ABSTRACT
Politicians, religious leaders, and media talking heads have all weighed in on President George W. Bush’s ambitious “faith-based initiative.” This public discussion is useful, for the faith community has long been a major contributor in the national effort to fight poverty and rejuvenate distressed communities, but its role has frequently been neglected. The charitable choice is aimed at facilitating fruitful collaboration between government and the faith community that protects the religious integrity and character of Faith-based organizations (FBOs) accepting government dollars. Apart from the political battles on Capital Hill, the faith-based initiative is advancing throughout the country. The findings from the fifteen-state charitable choice tracking study reveal that most states examined truly are doing social welfare business in a new way. In dialogue with local FBO leaders, these officials are leading the way in discovering—through creative experimentation that focuses on the practical result of serving low-income families better—how to partner constructively with faith-based charities.
