Bush Urges Foundations, Corporations to Boost Faith-Based Funding
President Bush called on large corporations and foundations Thursday to join the government’s efforts in stepping-up funding for faith-based and religious groups serving the community.
WASHINGTON – President Bush called on large corporations and foundations Thursday to join the government’s efforts in stepping-up funding for faith-based and religious groups serving the community.
“I believe all of us – no matter if we're private or pubic – ought to allow religious organizations to compete for funding on an equal basis, not for the sake of faith, but for the sake of results,” Bush said to an audience of 1,500 at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
The president’s comments were made at the second White House National Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, during which results from the annual study of competitive grants were released.
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The study, conducted by the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, found that federal grants to religious charities totaled $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2005, marking an increase of seven percent over the previous year.
However, the study found that secular non-profits received nearly six times more federal grants than faith-based groups, and that only six percent of grants from foundations run by large corporations went to religiously affiliated charities. Separately, Bush explained that one in five foundations included in the study prohibited the funding of faith-based programs.
“I would hope they would revisit their charters," Bush said. "I would hope they would take a look at achieving social objectives ... before they would make the decision to exclude some who are achieving incredible progress and on behalf of our country."
At that light, the conference also touched on ways corporations and foundations can benefit from working with faith-based groups. In a series of workshops throughout the day, representatives from large corporations, such as CVS pharmacies and General Mills, shared examples of their positive experiences with religious groups, and encouraged faith-based groups to compete for foundation grants with a business mindset.
“Nothing worries a company more than a group that asks for money,” said Steve Wing, Director of Government Relations for the CVS Corporation, who explained that the bottom line for businesses is about making money.
“Think about how you can help businesses make money,” he said.
Ellen Luger, Executive Director of the General Mills Foundation, agreed that faith-based groups have a better chance of receiving funds when they show that they can bring benefit to the company.
“Bring a new approach to long-term problems,” said Luger. “We consider how it fits with our strategic funding initiatives.”
President Bush touched on this aspect of added-value in his speech, saying the difference between government and faith-based groups can be summed in one word: love.
“Government can pass law and it can hand out money, but it cannot love,” said Bush. “… I assure you that as long as I'm the President, I will always recognize where the strength of this country lies, the true strength – and that's in the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens.”
