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A recent report has identified Alabama and Kansas as the leading states in terms of being ‘faith-friendly,’ while Michigan and Washington rank among the lowest for protecting freedoms tied to religious nonprofits. This evaluation comes from the Napa Legal Institute’s latest edition of the ‘Faith & Freedom Index.’
In examining how state laws impact faith-based organizations, the report assessed various factors affecting their operations. It considered 15 distinct criteria, including regulatory burdens and religious freedom protections in employment law and state constitutions. Based on these criteria, each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia received specific scores.
The report’s authors indicated that despite efforts from the White House to safeguard religious liberty, numerous states still fall short in protecting faith-based organizations. Interestingly, although many Republican-led states achieved favorable scores, the results do not strictly align along partisan lines.
According to the 2025 report, the highest overall scores for safeguarding religious and regulatory freedoms for faith-based nonprofits were granted to Alabama (72%), Kansas (69%), Indiana (68%), Texas (65%), and Mississippi (63%).
Alabama and Kansas were particularly noted for having stronger protections for religious free exercise or worship in their state constitutions than what is provided by the First Amendment. Additionally, both states received praise for enacting nondiscrimination laws that do not impair faith-based employers and for establishing state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Acts.
However, some more liberal states outperformed conservative ones in certain legal aspects. For instance, New York scored slightly higher than states like Alaska, Tennessee, and South Carolina in specific areas. Connecticut also appeared favorable due to its state-level RFRA, contrasting with states such as Ohio and Alaska, which lack similar protections.
The authors of the report stressed that solid state laws are crucial, especially in regions with leadership that is less supportive of religious organizations.
For example, the report highlighted that even though California’s current administration may not be favorable towards religion, nonprofit religious corporations in California enjoy legal protections like exemption from certain state charitable registration requirements, as well as greater autonomy in matters compared to their secular counterparts.
This report is timely, considering recent events where a Christian worship event faced significant backlash from LGBTQ leaders in a predominantly liberal city. Such incidents underscore the complex landscape for faith-based organizations.
Michigan, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, West Virginia, and Maryland received the lowest ratings for their efforts in protecting religious and regulatory freedoms, according to the report. Michigan and Washington were specifically cited as two of the worst locations to operate a faith-based nonprofit.
These states were highlighted as having several laws that could potentially hinder operations, including broad Blaine Amendments and nondiscrimination laws that may lack strong exemptions for faith-based employers and public-facing ministries.
Napa Legal, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing legal resources to religious groups, emphasized the critical need for robust state-level protections.
The group warned that the increasing number of religious freedom attacks over recent years serves as a stark reminder that, without strong protections at the state level, ordinary Americans will ultimately suffer, regardless of the federal administration’s stance.
Frank Devito, Senior Counsel at Napa Legal, stated that incidents from some of the lowest-scoring states exemplify the pressing need for effective legal protections. He pointed out the challenges faced by religious practitioners and concerned parents in areas where legal statutes appear unwelcoming.
The report highlighted that lawmakers have a unique opportunity to enhance protections, especially while the current administration and the Supreme Court champion the cause of religious liberty. The 2025 Faith and Freedom Index acts as a crucial resource for legislators to identify areas where protections can be reinforced, and harmful laws can be repealed.
The report concluded by noting that this moment presents a chance to implement strong, lasting protections that will benefit the rights of American citizens for generations. Furthermore, it acknowledged states that have improved their standings compared to previous years, such as Wyoming and Georgia, both of which have enacted RFRA laws and climbed in the rankings to sixth and ninth places, respectively.
This comprehensive examination of religious freedoms indicates a significant landscape for faith-based organizations across the country. As various states navigate the complexities of legal protections, the findings will influence future legislative efforts and public discussions regarding religious liberty.
