Can government funds be used to purchase religious materials?
No. USAID funds cannot be used to purchase sacred texts or other faith-infused reading materials, hymnals, sacramental elements or garments, or anything else that is used for worship, religious instruction or proselytizing. Questions about the appropriateness of materials used in the course of delivery services should be directed to the Regional Legal Advisor or the Office of General Counsel at USAID headquarters. Back to Top ^ Question 23: Can government funds be used to pay the salary of a member of an FBO’s staff? Answer: Yes, but only to support the portion of the staff’s time that is dedicated to delivering services under the grant or contract. Those staff members can engage in religious activity that is privately funded if it is conducted at a different time, but cannot be paid for time spent planning, conducting or participating in inherently religious activities (or any other non-USAID program activities.) For example, staff that might also function as a rabbi, priest, imam or
