INNOVATIONS IN COMPASSION - The Faith-Based and Community Initiative: A Final Report to the Armies of Compassion - December 2008

Oct 15, 2026

A White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives final report describing President Bush’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (FBCI) and its partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations to combat poverty, disease, and related social ills. The report highlights measurable outcomes for millions in need, explains federal reforms that create a level playing field for faith-based groups, and summarizes innovations such as vouchers, mini-grants, and intermediary model grants. It also addresses capacity building, volunteerism, private giving, state and city replication, and forward-looking foundations for future government and community leadership.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages56

Reading Time2 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Highlights of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative

I. Introduction

II. Changing Lives

III. Transforming Government

IV. Strengthening Partners

V. Volunteerism and Private Giving

VI. Taking Root in the States and Cities

VII. Looking Forward

INNOVATIONS IN COMPASSION The Faith-Based and Community Initiative: A Final Report to the Armies of Compassion THE WHITE HOUSE DECEMBER 2008 Innovations in Compassion The Faith-Based and Community Initiative: A Final Report to the Armies of Compassion THE WHITE HOUSE DECEMBER 2008 Community Healthcare Orphans Vulnerable Youth Substance Abuse HImImVigaAntIInDteration Hunger HoHanffeiksing Veterans’ Services EconomicPEmoelerviee Natural Disasters “A determined attack –Proesin net Geeor.W... B”ush Com mOpnhsy Healthcare Substance Abuse Vulnerable Youth HIVIm/mAigIraDnt ISntegration Vetrns’gServices Human Trafficking Homelessness PrisonEemloyRmenteSnericresy Economic Develpmentatural DMisasrs ia THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON I. Introduction ............................................................. 􀀗 II. Changing Lives ........................................................... 􀀘 III. Transforming Government .....................................􀀘􀀙 IV. Strengthening Partners ..........................................􀀚􀀛 V. Volunteerism and Private Giving ............................􀀚􀀙 VI. Taking Root in the States and Cities .....................􀀜􀀝 VII. Looking Forward .....................................................􀀜􀀘 Federal Centers for Faith Based and Community Initiatives i Table of Contents Executive Summary This Final Report to the Armies of Compassion prepared by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives offers an account of President Bush’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (FBCI or Initiative) to the dedicated faith-based and other community organizations (FBCOs) that have joined in the battles against poverty, disease, and other social ills. The report emphasizes what matters most about the FBCI: measurable results achieved for millions in need across America and around the world through vibrant partnerships with the “armies of compassion” – the thousands ofFBCOs that have partnered with government to serve their neighbors in need. It also offers a look at key government reforms and innovations that made these results possible. The report finishes with a glimpse toward the future of the FBCI and the foundation upon which the next generation of government and community leaders can build to achieve even greater good in the decades to come. Changing Lives highlights twelve areas of critical human need that have been particularly affected through expanded Federal partnerships with faith-based and other frontline nonprofits. The chapter highlights key results across these wide-ranging areas of need and stories revealing the deeper impact of the FBCI for individual organizations and the people they serve. Transforming Government explains how reforms led by the FBCI have secured a level playing field for faithbased organizations and reduced barriers to help small FBCOs or those new to partnering with government compete for Federal funds. The chapter also highlights some of the innovative funding models advanced by the FBCI that enable more effective partnerships between government and grassroots nonprofits, such as vouchers, mini-grants, and intermediary model grants. Strengthening Partners describes the Initiative’s diverse methods for building the capabilities of nonprofit organizations and the social entrepreneurs who lead them. These efforts range from technologybased instruction and in-person training events to the hundreds of millions of dollars invested in capacitybuilding and technical assistance grants. Volunteerism and Private Giving highlights President Bush’s efforts to expand volunteer service and private financial support for America’s FBCOs. Taking Root in States and Cities reveals how the principles of the FBCI are being replicated outside of Washington. Governors and mayors across America are embracing the vision championed by the FBCI as a practical way to engage the toughest challenges face

FAQs

What is the Faith-Based and Community Initiative (FBCI) as described in the report?

The report presents the FBCI as a federal effort partnering with faith-based and other community organizations to address poverty, disease, and other social ills through measurable results.

How does the report describe changes in how government works with faith-based organizations?

It explains that reforms created a level playing field by establishing constitutional funding guidelines and reducing barriers for small or new partner organizations.

What types of innovations and support models are highlighted for partnership effectiveness?

The report highlights funding innovations such as vouchers, mini-grants, and intermediary model grants, alongside technology-based resources, training, and capacity-building and technical assistance grant programs.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn Holloway