Summary
An Oregon youth ministry is challenging state officials for stripping public funding, which they had been previously approved to receive, because of a policy change that discriminates against the ministry’s religious employee and volunteer hiring practices.
Case Timeline
- October 2023: Oregon officials rescinded their grant offers to 71Five because it asks employees and volunteers to sign a statement of faith. Even after the ministry informed them of its First Amendment rights, they refused to change their decision.
- March 2024: ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit challenging Oregon officials’ religious discrimination of 71Five.
- May 2024: ADF attorneys participated in oral argument before a federal district court.
- July 2024: After the district court dismissed the case, ADF attorneys appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
- August 2024: 71Five was allowed to continue to receive grant funding while the appeal continued.
- November 2024: ADF attorneys participated in oral argument before the 9th Circuit.
- August 2025: The 9th Circuit ultimately ruled that 71Five was unlikely to succeed on free exercise claims.
- January 2026: ADF attorneys filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court
