SBA: Launches New Faith-Based And Community Initiatives Center

Release Date: February 16, 2005
Contact: Dennis Byrne (202) 205-6567
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

WASHIGNTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration has created a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to help non-profit, grassroots organizations learn about and access SBA-backed programs and loans.

As part of the initiative, all current technical assistance grant recipients – including SCORE, Women’s Business Centers, and Small Business Development Centers – have extended their programs to faith-based and other non-profit organizations that focus a significant portion of their activities on aiding small businesses.

The Center is part of the SBA’s implementation of the President’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative, which supports the compassionate efforts of faith-based and secular grassroots organizations to improve their communities. The initiative is designed to open government programs to these organizations by ensuring that grassroots leaders can compete on equal footing for federal dollars, receive greater private support and face fewer bureaucratic barriers.

“By working more closely with faith-based and other organizations, we can advance the President’s goal of bringing jobs and hope to economically distressed communities all across our nation,” said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto.

SBA field representatives are already developing workshops, training seminars and open houses to reach out and educate faith-based and community organizations about SBA programs and to ensure that these groups have equal access to the services.

For more information on the SBA’s Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, go to the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/fbci, or contact the SBA district office in your area.