Report Shows Compassion Capital Fund Program Assists
Families and Communities in Need

A new report on a program providing services to certain at-risk groups, those interested in marriage education or individuals living in rural communities through faith-based and community grants found that nearly two-thirds of those faith-based and secular organizations receiving awards reported their ability to provide greater services.

The report, An Assessment of the Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program: Findings from a Retrospective Survey of Grantees, was issued this week by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“Through the Faith-Based and Community Initiative, the Bush Administration has responded to human need in communities across the nation.” said Daniel C. Schneider, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. “This report shows that, with modest support, grassroots organizations can substantially improve and expand their services to families and communities in need.”

The Targeted Capacity Building program awards grants of up to $50,000 each to increase the organizational capacity of grassroots organizations that address the needs of distressed communities. The program is a key component of the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF), which helps faith-based and community organizations increase their effectiveness and enhance their ability to provide social services by building their organizational capacity.

“The study demonstrates that investing in the infrastructure of organizations that are embedded in the fabric of their communities helps those citizens most in need,” said Josephine Robinson, director of ACF’s Office of Community Services.  “The study also shows that one-time mini-grants can leverage strong results at the neighborhood level.”

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