Faith-Based Partnerships (E.O. 13498)

Summary

Strengthens the government's partnership with faith-based and neighborhood groups to help them provide social services more effectively and with accountability.

What problem does this solve?

Faith-based groups are vital for helping communities, but government partnerships with them needed better structure and oversight. This order creates a new office and advisory council to improve coordination, ensure funds are used well, and protect constitutional rights.

What does this order do?

Creates President's Advisory Council

Establishes the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to advise the President on how to improve services delivered by these groups.

Renames White House office

Changes the name of the 'White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives' to the 'White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships'.

Adds new constitutional duties

Requires the office to make sure that all federally funded services are provided in a way that follows the Constitution's rules about religion and equal protection.

Focuses on performance and evaluation

Adds a requirement to use program evaluation and research to ensure organizations receiving federal money achieve measurable results and deliver services as promised.

Defines council membership

Specifies the Council will have up to 25 members appointed by the President who are experts in social services but are not government employees.

Sets a two-year term for the council

States that the newly created Advisory Council will end two years from the date of the order unless the President decides to extend it.

Who does this affect?

Faith-based and neighborhood organizations
Low-income and underserved communities
Federal agencies providing grants

What is the real world impact?

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Improves government support for community helpers

Creates a formal structure for the government to work with and support faith-based and local groups that provide essential services like feeding families and mentoring children.

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Ensures accountability for taxpayer money

Requires that any group receiving federal funds must be evaluated to make sure they are achieving measurable results and using the money for valid public purposes.

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Balances religious freedom and government funding

Aims to protect constitutional rules that separate church and state by making sure government-funded services are provided in a way that respects religious freedom without establishing a religion.

When does this start?

This order takes effect on February 5, 2009, and includes a specific deadline for one of its provisions.

Advisory Council Termination

The President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships is set to end on February 5, 2011, unless the President extends it.