sum is greater than its parts.
Equity and Justice directly ties to our mission of making Indianapolis a more equitable place, this value grounds the organization's work in a commitment to social justice. It means not only serving the community but also working to dismantle systemic barriers and injustices. This value guides the selection of our civic projects, ensuring they address root causes of inequality.

Authentic Diversity. While "diversity" is a common value, "authentic diversity" speaks to a deeper commitment. It means celebrating and honoring the unique theological and cultural traditions of each faith, rather than trying to blend them into a generic, "one-size-fits-all" spirituality. It recognizes that true unity comes from respecting and valuing differences, not erasing them.
Moral Courage is about the willingness to take a stand on difficult issues, even when it's unpopular or challenging. For GIMA, this means speaking out against hate, injustice, or intolerance, and being a voice for the vulnerable, even when it requires confronting disagreements within or outside the alliance.
Humility is crucial for leaders working across different traditions. It means holding space for the tension of difference in beliefs while also working together with mutual respect and acknowledging that no single faith has a monopoly on good works. It fosters a spirit of learning and listening, and a recognition that the organization's strength comes from its collective wisdom, not from the dominance of any one perspective.