USDA Final Rule Summary

A guiding principle of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative is that there should be a level playing field for all organizations- religious or secular- to compete for federal assistance.

On December 12, 2002, President Bush signed Executive Order 13279 directing Federal agencies to ensure that faith-based organizations are given equal treatment in competing for Federal government assistance. The rule also guarantees that those organizations do not need to forfeit their religious identity in order to partner with the Federal government.

On July 9^th, 2004, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the “Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations” final rule.  This ensures that faith-based and religious organizations can compete on an equal footing for USDA assistance.  The final rule sets non-discriminatory standards for the implementation of all USDA activities and programs by establishing the proper uses of USDA financial assistance consistent with Constitutional parameters, and by establishing conditions for receipt of financial assistance.

Defined within the framework of the Constitutional church-state guidelines, the final rule does not allow preferential treatment for religious organizations, but rather ensures equal treatment for faith-based organizations when competing for federal government funding opportunities.

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Questions or comments can be directed to the Programming Division at 202-720-4221
or via e-mail at PPDED@fas.usda.gov.

Last modified: Monday, April 14, 2008 06:13:54 PM