What is a 'faith-based' organization?

The White House, USAID, and the government's General Accountability Office have had varying definitions of a ``faith-based" organization. Drawing on those definitions, the Globe based its assessment on the groups' own statements -- whether they ``referenced God, Allah, another deity, prayer, faith or other overtly religious terms," as the GAO stated. The Globe also included groups whose leaders are affiliated with religious organizations and groups founded by missionaries or religious leaders, so long as the founders are still active in the group.

Research was directed by Globe correspondent Kevin Baron, assisted by Rushmie Kalke and Laura Peterson.