Living our Faith through Action

Living our Faith through Action
Annual Report 2014-2015 » Friends Committee on National Legislation

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Living our Faith through Action
FCNL is a community committed to living our faith through action. We are called to lives of integrity, aligning
our actions with the inner awareness of the Spirit. We are motivated to work for peace and justice, engaging
in civic life and practicing our beliefs outwardly.
At FCNL, the vision we seek is the foundation of our work, made manifest through our witness in the world.
Our growing nationwide network of Friends and friends who share this vision gives FCNL a strong voice. Our
quest for the world we seek leads us to educate others and lobby members of Congress to end mass
incarceration, to support renewable energy sources, to keep the space open for diplomacy with Iran, to cut
the Pentagon budget and fund human needs, and to support peacebuilding programs throughout the world.
The progress we’ve made on our legislative priorities moves us closer to our vision.
We are grateful for the monthly meetings and churches who gathered in worship to advise FCNL on our
lobbying priorities. This perspective from Friends is an essential foundation of our advocacy. We are so grateful
for the dedicated people across the country who form the strong network to advance this vision.
Annual Report 2014-2015
Friends Committee on National Legislation
This year has been a year of exciting growth for FCNL. Our network is getting bigger and is more diverse.
Newly-formed FCNL Advocacy Teams in cities across the country are building relationships with their members
of Congress to advance a world free of war. We’re training young adults through our new Advocacy Corps —
organizers working in their local communities to advance climate change legislation. This is a visible
manifestation of FCNL’s focus on young adult programming made possible by our capital campaign, “The
World We Seek: Now Is the Time.” FCNL Visiting Friends are traveling to meetings and churches to share their
own journeys to advocacy. And our Capitol Hill lobby events have gotten bigger — we had record participation
at the Quaker Public Policy Institute and Spring Lobby Weekend.
Your support and engagement are essential to how FCNL makes a difference in Washington, bringing our
country’s policies closer to the world we seek. We nurture one another to practice our faith and live out our
most deeply-held convictions through our actions. Thank you for being part of this work, through your financial
contributions, your advocacy, your participation in our priorities-setting, and your prayers and intentions.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) fields the largest team of registered
peace lobbyists in Washington, DC. Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society
of Friends (Quakers), the organization’s legislative priorities and policies are set by a General
Committee made up of 184 Quakers from around the country. FCNL’s multi-issue advocacy
connects Quaker testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity, and truth with peace and social
justice legislation for congressional action. FCNL is a nonpartisan organization.
Yours in gratitude and faith,
Diane Randall
Executive Secretary
DeAnne Butterfield
Clerk of the General Committee
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

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Members of the FCNL community at
Annual Meeting 2014.
Discernment of FCNL’s Priorities
Gathered in worship in November, FCNL’s governing
General Committee set priorities for FCNL’s work
in the 114th Congress. These priorities arise from
a year-long consultation with Quaker meetings and
churches, grounding our advocacy in the concerns
of Quakers nationwide. More than 160 groups gave
input into this process.
Engaging Friends
FCNL’s advocacy is rooted in the strength and passion of Friends. From our priorities-setting
process to the ways we help Friends embrace their change-making power, Quaker worship lies
at the heart of our work. We bring people together in a community working for a more peaceful
and just world.
Learn more: fcnl.org/ar/friends
FCNL is partnering with Friends Journal on QuakerSpeak.
On video, Friends from different backgrounds and traditions
share stories of their faith and how they live it in the world.
Find out more about the project: quakerspeak.com
See the priorities set by the General Committee:
fcnl.org/ar/priorities
Deepening Quaker Activism
FCNL Advocacy Teams work over the long term
to build relationships with members of Congress
around a specific issue. FCNL provides training,
information, and support for this deep advocacy.
One of these teams is based in Milwaukee Friends
Meeting. At an intensive workshop this summer led
by Maiya Zwerling, FCNL’s national field organizer,
participants practiced strategies to develop deep,
lasting relationships with elected officials. They also
strengthened relationships with each other and with
other faith groups in the community that attended
the workshop.
Collaborating on Shared Concerns
FCNL helps Friends act on deep concerns. For
some Friends, that concern is climate change.
FCNL’s new Advocacy Corps, which this year is
training 18 young adults to organize in their communities
for climate action, includes a member of
Tallahassee Monthly Meeting who is supported by
her community to take part in the program. FCNL
climate lobbyist Emily Wirzba traveled to Miami
this spring to be a resource for Southeastern Yearly
Meeting’s work to address climate change.
“Our communication with elected officials is about
carrying a message and a truth and offering ideas
that show another way… The spirit of love is
the basis of our work in this world. All of you are
carrying a ministry that allows you to bear this
witness.”
– Executive Secretary Diane Randall, speaking at
Jamestown Friends Meeting (NC), November 2014
National Field Organizer Maiya Zwerling speaks with Spring
Lobby Weekend participants about the importance and power
of letters to the editor.
Visiting in the Manner of Friends
“Friendly intervisitation, whether formal or informal,
has for more than three hundred years provided an
important opening for understanding and cooperation
in the affairs of Friends and for mutual ministry
and spiritual growth.”
– Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice
The Quaker tradition of intervisitation, or “traveling
in the ministry,” informs FCNL’s newly launched
Visiting Friends program. This year 22 Friends
travelled to 27 meetings and churches to share their
journey to activism and provide a window into the
spiritual depth of FCNL’s work.
The Visiting Friends also find this program valuable.
One participant, Maurice Warner of Seattle, observes,
“I lack the temperament of an activist. What can I
do? That’s where FCNL comes in for me…. I have
time to visit Friend groups and talk to them from
my heart.” Maurice’s visits to meetings in Eastern
Washington, Idaho, and Montana have allowed him
to act on a leading to connect to Friends who may
feel isolated by their beliefs, and he has built new
ties for FCNL in that part of the country.
The Visiting Friends program enables connections
across generations. Damian Morden-Snipper’s
presentation at a Pennsylvania meeting introduced
him to a World War II veteran who had lobbied
with FCNL on immigration in the 1980s. Damian
reflected, “The threads of our common experience,
spanning six decades, run through Quakerism and
through FCNL. I hope other Visiting Friends, and
those they meet … are as rewarded by their sharing
as I was.”
Photo Credit: Christine Letts, FCNL
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
»»
Persuaded Republican legislators to speak out
on climate change.
»»
Trained nearly 300 young adults to lobby for
bipartisan action on climate change.
»»
Recruited and hired 18 Advocacy Corps
members, who will organize in their communities
to move Congress on climate change.
Climate: Congress Is Talking
FCNL is breaking through the partisan divides that have made it difficult for Congress to
address — or even acknowledge — climate change. This year we have strengthened
congressional and grassroots relationships to advance our lobbying for climate solutions.
Learn more: fcnl.org/ar/climate
A Call to Conscience
By encouraging Congress to act based on faith or
moral values, FCNL is breaking through the partisanship
blocking climate change action.
We’ve had powerful conversations about the moral
imperative to care for our common home and future
through more than 350 lobby visits over the past
two years. We work with an interfaith coalition
that includes Evangelical, Protestant, Catholic, and
Jewish organizations. Pope Francis reinforced the
connection between faith and climate action in his
climate change encyclical, stating that the challenge
of protecting our common home requires talking
and working together as a “whole human family.”
This strategy is having results. Last fall, after meeting
with an interfaith delegation of constituents supported
by FCNL, Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) agreed to
draft a resolution to commit Congress to bipartisan
climate change action. We expect the resolution to
be introduced in fall 2015 as a powerful testament
to the concern for our climate that is shared across
diverse faiths and political affiliations.
FCNL lead climate lobbyist Jose Aguto urged
Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) to support energy
efficiency legislation.
Power of Young Voices
Climate change is a particularly pressing issue for
young adults. FCNL is helping them share their
concerns effectively with members of Congress.
From our Spring Lobby Weekend to our newly formed
Advocacy Corps, we are providing opportunities
for training, community-building, and meaningful
action. The future needs an advocate, and there is
no shortage of young people willing and ready to
step up for that challenge.
Lobbying for Climate Solutions
FCNL continues to advocate for bipartisan efforts to
curb and mitigate the effects of climate change. We
work closely with the sponsors of the Energy Efficiency
and Industrial Competitiveness Act and the
PREPARE Act to build support for their legislation.
We advocate for the Green Climate Fund, which
provides assistance to vulnerable communities
around the world affected by climate change.
Rev. Gray Maggiano spoke in September at an
FCNL-sponsored congressional briefing about the
major renovations his Episcopal cathedral in Miami has
required because of rising sea levels. The many stories
that FCNL shares with Congress have helped build
bipartisan support for climate change action.
Photo Credit:
Rick Reinhard
Spring Lobby Weekend participants came from 33 states in March to ask Congress to #TalkClimate. Here they meet with Rep.
Chris Gibson (R-NY), lead sponsor of a bipartisan climate change resolution.
Photo Credit: Unsplash.com CC0 1.0
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

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Kenyan community leaders who conduct
nonviolence training participate in a facilitation
workshop with FCNL’s Theo Sitther.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
»»
Ensured funding for the Complex Crises Fund in
2015 and built support for its continued work.
»»
Laid the groundwork to permanently authorize
the interagency Atrocities Prevention Board.
»»
Traveled to Burundi, Kenya, and the Central
African Republic to see first-hand the results of
U.S. peacebuilding investments.
»»
Led the Prevention and Protection Working
Group, a coalition of organizations working to
prevent conflict and mass atrocities.
Funding for Peacebuilding
Opposing Approaches that
Undermine Peacebuilding
The concern in the U.S. government to stop “terrorism”
and provide “security” often means an emphasis
on military support and funding. FCNL has been
a leading voice highlighting the downsides of this
approach to security. We have lobbied Congress
and the administration to oppose the proposed
Counter Terrorism Partnerships Fund, which would
help train police and military forces around the
world, and we have strengthened our collaborations
with other groups that share this perspective, such
as the Security Assistance Monitor. Theo Sitther
participates as a security assistance expert in the
Forum on Arms Trade.
