Last year on New Year’s Eve, my spouse and I drove to pick up our new family member, a corgi named Finn. He was eight weeks old and new to the world, and very small as he was the runt of the litter. As much as Finn’s accomplishments like graduating puppy kindergarten and insane expansion of length have marked my year, I’ve watched Finn grow alongside Iowa Interfaith Power & Light’s capacity and impact in 2023. Iowa IPL added two program associates to our team at the end of 2022. It’s been awe-inspiring seeing both Ren Mattson and MJ Noethe grow and enrich faith-rooted climate action at Iowa IPL.
- For the first time, we integrated Faith Farms & Climate with policy to advocate for our first Farm Bill platform. Faith voices like yours make a huge impact.
- We deepened our commitment to Clean Up MidAm through educational and advocacy events all year to ramp up for a direct action for people of faith and conscience in 2024.
- This year marked year five of running the Called To Climate Action student leadership program that deepens young adults’ faith in a unique way over the course of a summer.
- We leveled up our social media and added another newsletter to make sure Iowans of faith and conscience had actions to take and stories to get inspired for the work ahead.
- The Iowa IPL board grew this year and continues to do so. Please email me if you are interested in serving during this exciting time of growth and possibility.
As Finn has grown in size (but is still small for a corgi), Iowa IPL continues our upward trajectory and dedication to our mission of empowering Iowans of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on the climate crisis. We are small and mighty like Finn. And to continue to expand and increase our impact, we rely on donations from supporters like you.
Iowa IPL has a strong base of supporters, a passionate and capable staff (with a new associate director starting in the new year), and a mission that makes the world a better place. Your donations fund our Called To Climate Action student leadership program, advocacy efforts at the state capitol, rural programming, including a climate action bible study debuting in 2024, and the countless ways we show up for climate action in Iowa. The financial support you give will buoy us for all that we do in 2024 and I promise you, it will be a worthwhile investment.
My spouse and I (and Finn) give monthly to Iowa IPL. Just like we give to our faith community, we believe in the mission and know how big the impact can be. I hope that you consider giving financially to Iowa IPL in whatever way you can. If you have already given to us this season, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. (Here’s another cute corgi Finn picture to warm your soul.)
Happy New Year,
Deaconess Irene DeMaris (she/her)
Executive Director, Iowa IPL