White House Plans Summit on Grants for Faith-Based Organizations

Yesterday, a White House press briefing by Jim Towey, Director of the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, announced the President had met with 20 African-American leaders of the faith community. During that meeting, the President announced plans for a White House summit in March to discuss private-sector policies that often prevent faith-based organizations from qualifying for corporate and foundation grants. Many granting organizations currently rule out grants to all faith-based organizations, or require grantees to have 501(c)(3) status, which many churches do not have.