The Charitable Choice Handbook for Ministry Leaders
by Amy L. Sherman
Center for Public Justice, May 2001
The Charitable Choice Handbook for Ministry Leaders aims to provide basic information on Charitable Choice--what it is (and isn't), how it works, what types of faith-based organizations might best benefit from it, and how to pursue the new opportunities it affords. The Handbook does not advocate that all faith-based organizations participate in new collaborations with government under Charitable Choice; rather, each organization must determine for itself, based on its mission, operating philosophy, and practice, whether working with government could be fruitful. For some, it will; for others, it may not. Discernment, honest self-assessment, and (since this booklet is for people of faith) prayer should precede any decisions about whether or not to seek government funding.
Scattered throughout the booklet are some anecdotes about other ministries' experiences with government funding. In the appendices, you'll find a resource listing of contacts who can supply further information about Charitable Choice.
Charitable Choice advances the possibilities for faith-based providers of social services to compete on a level playing field with secular organizations in obtaining government funds to underwrite their community outreach. It also addresses many of the barriers previously in place that hampered the effective and faithful work of religious organizations when they accepted public funding. Nonetheless, like many laws, Charitable Choice is not perfect. The advice provided in the Handbook relates to the specific contours of faith-government collaboration as specified by the Charitable Choice guidelines. In other words, it attempts to define what is permissible under the law as currently designed.
The increased attention by policy makers and the media to the contributions being made in America by faith-based groups is welcome and encouraging. As the spotlight is turned upon us, the nation can see the faith community's commitment to excellent service with integrity. To aid us in keeping our work above reproach, this booklet concludes with a copy of a Code of Conduct for faith-based organizations that choose to accept government funding regulated by Charitable Choice. This Code was drafted by several individuals from a variety of ministries and nonprofit organizations to help to ensure that faith communities have some clear guidelines to follow as they seek faithfully to serve their neighbors in efforts underwritten in part by government funds. The Code outlines a series of commitments faith-based organizations accepting public money can subscribe to in order to keep their conduct above reproach in the eyes of God, their government contacts, and the people they serve. This Code suggests principles and practices that we accept willingly as recipients of funds regulated by Charitable Choice; practices intended to assist us in remaining faithful both to those regulations and to our unique identity as faith-based ministries.
Praise for the Handbook
"Amy Sherman gives wise advice for ministries that are considering the new opportunities and challenges of Charitable Choice. Use her Handbook to help restore hurting communities to health and wholeness."
DR. JOHN PERKINS, Founder, Christian Community Development Association
"The Charitable Choice Handbook for Ministry Leaders is an excellent tool. It helps to clarify and balance the tensions that sometimes exist between the pastoral service and prophetic dimensions of our ministry."
REV. RAY RIVERA, President, Latino Pastoral Action Center
"Clear, compact, and current; an essential,much-needed guide for any religious social agency exploring cooperation with government."
RON SIDER, President, Evangelicals for Social Action
"Faith-based ministries will appreciate how this guide helps them count the cost and assess the benefit of collaborating with government to fund their programs."
WHEELER WINSTEAD, Director, Faith-Based Community Economic Development Program, National Congress of Community Economic Development
"An excellent resource for community ministries to learn about Charitable Choice--which government programs are covered and the guidelines that apply; what to consider before applying (the benefits and barriers); how to connect to the funding sources; and examples of faith-based organizations and programs that have received funding."
LARRY NORTON, President and CEO of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston Vice President of Interfaith Community Ministry Network (The National Association of Community Ministries)
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(PDF, 43 pages)
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Permission is granted to download and photocopy or reprint the Handbook on the condition that full credit is given to the author and publisher as indicated, and that any photocopy or reprint is of the publication in its entirety.
(Major funding for this project was provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation Baltimore, MD.)
