Understanding funding for faith-based and community organizations
Abstract
The Charitable Choice provision of the federal welfare reform law, enacted in 1996, encourages states to involve community and faith-based organizations in providing federally funded welfare services to the poor and needy. This effective practice provides ten tips for faith-based organizations considering federal funding under this provision. It is based on the handout Charitable Choice: Top Ten Tips for Faith-based Organizations developed by Stanley W. Carlson-Thies in 1999, and was published by the Center for Public Justice.Issue
Faith-based organizations may need help deciding whether or not to participate in welfare services funded by the new federal welfare block grants.Action
Ten tips for faith-based organizations considering federal funding under the Charitable Choice provision of the federal welfare reform law are:
- Plans, not just visions
- Don't chase money
- Be accountable
- Avoid dependency
- Separate incorporation
- Join hands
- Be careful about religion
- Get into the loop
- Check with a lawyer
- Advocate as well as serve
Context
The Center for Public Justice is a national non-profit citizenship and policy research organization that engages in research, produces publications, and assists with training and advocacy from a faith-based perspective. The Charitable Choice provision (Section 1040) of the federal welfare reform law, enacted in 1996, encourages states to involve community and faith-based organizations in providing federally funded welfare services to the poor and needy.
Charitable Choice exists as a program arm of The Center for Public Justice.