Formation 1943 Region served United States Staff 40-50 | Type Non-profit corporation Executive Secretary Diane Randall Founded 1943 | |
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Purpose Peace and justice advocacy Headquarters Washington, D.C., United States Motto A Quaker Lobby in the Public Interest Similar Friends General Conference, Friends United Meeting, Physicians for Social Responsibility, General Board of Church a, Center for International Policy Profiles | ||
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is a lobbying organization in the public interest founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends. FCNL works for social and economic justice, peace, stewardship of the environment, and good government in the United States.
Contents
FCNL has a General Committee of about 220 Quakers from across the United States. FCNL advocates on several issues that are extensions of the Quaker testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity, and integrity.
FCNL is a member of Win Without War and Alliance for Peacebuilding, among other working groups and coalitions.
Mission
The organization's mission statement has been in use since 1977 "as a guidance for considering Quaker stances on national legislation":
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 fulfilled
We seek an earth restored.
Establishment
FCNL was established on June 12–13, 1943 in Richmond, Indiana by Quakers from 15 yearly meetings. It was preceded by the Friends War Problems Committee, a three-year temporary lobbying organization against universal conscription.
Funding
Two separate organizations comprise FCNL: the FCNL Education Fund and the Friends Committee on National Legislation. The Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit which does not engage in lobbying, and donations to it are tax deductible. The Friends Committee on National Legislation is a 501(c)(4) civic organization which lobbies Congress.
The majority of FCNL's budget comes from individual donations. FCNL is also supported by contributions from Quaker Meetings and churches (including Yearly Meetings and Quarterly Meetings), foundations, bequests and endowments.
In 2016, FCNL had a budget of US$ 8.0 million and net assets of US$ 28.0 million.
Positions
FCNL's legislative advocacy is based on their policy statement: The World We Seek which identifies the organization's policy positions.
Policy positions for FCNL's work during the 114th Congress (2015-2016):
Like other Quaker groups, FCNL's General Committee comes to unity on policy and priorities.`