News Release

HHS Announces $31,900,000 from Compassion Capital Fund
Funds Will Help Faith-Based and Community Groups Build Capacity, Serve Those in Need

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced today that $31,900,000 is available from the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF). Secretary Leavitt made the announcement at the Oak Corners at the Center for Community Cooperation in Dallas. The funds are designed to help faith-based and community groups build capacity and serve those in need.

"The Compassion Capital Fund strengthens what President Bush calls the 'armies of compassion' with the necessary resources to help those most in need," Secretary Leavitt said. "These funds will help faith-based and community groups build the capacity to serve the poor, the hungry, the homeless, at-risk youth, rural communities and to strengthen marriage across the nation."

Today's announcement consists of two sets of funds. The first set of $16.9 million, from CCF Demonstration Program, is available to up to 17 intermediary organizations to provide technical assistance and sub awards. These intermediary organizations serve as a bridge between the federal government and faith-based and community organizations.

The second set of $15 million, from CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program, is available to 300 faith-based and community organizations for capacity building, to address the needs of at-risk youth, and the homeless, to provide voluntary marriage education and preparation services, and to offer social services to those living in rural communities.

"This funding will strengthen children and families from the grassroots up," said Dr. Wade F. Horn, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "With this initiative, President Bush is forming strong partnerships between the federal government and community and faith-based organizations to deliver effective and compassionate services to those in need."

The CCF was created by President Bush in 2002 as a special initiative to help faith-based and community organizations improve their effectiveness, enhance their ability to provide social services and emulate model social service programs.

For more information on these funding opportunities, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/. For more information about CCF, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf/.