Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute

The Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University offers a broad range of programming that advances equity and belonging for persons of all religious, secular, and spiritual identities by fostering human connection, interfaith understanding, and collective transformation on campus and in the wider West Michigan community.

The spirit of the Kaufman Institute is represented by the cooperative programs hosted throughout the community to inspire, inform, and promote belonging. These events bring together diverse voices and worldview traditions to elevate individual experiences and stories, with the goal of promoting interfaith cooperation and pluralism.

Whether it is working with others in the community to convene a healthy discussion about polarizing issues or organizing celebrations that welcome all and encourage learning through differences, the institute grounds its mission in relationship-building.