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Taking Root in States and Cities |
Faith-based and community initiatives (FBCI) have taken root in all 50 states as well as countless communities across the nation as a pragmatic way to address society’s most difficult human needs. State strategies include efforts to build networks of government and nonprofit organizations to improve the welfare of citizens, expand the capabilities of faith-based and community organizations, and address specific challenges like homelessness, gangs, addiction, and other issues.
Thirty-five governors have faith-based and community initiative offices or liaisons—19 Democrats and 16 Republicans. These state initiatives have remained in place even in the twelve states that have experienced a change in governor, including seven states that had a transition in party leadership.
Even in states that currently lack formal initiatives, the President’s FBCI vision is at work through Federally funded efforts led by nonprofits—often in close partnership with state or local government agencies.
State Offices and Capacity Building
State offices of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives serve to strengthen their state’s nonprofit network, leverage volunteers, reduce barriers to government partnership, and build the capacity of grassroots faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs). Several state offices have won Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Grants to build the capacity of their states’ FBCOs.
While the Federal funding for the capacity-building projects in Ohio and Texas has ended, both states have been able to continue their efforts with state block grant funding. Ohio has focused their continued efforts on building the capabilities of FBCOs that provide services to low-income families receiving help from Ohio’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Texas has continued their efforts by securing state administered Wagner-Peyser and TANF funding to support efforts that strengthen the capacity of FBCOs across the state. Both Compassion Alaska and Compassion Florida boost the capabilities of small FBCOs serving their states’ most vulnerable citizens.
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Engaging Human Need
State offices advance a diverse array of specific policy priorities that respond to many of their states' most pressing social problems.
Disaster
A number of states have made disaster preparation, response, and recovery a focus of their work. Alabama has implemented the comprehensive Be Ready Alabama campaign to help their citizens prepare for natural or man-made disasters. Florida (PDF-2.32 MB) has engaged thousands of faith-based and community-based volunteers from hundreds of organizations in their state’s long-term recovery efforts.
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Prisoner Reentry
Assisting ex-offenders and their families has been one of the primary areas of activity in Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, and, more recently, in Alabama and Minnesota.
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Supporting Military Service Members
Minnesota (PDF–1.7 MB) has developed a comprehensive effort to help FBCOs that serve families separated due to military service called Minnesota Families United. Arizona’s statewide office is also focused on strengthening the network of FBCOs that assist veterans and their families.
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Homelessness
Hawaii and Utah have placed priority on working closely with FBCOs to reduce homelessness.
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Hunger
States, including New Mexico, (PDF-13.3 KB) have led an effective public/private partnership to reduce hunger.
At-Risk Youth.
Virginia , Oklahoma, and Ohio have made at-risk youth a focus of their work.
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Innovation Takes Many Forms
The design of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives takes many forms in the states, America’s “laboratories of democracy.” Each state is able to align its organizational structure and policy strategies with the unique needs and interests of its people.
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