Money Matters

The Appropriations Timeline

October - December: Project Development

Determine where federal funding might be applicable and which projects are best suited for a federal appropriations funding strategy.  This requires a concerted effort from planning leaders and community supporters to make recommendations on which projects to pursue, how they will be prioritized, how they will be prepared and presented.  Active and frequent participation by all stakeholders is key to pursuing appropriation dollars, Members of Congress act on requests and issues on behalf of their constituents.

January - April: Submission of Requests to Congress

Once the project(s) are identified, the next step is to complete all required forms, letters and paperwork required for submission to your congressional delegations office(s).  The submissions should contain a letter informing the Congressional Members that you are requesting funding.  Many offices also require a special project description form to be completed for each project.  These forms can be obtained directly from the Members office.

Typically, in first quarter of calendar year, community leaders should schedule a visit to Washington, D.C. to brief their Congressional Members on the project(s).

May - June: Initial Committee Hearings

The House Appropriation process typically takes place between the middle of May and early June, with the entire House usually voting on appropriations bills in July.   With completion of House action, the Senate usually begins consideration of appropriation bills in July.

Supporters should take the opportunity during this time to stay in touch with their Congressional Members and offer whatever assistance you can with facts and data.

September - October: Final Conference Committee Hearings

After the Congress returns from its traditional August recess, it begins final consideration of spending bills – appropriations bills – and other measures.  This final consideration takes place in so-called “conference committees” – meetings between House members and Senators to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate-passed bills.  This process is a critical time – sometimes projects are included earlier in the process, at the committee level, and supporters must work to ensure that the projects remain in the final conference report.  In other cases, projects are added to the final bill in conference and supporters must work closely with Congressional supporters to ensure that the project is added.

November - December: Grant Release

After the President signs the bill into law containing your congressional set-aside, the (earmark) becomes law and is disbursed through a “grant release process.”   This process differs from agency to agency, and requires working closely with program officials at the appropriate agencies to facilitate and expedite the release of the funding approved by Congress or federal agency.  You may consider coming to Washington early in the New Year – January, February or March – to meet with project managers.