The Points of Light Foundation was awarded a gift of $107,000 by the Lilly Foundation to support the Interfaith Community Ministry Network (ICMN). This grant provided funds for one year to support the objectives of the Initiative:

• Strengthening ICMN and community ministries
• Strengthening ICMN board operations
• Increasing communication among ICMN and Foundation networks
• Providing opportunities to ICMN members for leadership development
• Providing ICMN services, including member publications

During the grant period, the Foundation's Faith Initiative:

• Increased its outreach to 300 new communities through membership campaigns and conferences
• Increased Faith and Service Magazine membership by 30%.
• Held training and conferences. These offered faith community service groups funding advice and ways to improve program quality.
• Added four board members, one Christian, one Jewish, and two Muslims.

The grant also put in motion:

• Plans to initiate an Institute for Effective Faith Practice to develop and house materials for faith and interfaith groups
• Efforts to increase involvement in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Though the day's events fell outside the grant period, the work was started earlier and it was a great success, with more than 30 cities involved in the initiative.