Consistent with President George W. Bush's Executive Order 13279 and 28 C.F.R. Part 38, it is OVW policy that faith-based and community organizations that statutorily qualify as eligible applicants under OVW grant programs are invited and encouraged to apply for assistance. Faith-based and community organizations will be considered for awards on the same basis as other eligible applicants and, should they receive assistance awards, will be treated on an equal basis with all other grantees in the administration of such awards. No eligible applicant or grantee will be discriminated against on the basis of its religious character or affiliation, religious name, or the religious composition of its board of directors or persons working in the organization. Faith-based organizations receiving OVW grant awards retain their independence and do not have to modify their religious identity (e.g., removing religious symbols) to receive financial assistance. OVW grant funds, however, may not be used to fund any inherently religious activity such as prayer or worship. Inherently religious activity is permissible, but cannot occur during an activity funded with OVW grant funds; rather, such religious activity must be separate in time or place from the OVW funded program. Further, participation in such activity by individuals receiving services must be voluntary. Programs funded by OVW are not permitted to discriminate in the provision of services on the basis of a beneficiary's religion.

Executive Order 13279: Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations

Memo from Associate Attorney General Robert McCallum Concerning the Equal Treatment of Faith-Based Organizations and How to Establish 501(c)(3) Status

Civil Rights Compliance
All recipients of federal grant funds are required to comply with nondiscrimination requirements contained in various federal laws. In the event that a court or administrative agency makes a finding of discrimination on grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or age against a recipient of funds after a due process hearing, the recipient must agree to forward a copy of the finding to the Office of Justice Programs, Office for Civil Rights. All applicants should consult the assurances required with the application funds to understand the applicable legal and administrative requirements.

Services to Limited-English-Proficient (LEP) Persons
National origin discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of limited English proficiency (LEP). To ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, recipients are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that LEP persons have meaningful access to their programs. Meaningful access may entail providing language assistance services, including interpretation and translation services where necessary. Grantees are encouraged to consider the need for language services for LEP persons served or encountered both in developing their proposals and budgets and in conducting their programs and activities. Reasonable costs associated with providing meaningful access for LEP individuals are considered allowable program costs. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued guidance for grantees to assist them in complying with Title VI requirements. The guidance document can be accessed on the internet at www.lep.gov or by contacting the Office of Justice Program's Office for Civil Rights:

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Office for Civil Rights
810 7th Street, N.W., 8th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20531