Peacebuilding: Preventing Deadly Conflict
FCNL’s peacebuilding program promotes U.S. government civilian capacities to prevent and
mitigate violent conflict. Having successfully begun to make peacebuilding a part of U.S. strategies,
our work focuses in several areas: adequate funding for existing programs, coordination
within the U.S. government around these strategies, and blocking policies that would undermine
peacebuilding.
Learn more: fcnl.org/ar/peacebuilding
Funding for effective peacebuilding programs,
such as the Complex Crises Fund, is perennially in
question. Despite congressional attempts to dramatically
cut these programs’ budgets, our lobbying
of House and Senate appropriators helped ensure
funding for fiscal year 2015. For the first time in two
years, the House did not propose eliminating the
Complex Crises Fund in its budget blueprint.
The Prevention and Protection Working Group, which
we coordinate, is a powerful coalition concerned with
preventing violent conflict and atrocities. With this
group, we asked the administration for adequate
peacebuilding funds, leading the administration to
highlight the small yet critical Complex Crises Fund
in a letter to Congress.
Supporting Local Communities
Burundi: As 2015 elections approached, we coordinated
a monthly call with Quakers organizing early
warning systems to prevent an outbreak of violence.
FCNL’s Theo Sitther traveled to Burundi as part of
that work. In the spring, unrest escalated. FCNL met
with State Department, White House, USAID, and
congressional staff to make recommendations on a
U.S. response and helped coordinate a joint Quaker
statement on Burundi.
Coordinating U.S. Responses
Peacebuilding requires involvement and expertise
of people throughout the U.S. government. The
Atrocities Prevention Board is a locus for that
coordination. FCNL advocated for the board’s
creation, is leading efforts to legislate its permanent
authorization, and meets regularly with board participants.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has
proposed authorizing the board through mid-2017.
By building relationships with government officials,
FCNL ensures that lawmakers consider how policy
changes will affect peacebuilding. FCNL and other
partners meet regularly with State Department and
administration officials to discuss and share information
about peacebuilding. As a result, the State
Department included a strong emphasis on atrocities
prevention in its quadrennial policy review, a
focus that had been lacking in earlier drafts.
In March, FCNL’s Kate Edelen moderated a congressional
briefing on how demand for natural resources
has exacerbated violent conflict in the Central African
Republic. Staff from congressional offices, USAID, the
U.S. State Department, and non-governmental organizations
had the opportunity to talk about the role of
natural resource management in supporting peace.
Central African Republic (CAR): FCNL has
worked to keep CAR’s ongoing peacebuilding
needs in focus for Congress, hosting two briefings
for staff and producing a policy brief about the
connections between violence and natural resource
management in the country. FCNL’s Allyson
Neville-Morgan traveled to CAR and spoke with
peacebuilders about how the U.S. can help them
build long-term peace.
FCNL’s peacebuilding team, Allyson Neville-Morgan and Theo
Sitther, work with government agencies and non-government
organizations to encourage U.S. support for peacebuilding
practices around the world.
Photo Credit: Theo Sitther, FCNL
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
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Hosted largest lobby day focused solely on
supporting Iran nuclear deal. At least 25 members
of Congress made pro-diplomacy statements
after meeting with FCNL delegations.
»»
Helped delay votes that could have derailed Iran
negotiations. Led mobilization of the religious
community in supporting Iran deal.
»»
Cited in national media for pro-diplomacy leadership.
More than 300 constituent letters to the
editor published in all 50 states.
»»
Recognized by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY) for
work on dismantling nuclear weapons.
»»
Produced and distributed the Nuclear Calendar,
a weekly listing of nuclear weapons related
events that goes to 14,000 subscribers.
FCNL’s Kate Gould worked closely with Col. Lawrence
Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin
Powell, while lobbying in support of the Iran deal.
Iran Diplomacy: Moving Congress
Iran, Diplomacy & Nuclear Weapons
FCNL has led faith‐based lobbying for diplomacy with Iran for nearly a decade, mobilizing our
powerful network of constituents to influence Congress. When the U.S. and Iran reached a
deal this year to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, we redoubled our efforts to keep
the space open for diplomacy to succeed.
Learn more: fcnl.org/ar/iran & fcnl.org/ar/nuclear
Working for a World Free of Nuclear
Weapons
Diplomacy is key to preventing more countries from
acquiring nuclear weapons. FCNL’s Quaker Nuclear
Disarmament Program advocates U.S. investment
to secure nuclear materials and prevent their spread,
and for a reduction in the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
We lobbied congressional appropriators to eliminate
money for upgrades to the European version of the
B61, a tactical nuclear weapon. As federal budget
pressures have focused attention on nuclear weapons’
costs, we have brought groups outside of the
traditional arms control community into this work.
Six Libertarian organizations endorsed testimony
we submitted to a key House committee questioning
spending on nuclear weapons.
