Fruitful Collaborations: A Survey of Government-Funded Faith-Based Programs in 15 States (Executive Summary)

(Amy L. Sherman, Hudson Institute Faith in Communities Initiative and John C. Green, Bliss Institute of the University of Akron, 2002)

Summary:

          This report highlights key findings from a survey of nearly 400 faith-based contractors providing social services funded (at least in part) by government dollars. It sought to assess how the FBOs assessed their relationship with their government partner. The fifteen states included in the study were: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

          The report showed that slightly over half of the contractors were new to formal financial relationships with government.  Survey respondents indicated that they had had a positive relationship with government, with very few reporting problems such as overly intrusive monitoring. It also discovered that contracting FBOs had developed a variety of strategies to simultaneously protect their religious character and comply with contractual regulations. These strategies included segregating public funds and holding inherently religious activities at special times or locations.  The survey also found that some communication problems still exist between government and FBOs and that a few FBOs were displeased with government intervention.  

Why does FASTEN recommend this resource?

            This is the only known in-depth survey of FBO contractors on this subject. It reveals the kinds of issues FBO contractors deal with when accepting government dollars, as well as the steps they take to navigate the relationship with their government partner.