DALLAS - African American churches across the country have been asked to participate in the National Black United Fund's "Faith United Action Initiative" to encourage Black philanthropy and to provide a national network to help facilitate emergency preparedness.
The NBUF move to collaborate with African American churches came in direct response to the needs made evident in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2005 hurricane season.  The Black United Fund often served as fiduciary agent for churches and groups that had no formal philanthropic arm.  The organization also served as an information clearinghouse and referral center for small charities and individuals that wanted to direct their contributions to African American communities.
"We have always known that the Black church is at the epicenter of the Black social and civic order," said Bill Merritt, NBUF's executive director.  "Until now, we had not taken the obvious step of formally asking the churches to allow us to partner with them.  We need never again be caught flat-footed - trying to build networks and alliances in the middle of a disaster.  Going forward, we'll be much better prepared."
     The Faith United Action Initiative provides a multi denominational unifying support network for Black faith-based efforts and reminds donors that their gifts -- through payroll deductions that most employers encourage during annual campaigns -- can be targeted specifically to charities that support programs to benefit the Black community.
Bishop Horace Smith, presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World described the Initiative as "one of the ways we can meet our global obligation."
"As Christians, we are charged with caring for our brothers and sisters and that charge goes far beyond the walls of a particular church building and it goes beyond the doctrinal confines of our denomination."
     No single church or denomination can reach all of those who need help, Merritt said.  The mission of the National Black United Fund Faith United Action Initiative is to fill in the gaps through program development, community education and strategic communication.
      To support the Initiative, NBUF has asked each of it partnering denominational organizations to declare one Sunday during the year -- any Sunday from the fourth Sunday in August through the fourth Sunday in September -- as "Faith United Action Sunday."  On that day, the benevolent offerings from churches of the denomination will be earmarked to benefit the National Black United Fund.
     Throughout the special giving period, NBUF will provide printed and electronic educational materials encouraging churchgoers to support their denominational and community nonprofits through workplace giving campaigns that often include an employer match that increases the impact of each gift.
The governing body of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America endorsed the initiative during its mid-winter board meeting in Dallas in February.  NMBCA president and GMWA board member, Rev. Dr. Melvin Wade of Los Angeles, suggested that, in addition to NBUF Sunday, the denomination's "home missions" budget include an annual gift to NBUF. 
The National Black United Fund is much more flexible in its criteria for distributing funds than many grantsmaking organizations, Merritt said.  "We are able to provide start-up funding and other types of assistance to grass-roots organizations in the African American community that might not receive other support.  We're geared to work with those special circumstances."