IF: Building a New Society

What is IF?

A nonprofit organization that seeks alternatives to a world of violence, greed and destruction. Our mission is to support ideas and actions that offer hope and opportunity.

Why is the organization called IF?

In 1976, a group of friends in the San Francisco Bay area realized they could either give in to helplessness and despair about widespread war, injustice, pollution, hunger – or they could ask the question, “What if…?” It’s a question that leads us away from anger, fear, divisiveness and blame, and starts us on a path of hope, ingenuity, collective action and transformation. This group of friends founded IF to promote active engagement with the struggles taking place at the time – raising consciousness about ecology, about senseless wars, about injustice that leads to hunger and poverty. IF members are people who consciously create rich lives of community, awareness, growth and meaning.

What does IF do?

Committed Action
As an independent nonprofit, we support projects offering hopeful alternatives for health, sustainable development, education and other social projects around the world and in the US. Turn this page to see descriptions of current projects.

Integrities
Since 1986 our quarterly publication, Integrities, has featured commentary on world events; stories about courageous people, famous and unknown, who tirelessly work for a better world; and essays focused on the interconnectedness between all of us – how the suffering of others relates to our own lifestyle choices. Integrities emphasizes the importance of making small changes and appreciating simple gifts of nature, creativity and friendship.

Education and Solidarity
IF hosts workshops and gatherings featuring topics from soul work to human rights to environmental concerns. Presentations from IF-supported projects in developing countries offer insights into the regions where they are located, as well as the role US foreign policy, international aid and debt, regional military and economic powers, and religious, political and social institutions and movements. Locally, IF/When, a faith-sharing group, participates in direct action for affordable housing, economic justice, humane immigration policies and other pressing community needs.

Radical Dialogue
We maintain a blog site called Radical Dialogue, a forum for ongoing thoughtful, constructive discussions on personal and social transformation. Radical Dialogue emphasizes that through understanding, compassion and respect we can construct real possibilities for positive change. To join the conversation, visit http://radicaldialogue.wordpress.com.

IF Dinners and Celebrations
IF Dinners are a beloved tradition. For over 30 years, we have hosted gourmet meals for us together to make connections and generate new possibilities. A warm, convivial atmosphere pervades at our events, whether they are themed sit-down dinners with entertainment or potluck celebrations with sing-alongs. They are a wonderful way for IF members to introduce the organization to newcomers.

In the Beginning ...

Dissatisfaction and Despair, by Bill Cane

Meet IF Staff