Explores prevalent assumptions about what religious organizations are and do, how they fit into the independent or nonprofit sector, and what is reasonable to expect of or for them. Reviews basic facts about the nature, scope, operations, and support of religious organizations, examining their levels of independence. Focuses on the basic…

Surveyed urban welfare-to-work programs to investigate the dilemma of faith-based and other nonprofit organizations having to choose between government funding and independence. Federal funding, though key to increasing an organization's impact and size significantly, also limits its independence. Proposes three steps toward resolution (e.g.,…

Clarifies the constitutional issue raised by government efforts to cooperate with faith-based organizations, noting that while programs can be constitutional without necessarily being good public policy, too frequently political and constitutional controversies mix these two considerations, thus confusing those trying to understand and resolve…