Partnering with Faith-Based and Community Organizations:

A Guide for State and Local Officials Administering Federal Block and Formula Grant Funds

Introduction

This guidebook is intended to provide practical information on developing and enhancing partnerships with effective faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) to State and local officials, and to tribes and tribal-serving organizations, that are administering federal block and formula grant funds. The underlying assumptions of this guidebook are that there are barriers to more active partnership between States and localities and FBCOs and that these barriers can be addressed. The information in this guide—presented in a question­and-answer format with references included—helps to identify the specific barriers that exist and implement a plan to overcome these barriers. Ultimately, this guidebook is intended to provide assistance in meeting the goals of administered grant programs and to equip State and local officials to serve low-income individuals in jurisdictions across the country through partnerships with effective FBCOs. It should be noted that the opportunities for increased service provision by FBCOs vary by the different block and formula grant funds. In addition, opportunities vary within States and localities depending on the organizational framework through which block and formula grant funds are administered. However, the general concepts described in this guide can be applied regardless of the funding stream under consideration.

 

Table of Contents

• SECTION 1: BACKGROUND INFORMATION
  • Part 1: The Faith-based and Community Initiative
  • Part 2: Charitable Choice and Equal Treatment Regulations
  • Part 3: Funding Issues
  
  
• SECTION 2: OVERVIEW OF A STATE OR LOCAL STRATEGY
  • Part 1: Process Overview
  • Part 2: Acknowledging and Anticipating Issues
  
  
• SECTION 3: DEVELOPING AN APPROACH
  • Part 1: Clarify the Vision
  • Part 2: Determine a Structure to Encourage and Support the Effort
  • Part 3: Gather Some Basic Information
  • Part 4: Assess Barriers
  • Part 5: Target Your Efforts
  
  
• SECTION 4: ADDRESSING FUNDING ISSUES
  • Part 1: Overview
  • Part 2: Scope of the Partnership
  • Part 3: Solicitation Method
  • Part 4: Selection Method
  • Part 5: Financial Considerations
  • Part 6: Accountability
  • Part 7: Monitoring Prohibited Activities
  
  
• SECTION 5: ENHANCING CAPACITY
  • Part 1: FBCO Capacity
  • Part 2: State and Local Capacity
  
  
• SECTION 6: DEVELOPING AN OUTREACH STRATEGY
  • Part 1: Developing Information
  • Part 2: Disseminating Information
  • Part 3: Generating Interest
  
  
• SECTION 7: IDENTIFYING OTHER RESOURCES
  • Part 1: State and Local Contacts
  • Part 2: Federal Contacts
  • Part 3: Other Resources