Establishment of White House Office of Faith- Based and Community Initiatives

This executive order creates a White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to coordinate federal policy expanding partnerships with religious and community organizations to deliver social services. It establishes the office within the Executive Office of the President with broad authority to develop policy, reduce regulatory barriers, and integrate faith-based initiatives across federal agencies. The office must begin operations within 30 days of signing.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 8499

Impact dates

Mar 1, 2001
White House OFBCI operations must begin

Key directives

Establish White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives within Executive Office of the President
Office operations shall begin no later than 30 days from signing
Assistant to the President for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to head office
Each executive department and agency must designate liaison/point of contact
All agencies shall cooperate and provide information, support, and assistance as requested
Develop policies to expand faith-based and community organization roles in social service delivery
Eliminate unnecessary legislative, regulatory, and bureaucratic barriers impeding faith-based efforts
Ensure programs meet standards of excellence and accountability

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

White House OFBCI establishment mandated
Assistant to the President position created
Agency cooperation requirements activated

Near term (90d)

Office operations must begin by March 1, 2001
Agency liaison designations expected
Initial policy agenda development

Long term

Ongoing coordination of faith-based initiatives across federal government
Potential regulatory and legislative barrier reduction
Integration of faith-based providers into federal social service delivery

Risks & tensions

Constitutional tension: 'fullest opportunity permitted by law' invites Establishment Clause litigation over government funding of religious organizations
Vague 'to the extent permitted by law' qualifiers throughout may limit actual implementation
'Level playing field' language masks unresolved tension between equal access and direct religious activity restrictions
No appropriations guaranteed—operations subject to availability of funding
Sec. 5 disclaimer strips enforceable rights, potentially weakening accountability mechanisms
Ambiguity in 'nondiscrimination' and 'neutrality' standards when religious organizations may have hiring exemptions