"The paramount goal is compassionate results, and private and charitable
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.... The delivery of social services must be results-oriented
and should value the bedrock principles of pluralism, nondiscrimination,
evenhandedness, and neutrality."
USDA is dedicated to ensuring a level playing field that will allow the most effective organizations and programs -- whether faith-based or secular -- to partner with the federal government to provide the best services to those who are in need. In 2004, USDA issued a final general rule to ensure faith-based organizations will receive equal treatment when competing for federal funding opportunities within the framework of Constitutional church-state guidelines. This policy applies the standards of equal treatment to all federal, state, and local agencies, activities and programs, which are federally funded.
For more information on the guiding policies, please click on the following:
