Читать книгу Grant Writing For Dummies - Stan Hutton, Beverly A. Browning - Страница 77

An earmark is a legislative provision that directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects, or that direct specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees. Federal earmarks are also referred to as pork barrel spending, when a member of Congress seeks to fund projects in their own state or district but will not seek these monies for anyone else’s constituency. Okay, if it sounds like a pig, it’s a pig, right? Earmarks are useful tools for majority-party leaders in Congress. For instance, a member of Congress from a rural district might ask for a larger space for the local Big Brothers Big Sisters club.

How can earmarks help you and your federal grantfunding needs? Funds for your community that are designated as earmarks are not subject to submitting a competitive grant application and waiting to see if your application is recommended for funding. The types of projects that can be funded with earmarks are infrastructure, community programs, university research, health care-related, and other local initiatives. Yes, with a high level of Congressional communications activated on your part, your projects in need of funding can be included in a federal budget line item tagged as an earmark for your Congressional district.

It’s important to remember that earmarks come and go with each federal election and the political party in majority for four or more years. Do your homework and find out who represents you in Congress. Ask yourself, are they in the majority ruling party in the House and/or Senate? If yes, start making calls to your Congressional team’s staff members. Ask about an earmark. Ask what you need to do or write or submit to be considered for an earmark. Do not give up and do not be discouraged. One telephone call will not do the job. You must be persistent!

Also, work to engage elected officials in becoming oriented to your organization’s needs. How? Host an annual legislative event (a breakfast, lunch, or dinner) where you present an overview of your organization and a wish list for programs and services. Make sure to use a slide-show presentation and give each attendee an information packet covering your presentation content. Your only agenda item is convincing elected officials or their staff members that your organization has the most need for government funding.

Some elected officials have a policy of not providing letters of support, advocating, or communicating with nonprofits. While one elected official in your area may not be available, you should still go ahead and contact others.