Appendix A to Part 16 - Notice or Announcement of Award Opportunities
7:1.1.1.1.25.0.39.6.7 : Appendix A
Appendix A to Part 16 - Notice or Announcement of Award
Opportunities
(a) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the
same basis as any other organization, as set forth at and, subject
to the protections and requirements of this part and 42 U.S.C.
2000bb et seq., USDA will not, in the selection of
recipients, discriminate against an organization on the basis of
the organization's religious character, affiliation, or
exercise.
(b) A faith-based organization that participates in this program
will retain its independence from the Government and may continue
to carry out its mission consistent with religious freedom and
conscience protections in the U.S. Constitution and Federal law,
including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., 42 U.S.C. 238n, 42
U.S.C. 18113, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-1(a) and 2000e-2(e), 42 U.S.C.
12113(d), and the Weldon Amendment, among others. Religious
accommodations may also be sought under many of these religious
freedom and conscience protection laws.
(c) A faith-based organization may not use direct financial
assistance from USDA to support or engage in any explicitly
religious activities except where consistent with the Establishment
Clause and any other applicable requirements. Such an organization
also may not, in providing services funded by USDA, discriminate
against a program beneficiary or prospective program beneficiary on
the basis of religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a
religious belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a
religious practice.
[85 FR 82134, Dec. 17, 2020]