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USDA Rural Development, to assure implementation of the Faith-Based and
Community Initiative, assigned Faith-Based and Community Initiative
Coordinators for each jurisdiction and at the National Office level. The
primary duty of the State FBCI Coordinator is to coordinate and transmit
reports, information and data between the jurisdiction and the National
Office and the White House. VT/NH RD's FBCI Coordinator also provides
assistance in coordinating outreach activities and workshops targeting
Faith-based organizations.

**WHO IS THE VT/NH USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY
INITIATIVE**

**COORDINATOR?** Deborah Maguire, Community Programs Loan Specialist,
<Deborah.maguire@vt.usda.gov>

or (802)828-6024.

**The Final Rule** revising USDA regulations to remove barriers to the
participation of faith-based or religious organizations in USDA programs
was published 7/9/04
([www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/fbci/usdafbci070904.pdf](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/fbci/usdafbci070904.pdf)).
It outlines opportunities for faith-based organizations to apply for and
compete on an equal footing with other eligible organizations to receive
financial assistance from USDA.

**WHAT IS A FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION?** USDA\'s specific criteria for
determining whether an organization is a faith-based organization is
whether that organization self-identifies on the *[USDA Survey on
Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants.]{.underline}* However,
responses on this form are voluntary.

+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **Business Programs** David     | **Community Programs** Rhonda      |
| Robinson                        | Shippee                            |
|                                 |                                    |
| 802-828-6030                    | 802-828-6030                       |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **Housing Programs**            | **FBCI Coordinator**               |
|                                 |                                    |
| Robert McDonald                 | Deborah Maguire                    |
|                                 |                                    |
| 802-828-6068                    | 802-828-6024                       |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | **FBCI Alt. Coordinator**          |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | Anita Rios Moore                   |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | 802-828-6006                       |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+

**Where can I find out more about the President's FBCI?** USDA Rural
Development related documentation and supporting information about the
FBCI can be found at
[www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/fbci](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/fbci%0D) or
by contacting the FBCI Coordinator.

An additional web link of interest on such matters as other federal
agencies' FBCI activities and the Do's and Don'ts for faith-based
organizations is the White House Office FBCI site:
[www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/partnering.html](http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/partnering.html)
.

**HOW DOES THIS INITIATIVE AFFECT THE WAY USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT DOES
BUSINESS?**

It is business as usual. The only change is the inclusion of the *[USDA
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants]{.underline}* form
in grant, direct loan, and guaranteed loan application packages for
completion by non-profit applicants. Upon receipt of this form it is
forwarded to the FBCI Coordinator. Data gathered from the form is
reported back to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives (OFBCI).

**WHAT USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE MOST LIKELY TO CONNECT TO
FBCI ORGANIZATIONS?**

USDA Rural Development provides a Program Tool-Kit at
[www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/fbci/fbci_toolkit.html](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/fbci/fbci_toolkit.html),
a one-stop site to obtain information for Rural Development programs
under the FBCI, including:

+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| -   Self-Help Housing           | -   Farm Labor Housing             |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| -   Multi-Family Housing        | -   Community Facilities           |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+

USDA Rural Development 2005-2010 Strategic Plan's Goal 2, includes the
President's Faith-based and community initiative within its strategies
for developing community infrastructure. National Office reporting to
the White House includes the above programs, plus Technical &
Supervisory Assistance Grants and Distance Learning & Telemedicine
Grants.

**Who do I contact about applying for usda rural development
financing?** See our website at:
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/vt/index.html>