FCNL is “one of Capitol Hill’s most effective lobbying
groups.”
– Journalist Jim Lobe, Interpress News Service
More than a decade of persistence has helped shift
the tides toward diplomacy. When Congress cut off
the connection between the U.S. and Iran, FCNL
picked up the phone. When no officials were visiting
Iran, FCNL went. When sanctions were ramped
up, FCNL’s lobbying ramped up too. And when the
Obama administration started talking to Iran, FCNL
kept Congress from sabotaging diplomacy.
Even as relations thawed and negotiators worked to
complete a deal to address long-standing concerns
about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, some members of
Congress continued to advocate for punitive measures
that could have derailed talks.
FCNL’s advocacy for diplomacy intensified this year
as the deadline for a deal approached. Through
intense lobbying and media outreach, we ensured
that congressional offices heard repeatedly that
diplomacy was the best way to prevent a nuclear-armed
Iran and another war in the Middle East.
FCNL’s Iran Work Featured in:
Just days before a critical juncture in the talks, 440
people joined FCNL in Washington to lobby for diplomacy
with Iran. In more than 200 lobby visits, these
citizen advocates asked members to speak out in favor
of negotiations. Here, Roxanne Abbas of the Minnesota
Peace Project meets with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN).
FCNL’s nuclear weapons lobbyist David Culp speaks with Rep.
Jeff Fortenberry (NE), one of four members to receive an arms
control award organized by FCNL.
Photo Credit: “Secretary Kerry Poses for a Photo With P5+1 Leaders” by U.S. Department of State
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
»»
Key committee voted to sunset the 2001
Authorization for the Use of Military Force in
three years.
»»
Formed grassroots Advocacy Teams in 6
states, involving more than 100 people in
advocacy to repeal the 2001 Authorization.
»»
Passed legislation to ban torture by all U.S.
government agencies.
»»
Drew attention to efforts to cut the Pentagon’s
Overseas Contingency Operations slush fund.
Torture and Indefinite Detention
The 2001 Authorization has been used to justify
torture of suspected extremists. This year FCNL
advocated successfully for the release of the Senate
Intelligence Committee’s report on CIA torture, a
step to keep these mistakes from happening again.
Closing the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay is
another important step. Along with a coalition of
legal, human rights, and national security organizations,
we lobbied to keep Congress from restricting
the transfer of detainees.
Cutting Military Spending
Ending Endless Wars
The 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force
has given two presidents a blank check to justify
military action without congressional debate. FCNL
continues to lead advocacy in Washington for the
complete repeal of this law. Last year, the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee passed a sunset provision,
the first successful vote on this issue. More
than 200 members of Congress have now voted to
repeal this law at various times.
Violence in Iraq and Syria, perpetrated by the Islamic
State, was the backdrop for our lobbying. We visited
more than 60 offices urging members to insist on
congressional debate on the U.S. response. Our
staff wrote and shared policy papers critiquing the
administration’s bombing strategy and offered
concrete alternative approaches to protect civilians.
Channeling Grassroots Power
Through emails, phone calls, letters to the editor, and
personal visits, constituents are helping convince
Congress to support ending the “war on terror.”
Intensive outreach and organizing has built FCNL
Advocacy Teams, people working to build relationships
with their members of Congress and working
for legislative change.
Militarization of U.S. Foreign Policy
As the U.S. continues to use legislation passed in the wake of 9/11 to justify military action,
drone strikes, indefinite detention, and more, FCNL’s advocacy is eroding support for this
failed strategy of endless war.
Learn more: fcnl.org/ar/endlesswar
In January, more than 150 religious leaders met and
agreed to ask the administration to immediately halt
lethal drone strikes. FCNL’s Elizabeth Beavers co-chairs
the interfaith working group behind this gathering and
facilitated interfaith advocacy on this issue. FCNL
continues to work for transparency and accountability
in the U.S. drones program.
Photo Credit: “150511-F-FT438-052” by U.S. Department of Defense CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The U.S. military budget enables and sustains the
country’s militarized foreign policy. After successfully
advocating for the Pentagon budget to face
the same spending restrictions as other agencies,
we focused on ending the Overseas Contingency
Operations fund that allows the Pentagon to avoid
these caps. Our leadership has brought colleagues
in the domestic human needs community into this
work, strengthening our shared message.
Executive Secretary Diane Randall meets with Sen. Chris Murphy
(CT), who received the Ed Snyder peace award in 2014. Murphy
is working for a progressive U.S. foreign policy that “reach[es]
beyond the military budget to rediscover the power of non-kinetic
statecraft.” (Foreign Affairs, June 2015)
Lives that Speak: Ruth Hyde Paine
A lifelong advocate and longtime
FCNL supporter, Ruth
spent 30 years in Florida where
she worked with Southeastern
Yearly Meeting’s Nicaragua
project. This work led to many
trips to Central America and
first-hand knowledge about
the flaws in U.S. foreign policy.
