The Task-Force for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is the result of President Bush’s order to create a center at the Department of Justice. In July 2001, the Task-Force released a comprehensive survey of the programs in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs to determine if there are inappropraite barriers to the full participation of faith-based groups in applying for government grants and cooperative agreements. The survey also looked at how these programs might be made more accessible to faith-based and small community groups. In August of 2001, the White House issued its report, "Unlevel Playing Field," based on the work of the five centers. You may access a copy of the report that was issued by the White House at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/unlevelfield.html
Our Mission
The Task Force's purpose is to promote good works by neighbors, particularly in the areas of juvenile delinquency, prisoners and their families, victims of crime, domestic violence, and drug addiction/treatment/prevention. It is doing so by identifying and eliminating barriers to the participation of faith-based and community-based organizations in grants funded by the Department of Justice, highlighting best practices, helping bring innovative programs to the attention of the nation, and providing information to assist Faith-based and Community-based groups in having an equal opportunity to compete for grants.
Working with the OJP, the Task Force is able to provide assistance in identifying resources and training to Faith Based and Community Based organization. The Task Force does not make the decisions about which groups are funded. Those decisions are made through a careful competitive process established by OJP. There is no funding set aside for faith-based organizations, nor is there a separate fund established by the White House, the Department of Justice, or any of the other Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Faith-based and community-based groups are currently eligible to apply for some of OJP's grant programs, as well as those programs offered by the Bureau of Prisons and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
For a summary of all federal domestic programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance or benefits to the American public, please consult the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). To review a summary of federal domestic programs, go to this site (www.cfda.gov). This document is very large and difficult to use. We suggest you start with our list of programs open to participation by faith-based and community groups and information on the web sites of the Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the other four federal departments. For Justice Department funding opportunities, go to this site (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm).
Other funding sources may be available through your state, city or county. In addition to government sources, funding may also be available from private foundations and corporations.
Requests for Speakers/Conferences/Workshops
The Department of Justice Task Force for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives staff is very eager to help you understand funding opportunities and see to it that you receive the assistance you need to compete for grants on a level playing field. The staff who operate the various grant programs are the best source of technical assistance.
We receive many requests for speaking engagements. When possible, we like to meet with faith-based and community groups to hear their concerns and to speak at their gatherings. We must carefully select the opportunities that will allow us to use our limited resources to reach the maximum number of people. Please be patient with us as we cannot honor every request. Please submit all requests in writing to the United States Department of Justice, Task Force for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, c/o Michael Carrington, Deputy Director, Rm 4413, 950 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530, (202) 514-2987 or via email to michael.carrington@usdoj.gov. Also, please include as much information as possible about your organization and the event.
For information about Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives located in the White House and the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, and Housing and Urban Development, please contact them directly. You may access their websites by going to the home page at (http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/).
