What is Faith-Based Initiative?
Established by Executive Presidential Order in 2001, the policy establishing faith-based Initiative reads: Faith-based and other community organizations are indispensable in meeting the needs of poor Americans and distressed neighborhoods. Government cannot be replaced by such organizations, but it can and should welcome them as partners. The paramount goal is compassionate results, and private and charitable community groups, including religious ones, should have the fullest opportunity permitted by law to compete on a level playing field, so long as they achieve valid public purposes, such as curbing crime, conquering addiction, strengthening families and neighborhoods, and overcoming poverty. This delivery of social services must be results oriented and should value the bedrock principles of pluralism, nondiscrimination, evenhandedness, and neutrality. GEORGE W. BUSH THE WHITE HOUSE, January 29, 2001. The challenges we face today — from saving our planet to ending poverty — are simp