Ruth reflects, “FCNL has the best chance to influence
U.S. foreign policy. It has a good reputation
with legislators based on accuracy and integrity, so
our voices are heard.” In retirement from her career
in education, Ruth continues to be active at Friends
House, a Quaker-inspired retirement community in
Santa Rosa, California.
Ruth has several charitable gift annuities with
FCNL, and she uses her charitable giving to reduce
the federal taxes she owes. In 2014 Ruth further
reduced her taxable income by donating her IRA
Required Minimum Distribution directly to the FCNL
Education Fund.
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

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Militarization of U.S. Domestic Policy
New regulations to severely restrict police departments’ access to weapons designed for a
battlefield are a response to a problem FCNL helped identify and develop solutions for. But the
idea that violence and harsher punishments will keep order in our communities runs deep into
the U.S. criminal justice system. FCNL is also working to end the policies that lead to mass
incarceration, which disproportionately affect people of color.
Learn more: fcnl.org/ar/incarceration & fcnl.org/ar/policing
As author Michelle Alexander writes in her influential
book, The New Jim Crow, the U.S. criminal justice
system is the legacy of generations of discrimination.
FCNL’s Tila Neguse met Alexander at a Pendle Hill
conference on ending mass incarceration. Tila is part of
the Quaker Network to End Mass Incarceration, and at
the conference she led a discussion about opportunities
to change federal laws.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
»»
Distribution of dangerous military weapons to
local police departments banned by President
Obama’s executive order.
»»
Lobbied a bipartisan group of senators to
encourage them to work through an impasse
on sentencing reform legislation.
Mass Incarceration: Massively Wrong
In part as a result of harsh sentencing laws, the U.S.
is the world’s leader in incarceration, with 2.2 million
people behind bars. FCNL is working to reform
these sentencing laws, which unequally burden
people of color.
FCNL is a key part of a coalition that advocated for
the Smarter Sentencing Act, a bipartisan bill to cut
mandatory minimum sentences for some drug-related
offenses in half, restore judges’ authority to
mitigate sentences where appropriate, and allow
thousands of prisoners to seek fairer sentences
under a recently-passed law. When the legislation
stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee, a bipartisan
group of senators went to work to craft a new
bill that could move forward through the impasse.
FCNL continued to lobby the members of the negotiating
team, pressing for a bill that would reduce
sentences to a fairer standard, address the root
causes of crime and violence, and help those who
have served their sentences to return as contributing
members of their communities.
Elizabeth Beavers (center), joined by Rep. Hank Johnson (GA)
(right) and journalist and activist Goldie Taylor (left), spoke at
the Netroots Nation Conference. They facilitated a conversation
around ensuring that elected officials hear — and act on — the
demands of activists concerned about police violence.
Getting Tanks off Main Street
As national attention focused on U.S. policing in
the aftermath of killings by police in Ferguson, New
York, Baltimore, and elsewhere, FCNL was already
moving legislation forward to end the program that
gave police departments easy access to free military
equipment. The Pentagon’s 1033 program has, over
the past 15 years, provided more than $4 billion in
tanks, assault rifles, and other weapons and equipment
to local police forces.
Since first bringing this issue to national attention in
the fall of 2013, FCNL has sponsored congressional
briefings and hearings on police militarization,
gained press attention, and collaborated closely
with Rep. Hank Johnson (GA) on the Stop Militarizing
Law Enforcement Act. With growing support for this
effort, President Obama announced in May a halt to
most transfers to local police departments through
the 1033 program. We continue to advocate for
legislation to make this ban permanent.
Lives that Speak: Merilee Janssen
Early in 2009, in response to a request for volunteers
in the Friends Meeting of Washington newsletter,
Merilee looked up FCNL online. She states: “I had
been struggling with the question, ‘How does your
life help to remove the causes of war?’ — which
was on a large banner in front of my meetinghouse.
It seemed to me that poverty, injustice, and lack of
education were primary causes of war and unrest
both here at home and around the world. FCNL was
addressing all of these issues.”
Merilee is one of FCNL’s most faithful volunteers,
answering the phone and helping with numerous
projects. She and her husband, David Oldfield, are
annual fund donors and recently made a commitment
to the capital campaign.
Photo Credit: “May Day Protest Seattle 2015” by Scottlum CC BY-NC 2.0
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

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FCNL’s Legislative Director Ruth Flower
stands at the U.S. / Mexico border.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Compassionate Immigration Reform
Meeting the Nation’s Needs
»»
Organized faith community advocacy on Native
language preservation, Indian school reconstruction,
and other Native American issues.
»»
Helped lead faith groups’ lobbying to block
passage of punitive immigration measures.
»»
Took part in a standing-room-only congressional
briefing on campaign finance reform.
Income Inequality
With partners in the faith and human needs communities,
FCNL lobbied for policies to address poverty,
income inequality, and economic justice. We asked
Congress to raise the minimum wage, enact paid
sick leave, ensure that children do not go hungry
over the summer, fund housing programs, and cut
poverty in half. As Congress considered its budget
recommendations, we lobbied for programs to support
people with low incomes and against proposals
that would increase poverty and inequality.
