HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced $30 million in funding for a new initiative to help level the playing field for faith- and community-based organizations seeking to obtain funding from the Department of Health and Human Services. He called this action "the leading edge" of President Bush's goal of better supporting these groups as they deliver health and social services to people in need.

"Faith- and community-based organizations are often the most effective groups in carrying out the purposes of HHS programs, yet many do not have the staff or expertise to successfully apply for our funding," Secretary Thompson said. "With today's awards, we begin a new effort to help faith- and community-based organizations get a fair and equal opportunity to compete for HHS funds."

Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, welcomed HHS' announcement. "For too long, government has made it difficult -- if not impossible -- for small charities and faith-based organizations to provide federally-funded services," he said. "The Compassion Capital Fund is key to making sure these organizations have the tools they need to expand their services to poor and needy Americans."

HHS is by far the largest grant-making agency in government, awarding more than $200 billion every year, more than all other federal agencies combined.

Today's awards from HHS' Compassion Capital Fund include $24.8 million divided among 21 intermediary organizations to provide technical assistance to help faith-based and community organizations effectively access funding sources, operate and manage their programs, develop and train staff, expand the reach of programs into the community and replicate promising programs. Technical assistance will be free to interested organizations.

Intermediary organizations will also issue sub-awards to faith- and community-based organizations to support start-up costs, operations or expansion of programs. Priority for sub-awards will be given to programs that address homelessness, hunger, the needs of at-risk children, transition from welfare to work and those in need of intensive rehabilitation such as addicts or prisoners. The Compassion Capital program will support only technical assistance and non-religious social services.

"We've seen a lot of good people doing great work with no help from the government," Bobby Polito, director of the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. "Hopefully with this new funding more needy Americans will be touched by the compassion of the people of this great nation."

HHS is also awarding four grants totaling more than $850,000 to support research regarding how faith- and community-based organizations provide social services and the role they play in communities and in the lives of the people they serve.

In addition, HHS is awarding a $2.2 million contract to Dare Mighty Things in Vienna, Va., to establish a national resource center and clearinghouse for information related to technical assistance and training resources for faith- and community-based organizations. This resource center will ensure that the grantees funded under the Compassion Capital Fund are adequately equipped with the information and training they need to assist grassroots organizations.

HHS is awarding a $1.35 million contract to Branch Associates of Philadelphia, Pa. to evaluate innovative practices and promising approaches that faith- and community-based organizations are using so that other organizations can benefit from their unique approaches.

President Bush first announced the faith- and community-based initiative in January 2001. Through this initiative, the administration is working to remove unnecessary barriers that may prevent these organizations from competing fully for federal funding and to create a "level playing field" between faith-based and community organizations and other groups that receive federal funds to provide social services.

President Bush has requested $100 million in the fiscal year 2003 HHS budget to improve and expand funding to faith and community based organizations.

More information about the President's initiative and the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is available at http://www.hhs.gov/fbci.

A list of grantees follows.

DEMONSTRATION GRANTS United Way of Massachusetts Bay MA $ 2,000,000
JVA Consulting, Inc. CO $ 1,008,547
Christian Community Health Fellowship IL $ 1,128,330
The National Center for Faith Based Initiative FL $ 700,000
Montana Office of Rural Health MT $ 614,555
Associated Black Charities, Inc. MD $ 1,500,000
Clemson University SC $ 1,033,341
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center DC $ 682,240
Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNET) MA $ 1,499,770
Emory University GA $ 1,499,999
Operation Blessing International VA $ 500,000
Mennonite Economic Development Associates PA $ 1,000,000
Nueva Esperanza, Inc. PA $ 2,466,406
University of Nebraska NE $ 1,160,742
CJH Educational Grant Services, Inc. NC $ 1,506,987
Institute for Youth Development VA $ 2,500,000
Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico NM $ 1,000,000
Northside Ministerial Alliance MI $ 1,000,000
Volunteers of America, Inc. VA $ 699,159
University of Hawaii HI $ 600,000
S.V.D.P. Management, Inc. CA $ 673,041
TOTAL $ 24,773,117

RESEARCH GRANTS Caliber Associates VA $ 236,633
Florida International University FL $ 210,622
University of Pennsylvania PA $ 193,456
University of Maryland, College Park MD $ 218,098
TOTAL $ 858,809