Labor to have faith again

Faith organizations now have an explicit welcome in every discretionary Department of Labor grant opportunity announcement, making clear they are not only eligible, but encouraged, to apply for funding. 

In February, President Trump issued an executive order that established a White House Faith Office to “coordinate with agencies on identifying and promoting grant opportunities for non-profit faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship, especially those inexperienced with public funding but that operate effective programs.” The executive order also directed federal agencies to appoint faith directors to conduct this work.  

Thanks to the leadership of Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling, the Department of Labor prioritized setting up a Center for Faith, staffing it with three appointees in the Trump Administration – a notable commitment and investment.

Our Center for Faith has been hard at work developing resources and supports for faith organizations and the workforce, starting with the new funding opportunity announcement language. The following statement will be included in the preamble of all discretionary grants at the Labor Department – to the extent consistent with a program’s authorizing statute, regulations and intent – moving forward:

“Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, as are all organizations. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization’s religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.”

This is just the beginning of a series of actions and resources we will be unveiling to make the Department of Labor faith-friendly again. Prayer and work -- “ora et labora” -- do not need to be mutually exclusive in our society when many faith organizations stand ready to help more Americans with the skills and support necessary to get and keep great jobs.

Kenneth J. Wolfe is the director of the Department of Labor’s Center for Faith.