Rebuilding Democracy
FCNL joined with other faith groups to ask Congress
to take charge of the rules governing campaign
spending. While Congress has taken little action, we
have had productive conversations with Republican
and Democratic offices about the need for stronger
regulation. We continue to lay the groundwork for a
constitutional amendment that would allow Congress
to regulate campaign contributions.
FCNL helped coordinate Hill lobbying for the Interfaith
Immigration Coalition, which brings together
more than 40 Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and
ecumenical groups. Our collective lobbying helped
block legislation that would have made it harder
for asylum-seekers to gain a fair hearing. In a faith
community meeting with the White House, we
joined the coalition’s strong message on ending
family detention.
Witnessing for Native Americans
Almost every issue that Congress addresses affects
Native American communities. We host a regular
gathering for faith groups to learn about these
issues and to take coordinated action. This year,
this group lobbied successfully for Native language
preservation and tribal governance of children’s
programs. We also lobbied for Indian school reconstruction,
Indian health services, and support for
victims of violent crime in Indian country. FCNL’s
monthly Native American Legislative Update is a
trusted resource for tribal leaders and advocates,
academics, and federal agency staff.
What is needed to bring into being a society where every person’s potential many be fulfilled,
where people are treated with respect and dignity? FCNL’s advocacy for humane immigration
policies, Native American justice, and campaign finance reform seeks to answer these questions.
Lives that Speak: David Bassett
Learn more: fcnl.org/ar/humanneeds
David Bassett has been active in pacifist movements,
particularly conscientious objection to
military taxation, for most of his life. He provided
health care in rural India in the 1950s as part of the
Alternative Service program and went on to become
a cardiovascular specialist.
In recognition of FCNL’s long history of Native American
advocacy, Americans for Indian Opportunity selected
FCNL to receive its 2015 Spirit of Indigeneity Award.
This award recognizes FCNL for helping to make positive
political, economic, and social change.
FCNL facilitated the “Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change”
interactive workshop, along with Paula Palmer of Boulder
Meeting (pictured at left), for FCNL staff and our colleagues
in other organizations. This workshop traces the historic and
ongoing impact of European subjugation on Native people in an
effort to move toward right relationship.
Now retired, David and his wife Nan are involved in
Rochester Friends Meeting in upstate New York and
are strong supporters of FCNL’s work for peace and
justice. David is enthused about FCNL’s advocacy
training work with young adults. He is a generous
monthly donor to FCNL’s work and is supporting
the current capital campaign through an an outright
gift over five years and a bequest intention.
Photo Credit: Tom Vaughn, Feva Fotos
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

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FCNL staff and students with Rep.
Chris Gibson (NY) at Spring Lobby
Weekend.
It is imperative…
that we act for peace and justice in the world.
The capital campaign has revitalized the
historic Friend in Washington Program, which
brings seasoned Friends to Washington, DC. The
program allows them to lend their expertise on
issues of importance to FCNL and for members
of the FCNL community to live into our work. We
are excited to welcome Lon Burnam, a Friend from
Texas and a General Committee member, as the
next Friend in Washington this fall.
It is vital…
for us to support the next generation of advocates.
Young adults are essential partners in FCNL’s
vision of the future. They are eager to change the
world and energetic drivers of social change. This
year the campaign made it possible for FCNL to hire
our first-ever class of Advocacy Corps organizers —
a group of 18 young adults who receive intensive
training in Washington and then organize and
advocate in their home communities. Campaign
funds also supported a record number of young
adults to attend Spring Lobby Weekend 2015.
Friend in Washington Lon Burnam (right) meets with Sen. John
Cornyn (TX) about the Iran deal during FCNL’s 2014 Quaker
Public Policy Institute.
The World We Seek: Now Is the Time
FCNL is building a sustainable future through a capital campaign that will strengthen the
foundation for FCNL’s lobbying and programs. The campaign will raise $15 million over five
years, including $9 million in endowment funds to sustain new programs funded by the campaign.
Fiscal year 2015 was an extraordinary year for the
campaign. We have already been able to use funds
raised to extend FCNL’s lobbying capacity and expand
our young adult programs.
It is possible...
for our shared values to influence our government.
The capital campaign will also help grow FCNL’s
grassroots lobbying network. Campaign funds
will support programs like FCNL’s new Advocacy
Team program, which builds groups of advocates
for in-district lobbying around the country. More and
more advocates — Quakers and others — are being
drawn to our effective practice of engaging our
nation’s leaders. The capital campaign is promoting
greater participation in civil dialogue on issues
essential for humanity and our planet.
We have the opportunity...
to create a more visible presence on Capitol Hill.
The creation of a Quaker Welcome Center on
Capitol Hill by renovating 205 C Street, the residential
building next door to FCNL’s office, will build on
our legacy of witnessing for an Earth restored by
creating a new green building. The Welcome Center
will provide a meeting space for Quakers and others
to learn about effective advocacy, provide housing
for the Friend in Washington, and provide a Quaker
Welcome Center on the first floor.
Advocacy Corps organizers Krystal Delores Milam (OH) and
Joey Hartmann-Dow (PA) at the Capitol during this summer’s
intensive training.
