CTDOL Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

Center For Faith Based and Community Initiatives
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Last Updated: September 07, 2006

You are here: DOL Web Site DOL Programs and Initiatives Center For Faith Based and Community Initiatives Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I register as a non-profit organization?
If your organization does not have 501(c)3 determination (non-profit organization), you need to do the following:

Call the IRS Forms Distribution Center and request:
	Publication 557 (the first section deals with 501(c)3)
	Form 1023
	Attachment to Form 1023, #8718

You must have an SS4 (employer ID number) before you can apply for 501(c)3 status. The process may take up to 6 months. You may call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for assistance.

How do I apply for Faith-Based/Community-Based money?
There is no special Faith-Based/Community-Based fund for religious organizations. The Federal Faith-Based/Community-Based initiative isn't a program to aid religion, but rather an effort to remove barriers that kept many qualified organizations from being able to compete for government funds to provide services. The Federal Faith-Based/Community-Based initiative encourages faith-based groups to compete for contracts or grants in order to provide certain social services. These initiatives give no special favor to religious providers. When the money involved is covered by the Faith-Based/Community-Based Initiatives, then faith-based groups have the same right to compete for contracts and grants that any other provider has.

Why should taxpayers fund religious organizations?
When government officials under Faith-Based/Community-Based Initiatives contract with a faith-based provider for social services, officials are not "supporting religion," but rather making it possible for recipients to get help from an effective provider of services. The Federal Faith-Based/Community-Based Initiative specifies that government contracts and grants have to be used to provide the specific services government is seeking, and not be diverted to pay for worship or evangelism.

Where do I find the nearest One Stop / Job Center so that I may view the resources available?
If you return to the DOL Home Page and click on the heading at the top entitled, Divisions and Offices, a listing of all One Stop/Job Center sites is listed, as well as access to other information at these sites.