The Compassion Capital Fund: Brief Facts and Current Developments

Publication Date: February 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Social conditions

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Abstract:

The Compassion Capital Fund (CCF), a Bush Administration initiative, was created in appropriations law (P.L. 107-116; enacted in January 2002) and has since been operated under the authority of successive annual appropriations acts and the general research/demonstration project authority contained in section 1110 of the Social Security Act. It is intended to help build service capacity and knowledge among faith- and community-based organizations and encourage replication of effective approaches to better meet needs of low-income persons and families. To date, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has spent over $112 million through the CCF: (1) $91 million in matching grants to "intermediary" organizations that aid and make subgrants to local providers in order to help them improve their services; (2) almost $8 million in capacity-building $50,000 "mini-awards" given directly to faith-based and community organizations; and (3) just under $14 million for research grants and other types of support.

S. 6, the Family and Community Protection Act of 2005 (introduced January 14, 2005), contains provisions that would provide underlying law supporting Compassion Capital Fund activities. The Administration's FY2006 budget requests $100 million for the CCF and indicates that some $50 million would be spent on activities supporting youth-oriented "anti-gang" programs.

This report will be updated for new data and budget figures, major program changes, and legislation.