Architectural exterior view of 205 C Street.
Photo Credit: Rick Reinhard
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

19
FCNL Summer Interns in
fiscal year 2015.
Supporting FCNL’s Work
For FCNL and the FCNL Education Fund, support comes in many forms. We are fortunate to count more than
60,000 individuals in our national network of advocates who take action with us on issues of national importance.
Many of those same individuals, along with hundreds of Friends meetings and churches and other
organizations around the country, also support our work financially.
In accordance with IRS regulations, donations to FCNL to advance its lobbying efforts for peace and justice
are not tax-deductible. The FCNL Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, exists in parallel with FCNL to
support the research, analysis, and education for which FCNL is known and respected. Gifts to the FCNL
Education Fund are tax-deductible.
FCNL Executive Committee & Education Fund Board
DeAnne Butterfield, Clerk, Boulder, CO
Intermountain Yearly Meeting
Eric Ginsburg, Assistant Clerk, Chapel Hill, NC
North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
David Bantz, Recording Clerk, Fairbanks, AK
Alaska Friends Conference
Constance Brookes, Treasurer, Bradford, NH
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Becky Steele, Treasurer, Ed Fund, Portland, ME
New England Yearly Meeting
Diane Randall, Executive Secretary, Washington, DC
New England Yearly Meeting
Marion Ballard, Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Deb Fink, Ames, IA
Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
Mary Lou Hatcher, Bethlehem, PA
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Beth Henricks, Indianapolis, IN
Western Yearly Meeting
Mark Kharas, Cambridge, MA
New England Yearly Meeting
Kara Newell, Milwaukie, OR
Northwest Yearly Meeting
Karen Putney, Tampa, FL
Southeastern Yearly Meeting
Kelly Schoolmeester, Washington, DC
Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting & Association
David Snyder, Oberlin, OH
Lake Erie Yearly Meeting
John Wilkin, Milwaukie, OR
Northwest Yearly Meeting
Gifts in Memoriam
John A. Bacharach
Mrs. Richard Becker
Winifred and Martin Beer
Robert F. Berquist
Hank Bierbaum
Harry Blumenthal
Pat and Clark Bouwman
Steven Brion-Meisels
Rev. Edward Martin Brown III
Diki Bull
Dr. William P. Cadwallader
Franklin and Mary Clark
Forrest and Mia Coburn
Paul T. Condit, Jr.
Marie Condon
Helen Corneli
Neal W. Cornell
Anna Mary de Nevers
Frances H. Fry Deal
Felix and Irene du Breuil
Sally Ann Robinson Fletcher
Charlotte and Willard Foote
Nancy Foster
Candida M. Fraze
Howard Fullerton
Barbara Gilbert
Chester A. Graham
Annette Petersen Greenberg
Christopher Thomas Hall
Wilton Hartzler
Irving Hollingshead
Josephine Johnston
Ralph Kerman
Robert Kicklighter
Dr. Stewart Kirkaldy
Ann Kulp
Margaret Walker Lippincott
Foundation Support*
Albon Man
Jean Maryborn
John McCamant
Michael Merrill
Rev. William Miller
Ray and Clara Millett
Francis D. and
Marcella A. Moran
Shirley Mae McLaughlin
Souza Mullen and
Harold Edward Mullen
Juanita Nelson
Richard V. O’Brien, Sr.
Alison Oldham
Winona C. Ondra
John Brinton Perera
Erica Beckh Rubenstein
Carolyn Rudd
Mrs. Ann Salamanca
Christine Schurtman
Ursula M. Scott
Folwell Scull
Jack and Doris Singer
A. Neil Skinner
Allogan Slagle
John and Hattie Sordean
Ronald Steelman
Alison and John Swords
Howard R. Taylor
Elizabeth Wical Terrell
R. Jan Thompson
Marjorie Thompson
Ruth Vurek
Kevin Walden
Lilian K. Watford
Paul and Amy Weber
Norman R. Williams
Sara Bowers Fund of Kennett Friends Meeting
Colombe Foundation
Dime-A-Gallon Dream Fund of Strawberry Creek Meeting
D’Olier Foundation
Allen Hilles Fund
Humanity United
J & L Foundation
Lindley Murray Fund of New York Yearly Meeting
Lippincott Foundation
Marshall-Reynolds Foundation
Stewart R. Mott Charitable Foundation
Nuclear Threat Initiative
Open Society Policy Center
Ploughshares Fund
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
Thomas H. and Mary Williams Shoemaker Fund
* Does not include grants under the capital campaign,
“The World We Seek: Now Is the Time”
Affiliated Yearly Meetings &
Quaker Groups
Alaska Friends Conference
Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Great Plains Yearly Meeting
Illinois Yearly Meeting
Intermountain Yearly Meeting
Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
Iowa Yearly Meeting (FUM)
Lake Erie Yearly Meeting
Missouri Valley Friends Conference
New Association of Friends
New England Yearly Meeting
North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
North Carolina Yearly Meeting (FUM)
North Pacific Yearly Meeting
Northern Yearly Meeting
Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
Pacific Yearly Meeting
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
South Central Yearly Meeting
Southeastern Yearly Meeting
Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting & Association
Western Association of the Religious Society of Friends
Western Yearly Meeting
Wilmington Yearly Meeting
American Friends Service Committee
Friends Committee on Legislation (California)
Friends Committee on Legislation (Indiana)
Friends General Conference
Friends United Meeting
Quaker Earthcare Witness
United Society of Friends Women International
Aurelia D’Amore Photography
Lives that Speak: Julia Hejl & Dan Allen
“I love seeing FCNL pop up in my Facebook feed.
