About CAN Membership
The Congregation Action Network (CAN) is a network of congregations and civic organizations in the DC/MD/VA region acting in solidarity to end detention, deportation, profiling, and criminalization of immigrants and demanding justice, dignity, safety, and family unity. Our faith will not allow us to permit the criminalization or exclusion of immigrants and people of color.
In the face of hate and discrimination, we are committed to showing love, compassion, and hospitality. This includes advocacy, community organizing, fundraising, family support, media outreach, and communications.
CAN History
CAN was founded as the DMV Sanctuary Congregation Network in 2017 as a project of Faith in Action and Sanctuary DMV. The organization changed its name to the Congregation Action Network in 2019.
CAN is now an independent organization, incorporated in DC, and an affiliate of Faith in Action. We are fiscally sponsored by the Festival Center and are pursuing our own 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
Since 2017, CAN has carried out its mission in the DC region through local clusters in the District, Northern Virginia, and in the Montgomery and Prince George’s counties of Maryland.
Who Are CAN Members?
Congregations and civic organizations, not individuals, are members of CAN. An institution becomes a member by engaging in the work of CAN by identifying leaders who will participate in cluster meetings and campaigns, and relate to the wider organization. Most members also contribute to CAN financially, though this is not a requirement for membership.
Here are some suggested ranges for annual contributions.
Small Congregation (<100 members) - $500-$1,000
Mid-Size Congregation (100-249 members) - $1,000-$3,000
Large Congregation (250+ members) - $3,000-$5,000
Members of CAN have access to organizing staff, reduced rates for leadership development and training programs, and influence the development of CAN’s priority issues through their engagement with CAN’s clusters. CAN spends the majority of its resources investing in the strength, capacity, and voice of its members, allowing people of faith to have a powerful voice in the public decisions that impact our communities and neighbors. Congregations and organizations are encouraged to invest in CAN’s mission as full members.
Is your congregation interested in joining CAN?
*The membership document is also at the bottom of this page
“Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein? (Qur’an 4:97) … Those who migrate for the sake of God shall find many places for refuge in the land in great abundance.” (Q 4:100).