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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 19, 2007		 Contact: Kenneth J. Wolfe
(202) 401-9215

HHS Awards $57.8 Million through Compassion Capital Fund

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced awards totaling $57,840,781 through the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF). These awards will help 387 faith-based and community organizations enhance their ability to provide social services to those most in need.

“Our goal is to serve the poor among us in the most effective way possible,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. “By supporting grass-roots organizations already serving those in need in their communities, we are increasing our ability to help more people gain control of their lives.”

The awards are made up of four sets of grants. The first set awards a total of $17.6 million to 37 organizations through the CCF Demonstration Program. Demonstration program grantees serve as intermediaries providing assistance to and building the capacity of smaller faith-based and community organizations in their community.

The second set awards a total of $10.3 million to 219 faith-based and community organizations through the CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program. These awards will increase the capacity of these organizations to support at-risk youth and the homeless, strengthen marriage and serve rural communities.

The third set of grants awards a total of $7.5 million to 31 organizations participating in the Communities Empowering Youth program. Under this program, organizations committed to combating gang activity, youth violence and child abuse and neglect will receive funds to strengthen their own capacity.  They will also build the capacity of their faith-based and community partners to operate more effectively in strengthening community coalitions committed to providing positive alternatives for at-risk youth across the country. 

The final set of grants disperses $22.5 million to continue CCF programs in their second year of funding. 

“The Compassion Capital Fund is the signature initiative of President Bush's community renewal agenda,” said Jay Hein, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. “It equips the quiet heroes serving those in need in America’s communities.”

“This announcement demonstrates the Bush Administration’s commitment to help faith-based and community organizations increase their effectiveness, expand their organizations, and create collaborations to better serve at the local level,” said Josephine B. Robinson, director of the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services at HHS. “Organizational capacity-building is a powerful tool that can ensure these organizations are equipped to effectively and efficiently serve their target population while also supporting their long-term sustainability within the community.”

Since its inception in 2002, CCF has provided approximately $264 million to more than 4,500 organizations.

For a list of this year’s grantee organizations and award amounts, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf/2007ccf.html.

For more information on the Compassion Capital Fund, go to: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccf/.


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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Updated: October 22, 2007