On February 5, 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. This Office and multiple designated Federal agencies, including the SBA, will work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, no matter their religious or political beliefs.

The Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will focus on several key priorities, to be carried out by working closely with the President’s Cabinet Secretaries and each of the eleven agency offices for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships. SBA will support these priorities and focus on making community groups an integral part of economic recovery.

As the priorities of this Office are carried out, it will be done in a way that upholds the Constitution – by ensuring that both existing programs and new proposals are consistent with American laws and values. The separation of church and state is a principle President Obama supports firmly – not only because it protects our democracy, but also because it protects the plurality of America’s religious and civic life.

The executive order includes a new President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, composed of religious and secular leaders and scholars from different backgrounds. There are 25 members of the Council, each appointed to a 1-year term.

In support of this important initiative, SBA will assist faith-based and neighborhood groups and individuals learn about SBA programs which will enable them to better serve their communities. Additionally, SBA will ensure that faith-based and neighborhood organizations have equal access to SBA initiatives consistent with the law.