"Harmony in Diversity" Grant Proposal.
Executive Summary
The First Church of Druwayu, a modern polytheistic and philosophical religious movement founded in 2014, seeks funding from the Open Society Foundations to launch a community outreach program aimed at promoting religious pluralism, scientific literacy, and social harmony. In an era marked by rising polarization, misinformation, and challenges to democratic values, our project will empower underserved communities in the United States to embrace interconnectedness, critical thinking, and tolerance.
By integrating sacred geometry, real-world sciences, and humorous philosophical discourse, we will host workshops, online resources, and public events to bridge divides between faith and reason. This initiative aligns with the Open Society Foundations' mission to build vibrant, inclusive democracies where human rights, justice, and accountability thrive. With $150,000 in funding, we aim to reach 5,000 participants, foster interfaith dialogues, and advocate for religious freedoms, ultimately contributing to fairer and more harmonious societies.
Organization Background
The First Church of Druwayu is a recognized non-profit organization based in Oregon, United States, dedicated to restoring doctrinal integrity in spiritual practices while separating occultism from genuine philosophical and scientific exploration. Founded by Raymond S. G. Foster, our movement celebrates the interconnectedness of all things through sacred geometry and embraces polytheism as a framework for understanding diversity in the universe.
As a New Religious Movement (NRM), we emphasize logic, humor, and absurdity to make complex ideas accessible. Our community includes over [insert approximate membership, e.g., 500] members across online platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and our website (www.druwayu.com). Our tax-exempt status under IRS guidelines for religious organizations ensures fiscal responsibility, with annual revenues primarily from donations and membership fees.
Problem Statement
In today's world, religious intolerance and scientific skepticism erode democratic foundations.
According to global reports, incidents of religious discrimination have risen by 20% in the U.S. over the past decade, while misinformation about science fuels division.
Underserved communities, particularly in rural and urban low-income areas, lack resources to explore alternative spiritual paths that promote inclusivity.
Traditional religions often clash with modern science, leaving individuals alienated and vulnerable to extremist ideologies.
The First Church of Druwayu addresses this gap by offering a unique blend of polytheistic philosophy and evidence-based inquiry. Without support, innovative voices like ours struggle to scale impact, limiting our ability to counter polarization and advance human rights.
Project Description
The "Harmony in Diversity" project will implement a multifaceted program over 18 months to promote religious pluralism, counter terrorism and scientific literacy:
Community Workshops (Months 1–12): Host 20 in-person and virtual workshops in Oregon and online, targeting 200 participants each. Topics include "Sacred Geometry and Modern Physics," "Polytheism as a Tool for Tolerance," and "Humor in Philosophical Debate." Partnerships with local libraries and community centers will ensure accessibility.
Online Resource Development (Months 3–9): Create a free digital platform with educational videos, podcasts, and interactive modules on our YouTube channel and website. Content will emphasize critical thinking, interfaith dialogue, and the role of religion in democratic constitutional republic based societies.
Public Events and Advocacy (Months 6–18): Organize 5 public forums and advocacy campaigns to highlight religious freedoms, collaborating with human rights groups. This includes petitions and media outreach to influence policy on inclusive education.
Our approach incorporates logic, humor and absurdity to make learning engaging, drawing from our core tenets to reduce barriers to participation.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Enhance Religious Pluralism: Facilitate dialogues that increase participants' understanding of diverse faiths by 40% (measured via pre/post surveys).
Goal 2: Boost Scientific Literacy: Equip 3,000 individuals with tools to discern fact from fiction in science-religion intersections.
Goal 3: Strengthen Community Harmony: Build networks among 2,000 participants to advocate for human rights and justice.
Goal 4: Sustain Organizational Capacity: Train 10 church volunteers in program management to ensure long-term impact.
Evaluation Plan
Success will be measured through:
Quantitative Metrics: Participant numbers, survey scores on knowledge gains, and engagement analytics (e.g., video views).
Qualitative Metrics: Feedback forms, case studies of community impact, and partner testimonials.
Independent Review: An external evaluator will assess outcomes at 6, 12, and 18 months.
Adjustments: Mid-project reviews to refine activities based on data.
Sustainability
Post-funding, we will integrate the program into our core operations, leveraging membership growth and partnerships for ongoing support. Revenue from optional courses and donations will ensure longevity.
The First Church of Druwayu is uniquely positioned to advance the Open Society Foundations' vision of inclusive democracies through innovative spiritual and scientific education. This grant will amplify our efforts to create fairer communities, upholding human rights and justice for all. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal further and provide additional documentation.
Budget Breakdown
(Subject to change based on economic factors)
Personnel (Project Work & Coordination): $60,000 Compensation for facilitators, content creators, outreach coordinators, and administrative support directly executing the program.
Program Materials (Workshops, Online Tools): $30,000 Costs for printing, software licenses, video production, and educational content development.
Events and Travel: $25,000 Venue rentals, transportation for staff and speakers, and logistics for public forums and workshops.
Marketing and Advocacy: $15,000 Social media advertising, website upgrades, and materials for public campaigns and petitions.
Evaluation and Administration: $10,000 Surveys, data analysis, external evaluator fees, and general overhead.
Contingency: $10,000 Reserved for unexpected costs or adjustments during implementation.
Total Requested: $150,000
