Research by Author & Topic

Publications by Carol J. De Vita on Faith-Based Organizations

Little attention has been paid to whether funding from federal faith-based initiatives is reaching its intended partners, such as congregations in low-income neighborhoods that on a daily basis assist some of the nation's most vulnerable and needy people. Using a sample of congregations in three low-income wards of the District of Columbia, this brief explores how congregations are responding to the initiatives and their experiences in working with government.

Proposals to encourage greater cooperation between government and faith-based organizations have drawn considerable discussion within the social service, religious, and policymaking communities. Questions about the legal implications of such partnerships, the capacity and effectiveness of religious groups to deliver services, and the effect of these partnerships on religious life in America are at the heart of the debate. This policy brief reports on a one-day seminar held in May 2001 and sponsored by the Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy and the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University, in which religious leaders, government officials, social service providers, and academic researchers examined the political and social questions sparked by the White House Initiatives. It examines various points of contention and suggests future steps that can shed light on this important public policy discussion.

We know we have got a lot of churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, but just how much faith-based community outreach is there? Many religious groups provide soup kitchens and emergency provisions, shelter and clothing. Others, however, see a need to evolve to fit the growing needs of the Metro area communities, to get involved in community development, and create new infrastructure to support that development.

Although welfare reform has placed a renewed spotlight on addressing social issues through local institutions, the mechanisms for achieving new public-private partnerships, particularly with faith-based organizations, are still being developed. This report presents the findings of a study conducted by the Urban Institute on the community-based services provided by faith-based organizations in New Jersey. It outlines the types of services offered by religious congregations and provides an analysis of the geographic location of services relative to community need.

the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy contracted with the Greater Washington Research Center to include four questions in its April 1997 consumer survey of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that pertain to how individuals interact with religious congregations. Specifically, survey respondents were asked if they attend religious services, donate money, volunteer their time, or use social services offered by congregations. The survey also contained information on respondents' race, annual household income, and place of residence.