Religion News Foundation (RNF) today announced the receipt of a $300,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to investigate and explain how immigrant communities bring global faith traditions into America, creating practices that seep into and enrich the cultural and religious landscape of the United States.
Global Faiths, Local Stories: Bridging Cultures in American Religion will provide a deeper and more nuanced account of how faith is lived and practiced within immigrant communities through digital storytelling, multimedia presentations and virtual discussions by the Religion News Service (RNS).
As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, the stories produced by this initiative will serve as a contemporary bridge to exploring America’s complex immigrant-led religious history.
“Our thanks to the Henry Luce Foundation for its support of RNS telling the stories of immigrant and diaspora religion through the lens of faith. Such stories are particularly compelling and uplifting as we celebrate our heritage next year as a nation of immigrants,” said Deborah Caldwell, CEO of RNF and Publisher of RNS. “Immigrant faith communities are not only preserving traditions but also creating new ones and building new institutions, revitalizing aging congregations, and engaging in civic and social action. Their stories will elevate the complexity of immigrant religious life and offer a more complete picture of how religion is lived and shaped in today’s America.”
At a moment of historic reflection, this project will center one of the most enduring forces shaping American identity: the spiritual lives of immigrant communities.
“Today, as religion plays a significant role in many of the nation’s most pressing issues, our reporters continue to help make sense of change and amplify the voices of people of faith,” said Paul O’Donnell, Editor-in-Chief of RNS. “As a nonprofit newsroom with a national platform, we will contribute to a deeper public understanding of how religion works in people’s lives—and why that matters.”
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ABOUT RELIGION NEWS FOUNDATION
Religion News Foundation (RNF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999. Its purpose is to enhance understanding and drive conversation about religion, and support independent journalism that produces these stories. RNF views religion as an evolving landscape that spans belief and non-belief; long-established communities and emerging spiritual innovators; communal practices and customs; and individual searches for meaning.
ABOUT RELIGION NEWS SERVICE
Religion News Service is an independent, nonprofit source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics, reported by a staff of professional journalists. Founded in 1934, RNS informs readers with objective reporting and insightful commentary, and is relied upon by readers, listeners and viewers in the United States and around the world. Visit RNS.org.
ABOUT THE HENRY LUCE FOUNDATION
The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. Established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc., the Luce Foundation advances its mission by nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, fostering dialogue across divides, enriching public discourse, amplifying diverse voices, and investing in leadership development.
CONTACT:
Trish Terrell
Chief Development Officer, RNS
817.691.0925 | [email protected]
