Federal Earmark Submission Process
What It Is
An earmark is a provision inserted into a discretionary spending appropriations bill that directs funds to a specific recipient while circumventing the merit-based or competitive funds allocation process.
How to Apply
To apply for federal earmark funding, a non-profit organization must submit a project proposal directly to their relevant U.S. Senators and House Representatives, outlining the specific project they want funded; these members of Congress then advocate for the project to be included in the annual appropriations bill during the legislative process, essentially "earmarking" the funds for that specific project within their district or state.
Key points about applying for earmark funding:
· Direct contact with lawmakers:
Unlike traditional grant applications, non-profits must reach out to their local Congressional representatives to submit their earmark requests.
· Project details required:
The proposal should clearly detail the project's goals, impact, community need, and how the funds will be used.
· Congressional review and advocacy:
Once submitted, the project is reviewed by the relevant Congressional member who decides whether to champion it in the appropriations process.
· Limited availability:
The amount of earmark funding available is restricted, and each member of Congress has a limited number of projects they can advocate for.
Ann sent an email out on Dec. 19 regarding the dates of submission and the process for obtaining federal Earmark funds for your clinic. February 14 is the last date for submission. Ann sent out an incorrect ending date, thank heaven it is in your favor….more time to work on the submission and make contact with your State Senator.
Good Luck!
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