Congressionally Directed Funding

After a self-imposed ban in 2011, US Congress resumed receiving requests for federal funding for the FY2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act. By making a “Congressionally Directed Spending” request to your US Senator and/or a “Community Project Funding” to your US Representative, you may be able to earn a one-time federal appropriation for your nonprofit organization! This is an unconventional grant application process, where you advocate to Congress to appropriate funds for your special project which serves the broader community.

However, the appropriations process can feel like an overwhelming and confusing process that can sometimes take a year (or more) to complete with lots of moving parts. Attendees will learn how the federal appropriations process works, who is eligible, what you can apply for, and how much money you can request (we’re talking five to seven digits, baby!), as well as whether or not match requirements will apply to your project. Attendees will also learn how to connect with the offices of their US Senators and Representative(s) and how to find the applications for making a request in the spring, how to appropriately cultivate a relationship with Congressional offices, and how to advocate for your appropriations request before and during the appropriations process. This process is all about timing, advocacy, and developing relationships with both your Congressional delegates, as well as stakeholders within the community; attendees will walk away with a calendar template so you can plan out and effectively time your activities for the best chance at earning an earmark!