The United States House of Representatives announced a new era for congressional influence over how the federal government spends some of the $1.4 trillion in discretionary spending approved every year. As of today, the Senate has not yet announced its plan but both chambers are in negotiations to implement this in a transparent and responsible way.
The House plan calls for resurrecting earmarks in the form of “Community Project Funding.” Earmarks are targeted spending projects that individual lawmakers can insert into large spending bills without a direct vote to deliver something to the lawmaker’s home district. The idea is that the members have first-hand knowledge of their community needs and can work to directly help organizations deliver those services.
Lawmakers can only submit earmarks to eligible nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits with qualified programs need to act now to assist their representatives in Congress to get all materials submitted for funding of their high-priority projects, specifically projects that address core infrastructure and community service needs.
Larkin Hoffman’s Government Relations team has put together a Guide to Federal Funding for Nonprofits and Government Entities to keep you updated on the status of congressionally directed spending and assist nonprofits and government entities in navigating important next steps.
To view or download a copy of the guide, click here.
Our team has also put together a podcast to help clarify who is eligible and what they need to do to qualify for funding. Listen to the podcast below:
Larkin Hoffman’s Government Relations team is ready to assist those interested in preparing proposals for program funding and to guide the projects through the entire process at the Capitol. Please reach out to Megan Knight or any of our team members for more information.