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Two years ago President George W. Bush signed Executive Orders (E.O.'s)
to create better protection for Faith-Based and Community Organizations.
USDA Rural Development, to assure implementation 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?** Anita Rios Moore, Special Projects
Coordinator, <anita.moore@vt.usda.gov> or (802)828-6006.

**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
(<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/fbci/usdafbci070904.pdf>). It outlines
opportunities for faith-based organizations to apply for and compete on
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** Rhonda    | **Community Programs** William     |
| Shippee                         | Konrad                             |
|                                 |                                    |
| 802-828-6031                    | 603-223-6053                       |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **Housing Programs**            | **FBCI Coordinator**               |
|                                 |                                    |
| Robert McDonald                 | Anita Rios Moore                   |
|                                 |                                    |
| 802-828-6068                    | 802-828-6006                       |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | **FBCI Alt. Coordinator**          |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | Marie Ferris                       |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | 802-828-6080                       |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+

**Where can I find out more about the President's FBCI?** All USDA
related documentation

and supporting information of the FBCI can be found at:
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/fbci/> or by contacting the FBCI
Coordinator.

**SOME DO'S AND DON'T'S FOR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS:** The White House
OFBCI's site
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/partnering.html>
provides organizations *[AND]{.underline}* federal employees with
answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding the FBCI.

**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
(<http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/Forms/EEOSurV_V02.pdf>) 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 surveys are 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?**

The Department issued brochure *[FBCI -- Helping America
THRIVE]{.underline}* (<http://www.usda.gov/fbci/materials_fbci.html> )
spotlights four USDA Rural Development programs:

+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| -   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>