E-Newsletter for November 4, 2008

In this issue:

• Fates of State Faith Initiatives Hinge on Governors’ Races
• Q&A on Building the Capacity of Faith-Based Organizations
• Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community Organization Eligibility
• Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

New! Fates of State Faith Initiatives Hinge on Governors’ Races

When it comes to the future of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative, all eyes have been focused
on the next inhabitant of the White House. The fate of one of George W. Bush’s key domestic policy
issues lies largely in the hands of the new President-elect. Whether that is Republican John McCain
or Democrat Barack Obama, it appears that the Bush Administration’s effort to encourage religious
charities to provide more social services will survive in some form, though differ considerably on important
details, such as whether government-funded religious charities should be able to base hiring decisions on
a person’s faith. At least that’s the case at the federal level.

But close observers of the faith-based effort know that significant activity to promote government
partnerships with faith-based groups has also recently centered on the states. It’s been part of the Bush
Administration’s strategy in its final years to cement the Initiative by encouraging its growth within the 36
states, as well as cities, that have established their own faith-based offices or designated liaisons to the
faith community. And the fate of some state initiatives, too, rests on the outcome of Tuesday’s election.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondents Claire Hughes and Anne Farris.

New! Q&A on Building the Capacity of Faith-Based Organizations

Developing the organizational capacity of faith-based organizations that wish to compete for government
grants has been a hallmark of the Bush Administration’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative. The
Administration has identified such capacity-building as a key strategy to “leveling the playing field” for
small, grassroots religious charities that want to compete for government service contracts against larger,
entrenched organizations.

The legality of these grants came into question in a 2006 case concerning a federal grant to a marriage
education program. The lawsuit included two charges: (1) that the government was illegally funding a Bible-
based program; and (2) that it was improper for the Christian organization to use tax money to improve its
ability to raise funds, write grants and manage finances – all things that would support its religious as well
as secular activities. The lawsuit was dismissed after it was determined that the grant recipient had altered
its marriage programs to exclude religious content. Therefore the court never ultimately addressed the
question of whether government could provide capacity-building grants to support secular purposes, if the
recipient’s religious functions would ultimately benefit from that support, too.

The Roundtable has asked a version of that unanswered question here: Should the federal government
provide capacity-building grants to faith-based organizations that want to provide secular services, if it is
possible that the organization’s improved facilities and capabilities will also enhance their religious
programming? Responding are three experts who have spent years looking at this issue from different
perspectives: Heidi Rolland Unruh, a policy analyst who has studied faith-based initiatives and developed
resources for churches seeking to increase their service work; Rev. Barry Lynn, an ardent opponent of
faith-based initiatives who heads Americans United for Separation of Church and State; and Janine
Vanderburg, the head of a consulting firm that has provided capacity-building funds and training to faith-
based and community groups as part of a federal contract.

Click here to read the Q&A.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs
administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and by the U.S. Agency for
International Development.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise,
or experience in particular foreign countries.

Click here for the grants digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Heavenly Help; Churches Organize Volunteers to Help Restore Homes Damaged In Flooding
Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9063

After Hurricane Ike, Lutherans Respond
Lutheran Magazine (Chicago, Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9070

Demand Growing For Food Assistance as Holidays Near
The Boston Globe

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9048

$64k Donation Will Feed Hungry Children in South Jersey
Philadelphia Business Journal

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9049

Giving Back--Homeless People Volunteer To Clean Up Fire-Damaged Apartment Building In Fredericksburg
The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9050

Faith Groups Fighting Banks on Foreclosures
The Boston Globe

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9051

Manchester Housing Advocacy Group Adds a Tool
The Hartford Courant

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9052

Faith-Based Clinic Idea Catching On
The Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9053

Faith-Based Housing Agency In King George Builds Its First Single-Family Home
The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9054

The Amachi Program Sees Need For 1,100 In Boone Co.
Columbia Daily Tribune (Missouri)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9055

Women Have ‘Place' To Recover From Abuse
St. Louis Review Online

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9056

Bishop To Voters: Don't Repeal New Beverage Tax
Portland Press Herald (Maine)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9057

People of Haiti in Dire Need of Help after Hurricanes Leave Them with No Food, Housing or Jobs
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly (PBS)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9058

Dare Mighty Things gets federal Outstanding Contractor award
Seacoastonline.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9059

Local Pastors Consider Role In Addressing Domestic Violence
Florence Morning News (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9060

After Ike, Volunteers Pitch In To Help Rebuild Lives
The Houston Chronicle

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9061

Kenilworth Lawyer Helps Care For Those In Need
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9062

Politics and Prayer
The Chronicle of Philanthropy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9064

Conroe Residents Oppose Halfway House Location
The Houston Chronicle

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9065

Churches Are Looking At Hard Times
Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9066

Golden Harvest Receives Donation Of Canned Goods From Local Synagogue
Aiken Standard (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9067

New Strategies Help Disaster Survivors
Disaster News Network

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9068

Religious Leaders Call For More Jail Oversight
The Arizona Republic

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9069

Home Programs Prominent In Budget; Nagin's Plan Helps Low-Income Buyers
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9071

Salvation Army Cupboards Not Bare ... Yet
Roseville Press Tribune (Roseville, California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9072

County Tourism Group to Rehear Grant Request
Hernando Today (Brooksville, Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9073

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 11/4/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_11_4_08.cfm