It’s just a constant reminder that there is someone
out there who is, for lack of a better term, fighting
for my values in DC.”
– Julia Hejl and Dan Allen, former FCNL staff, asked
that friends and family make gifts to the capital campaign
in lieu of wedding gifts.
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

21
FCNL Young Fellows in fiscal year 2015.
Financials
The generous support of FCNL’s community ensured that fiscal year 2015 was a strong year. Our endowment
is growing thanks to prudent investing and the success of our capital campaign. These, combined with increased
donor contributions, have allowed FCNL to invest more into our programs that further the world we seek.
Gifts to the capital campaign have funded the launch of the Advocacy Corps, an increase in participation in
Spring Lobby Weekend, and stronger young adult programs.
$600,000
$ 600,000
$500,000
$400,000
$300,000
$200,000
$100,000
$0
0
$ 6,000,000
5,000,000
Investing in Young Adults
Young Fellows
Young
Fellows
Total Spending
Spring Lobby
Weekend Spring
Lobby
Weekend
Advocacy Corps
Advocacy
Corps
Program
Management
Program
Management
Capital Campaign Support
Capital campaign funds are already helping to expand
our young adult programs.
Strong Steady Growth
Growth of Monthly Sustainers
Sustainers Sustainer Contributions
450,000 2009 768 269,515
2010 814 302,797
2011 897 312,885
2012 934 329,587
400,000
2013 1018 343,131
2014 1140 386,596
2015 1244 422,936
350,000
Sustainers Sustainer Contributions
2009 768 269515
Total 2011 897 312885
Spending2013 1018 343131
300,000
2015 1244 422936
$ 450,000
Capital
Campaign
Support
250,000
200,000
150,000
2009 2011 2013 2015
Amount of Sustainer Gifts
Sustainer Contributions Sustainers
Sources of Income
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
800
600
400
Number of Sustainers
The number of sustainers, who give a regular monthly gift
to FCNL or the FCNL Education Fund, has been steadily
increasing.
Operating Revenue
Contributions
Bequests
Net Assets Released
Net Investment Income
Other Income
Total Unrestricted Income
2014-2015
FCNL 501(c)4
$ 1,719,732
881,569
200,737
(29,567)
111,740
$ 2,884,211
2014-2015
ED FUND 501(c)3
$ 1,596,030
953,565
578,800
43,151
(45,411)
$ 3,126,135
2014-2015
COMBINED
$ 3,315,762
1,835,134
779,537
13,584
66,329
$ 6,010,346
2013-2014
COMBINED
$ 3,009,667
447,199
307,297
630,100
54,126
$ 4,448,389
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
Operating Expenses
Program
Development*
Administration
Total Expenses
Change in Net Assets
From Operations
Non-Operating Income
Total Changes in Net Assets
$ 1,199,126
522,359
216,455
$ 1,937,940
$ 946,271
–
$ 946,271
$ 1,778,636
935,157
464,544
$ 3,178,337
$ 1,530,624
180,203
$ 1,710,827
$ 2,977,762
1,457,516
680,999
$ 5,116,277
$ 2,476,895
180,203
$ 2,657,098
$ 2,575,604
1,329,858
574,305
$ 4,479,767
$ (31,378)
487,767
$ 456,389
-
0
2010
2011
2012
Program Expenses Administation Expenses Development Expenses
Total Endowment Annual Fund Contributions
Development Expenses
Administration Expenses
Program Expenses
2013
2014
Total Endowment
2015
Annual Fund Contributions
Start of Capital Campaign
Strong investments and increased annual giving means FCNL is able to
put more resources into our program work. The new staff and constituent
engagement efforts increase our capacity to advance the world we seek.
Individual Donors: 45%
Foundations: 7%
Quaker Meetings & Churches: 2%
Bequests: 31%
Endowment Harvest: 3%
Other, Including Investments: 12%
For more information regarding
financials please contact
Jeri Rhodes: 800.630.1330 x 2535
* Includes expenses for The World We Seek: Now Is the Time Capital Campaign.
Only campaign income transferred to cover campaign expenses is reflected in this report.
Living our Faith through Action » Annual Report 2014/2015

We Seek
a world free of war
and the threat of war.
We Seek
a society with equity
and justice for all.
We Seek
a community where
every person’s potential
may be fullfilled.
We Seek
an earth restored.
Living our Faith through Action
Friends Committee on National Legislation
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