By: @Kyle Packham
Fiscal Year 2024 marked the third appropriations cycle in the modern era of Congressional earmarks. Leveraging the history of the current programs and examining the trends over time, the National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) Advocacy and Grants Teams shared this past summer what special districts can anticipate for the FY25 Community Project Funding and Congressionally-Directed Funding (earmarks) programs, guidance on program rules, and how to prepare. Now is the time to put those preparations to use and begin reaching out to your federal representatives in Congress to make them aware of your potential interest in submitting a request to their office.
If you have yet to watch, check out this on-demand webinar, Preparing for FY25 Congressional Earmarks, with important insights for districts seeking to get ahead of the often quick and chaotic application period.
There’s more to NSDC Grant Services
This webinar is only a highlight of the grants services offered to CSDA members through our national coalition. CSDA members have a range of tools at their disposal to navigate the at-times complicated and overwhelming grants process. These resources are well suited for an array of programming needs and the stages of their development – whether a special district has specific project needs or is just beginning their funding search for potential projects.
The NSDC grants resource was launched in January 2022 in partnership with The Ferguson Group (TFG). Entitled the “Project Idea Portal,” this platform is designed for CSDA members to submit information on infrastructure needs or community programming for which funding opportunities are sought. Districts may submit details of their projects via the webform, which TFG’s grants team will review and work with the district to identify potential grant and finance opportunities. Within a week of submission, the Grants Team will respond with potential opportunities befitting of the identified needs, which may include a relevant “General Grants Guide” offering information on a number of authorized federal grants. Special districts may request a meeting with the Grants Team for consultation and further questions.
TFG’s general grant guides, offered through NSDC, provides a wealth information on authorized federal grant and financing programs on a range of policy topics including:
- Broadband
- Cybersecurity
- Economic and community development
- Fire protection
- Libraries and museums
- Mental Health
- Parks and Recreation
- Rural development
- Transportation
- Water and wastewater
Each guide includes information on specific programming, examples of successful projects, details of funding requirements such as cost sharing, and contact information for federal agencies implementing the programs. Furthermore, CSDA members receive weekly updates on newly opened federal grant opportunities of general interest to special districts.
Special districts utilizing the Project Idea Portal or other NSDC grants services may, but are not obligated to, seek further engagement with TFG’s full grant services using a competitive, grandfathered and discounted offered to CSDA members. Information submitted via the Microsoft Form is not shared with third parties.
Finally, CSDA members have access to appropriations and earmark support. Each year, Congress must pass 12 appropriations bills to ensure funding for federal programs. Members of Congress generally begin seeking stakeholder input on federal funding and program needs to effectively represent constituent needs. NSDC and TFG offer information and guidance on the Appropriations process for members as well as with the congressional earmarks program.
CSDA is excited to continue offering these important resources to special districts providing essential services to millions of Americans. For more information, visit www.nationalspecialdistricts.org.
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