Public debate on the appropriate role of faith-based organizations in the American political system has been extensive, and often quite heated, but accurate assessments of their impacts on key political issues has been difficult, due to a lack of reliable data on what FBOs do and how they do it. Reinventing Civil Society fills that need. It reviews and assesses what is known about the public service activities of FBOs, and poses and tests opposing models of faith-based service provision in the public sphere. The book focuses on the degree to which there is collaboration among and between faith-based and community organizations, other non-profits, and/or the government in providing services. It considers the possibility that FBOs can become integrated into governing regimes in the civil society, and finds that service provision serves as an entree to the political system for all types of non-profits, including FBOs, and that collaborative networks are critically important in both the provision of services and in their political roles. Reinventing Civil Society is generously illustrated with maps, tables, diagrams, and a chronology of key legislative events. A detailed Appendix of research methodological notes provides a useful road map for students, scholars, and policymakers.

This current era of high stakes testing, accountability, and shrinking educational budgets demands that schools seek bold and innovative ways to build strong learning environments for all students. Community involvement is a powerful tool in generating resources that are essential for educational excellence. Building School-Community Partnerships: Collaboration for Student Success emphasizes the importance of community involvement for effective school functioning, student support and well-being, and community health and development. This sharp, insightful book serves as an excellent resource for educators seeking to establish school-community partnerships to achieve goals for their schools and the students, families, and communities they serve. Schools can collaborate with a wide variety of community partners to obtain the resources they need to achieve important goals for students’ learning. Some of these partners may include: - Businesses and corporations - Universities and other institutions of higher learning - National and local volunteer organizations - Social service agencies and health partners - Faith-based organizations and institutions Work successfully with community partners to improve school programs and curricula, strengthen families, and expand your students’ learning experiences!

This study reviewed literature on concept, strategies and tactics involved in building alliances across group and organizational differences and reviewed current research on networking and collaborations, religious involvement in community activities, and faith-based organizations.

Start and Grow Your Faith-Based Nonprofit offers clear guidance on how to fund and manage a faith-based social ministry. If you have been called by God to fulfill a mission through a nonprofit organization, this is the book for you. Written specifically for grassroots faith-based groups, this important book is a tool for the thousands of individuals and churches that heal emotional, physical, and spiritual wounds through faith-based social service programming. In this much-needed resource, Jill C. Esau, founder of We Care Northwest--a nonprofit designed to build capacity in and advocate on behalf of faith-based organizations, provides professional step-by-step guidance. Start and Grow Your Faith-Based Nonprofit addresses vital issues such as church sponsorship, volunteer management, the grant making process, observing government regulations and certification, fiscal responsibilities, partnering with complementary programs, and much more.