Morelle Community Project Funding Guide FY23

Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee

General Services Administration

Federal Buildings Fund - New Construction, Major Repairs & Alterations & Basic Repairs Account

*This is a new account for FY 23*

Projects are limited to line items in the GSA Federal Buildings Fund requested by the Administration in either the FY22 or FY23 budget request. This account was not eligible for community project funding in the House in FY22 but was eligible for community project funding in the Senate. The awards in FY22 ranged from $500,000 to $50 million. Note that the Committee may consider a similar project range for FY23, and any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Supplemental Questions:

1. Does the public have access to the building the project will be completed in?
2. Can this project be executed by a small business?
3. Does this request augment an existing Basic Repairs project?
4. Has a Major Alteration and Repairs project been completed at this site in the last three years?
5. Community engagement and support is crucial in determining which projects are worthy of Federal funding. To that end, please describe or include evidence of community support that were compelling factors in the Member’s decision to submit this project request. Please include any relevant links to information posted on your website, or online, including letters of support as well as a list of any material you are uploading.

National Archives and Records Administration

National Historical Publications and Records Commission

*This is a new account for FY 23*

Projects that help ensure online public discovery and use of historical records collections, encourage public engagement with historical records, strengthen the nation’s archival network, or publish documentary editions of historical records. Generally, projects should comply with the eligibility requirements for existing National Historical Publications and Records Commission grants programs as specified at https://www.archives.gov/nhprc/apply/eligibility.html. This account was not eligible for community project funding in the House in FY22 but was eligible for equivalent funding in the Senate. The average award in FY22 was just under $500,000. Note that the Committee may consider slightly higher project amounts for FY23, and any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Supplemental Questions:

1. How will this project directly help ensure online public discovery and use of historical records collections, encourage public engagement with historical records, strengthen the nation’s archival network, or publish documentary editions of historical records?
2. Please provide a detailed spend plan for the requested funding, breaking down anticipated expenditures for each major category of project activity.
3. Are there matching funds associated with the requested funds? If yes, please list the source(s) and amount(s).
4. If the request does not fully fund the project, describe where the remaining funding comes from to fund the project.
5. If the Appropriations Committee is not able to provide the full amount of funding requested, can this project start in a limited capacity?
6. Is this a new or ongoing project? If it is an ongoing project, please provide a history of funding for the project, including Federal, state, or local government; non-profit; corporate.
7. Will the funds go to an organization that will make sub-grants of those funds to other organizations? If yes, please list the sub-grantees.
8. Is this a capital project or will any funds support operating costs?
9. Who will oversee the administration/management of the project and what accountability measures will be in place to ensure the appropriate use of taxpayer funds?
10. What performance standards will be used to evaluate whether the program or project supported by the funds meets its mission?
11. Has the organization or any potential sub-grantees been subject to sanction or litigation by State, local, or Federal governments in the past five years? If yes, please provide details.
12. Has the organization received funding from the National Archives and Records Administration in the past 5 years? If yes, please provide details on the amount(s) and purpose(s) for which these funds were received.
13. Community engagement and support is crucial in determining which projects are worthy of Federal funding. To that end, please describe or include evidence of community support that were compelling factors in the Member’s decision to submit this project request. Please include any relevant links to information posted on your website, or online, including letters of support as well as a list of any material you are uploading.

Small Business Administration

Small Business Initiatives

In FY 22
Total Funding: $32,424,945
Average Project Cost: $589,544
Median Project Cost: $500,000
Highest Request: $1,000,000
Lowest Request: $50,000
Number of Requests: 55

Projects in support of small businesses, including but not limited to entrepreneur training, workforce development, counseling, research, and construction or acquisition of facilities. The average award in this account for FY22 was $650,000. Note the Committee may consider slightly higher project amounts for FY23, and any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Supplemental Questions:

1. How will this project directly benefit small businesses and/or entrepreneurs at the local, regional, and/or national level?
2. Please provide a detailed spend plan for the requested funding, breaking down anticipated expenditures for each major category of project activity.
3. Are there matching funds associated with the requested funds? If yes, please list the source(s) and amount(s).
4. If the request does not fully fund the project, describe where the remaining funding comes from to fund the project.
5. If the Appropriations Committee is not able to provide the full amount of funding requested, can this project start in a limited capacity? {yes/no}
6. Is this a new or ongoing project? If it is an ongoing project, please provide a history of funding for the project, including Federal, state, or local government; non-profit; corporate.
7. Will the funds go to an organization that will make sub-grants of those funds to other organizations? If yes, please list the sub-grantees.
8. Is the project a capital project or will the funds support operating costs?
9. Who will oversee the administration/management of the project and what accountability measures will be in place to ensure the appropriate use of taxpayer funds?
10. What performance standards will be used to evaluate whether the program or project supported by the funds meets its mission?
11. Has the organization or any potential sub-grantees been subject to sanction or litigation by State, local, or Federal governments in the past five years? If yes, please provide details.
12. Has the organization received funding from the Small Business Administration in the past 3 years? If yes, please provide details on the amount(s) and purpose(s) for which these funds were received.
13. Community engagement and support is crucial in determining which projects are worthy of Federal funding. To that end, please describe or include evidence of community support that were compelling factors in the Member’s decision to submit this project request. You may include any relevant links to information posted on your website, or online, including letters of support.

Homeland Security Subcommittee

In FY 22
Total Funding: $149,452,686
Average Project Cost: $2,019,631
Median Project Cost: $1,000,000
Number of Requests: 74

Department of Homeland Security

Pre-Disaster Mitigation Projects

In FY 22
Total Funding: $127,867,283
Average Project Cost: $2,906,075
Median Project Cost: $1,500,000
Highest Request: $9,950,000
Lowest Request: $187,500
Number of Requests: 44

Only projects that meet the requirements detailed in the most recent Notice of FundingOpportunity for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program will be considered for funding, including the cost-share requirement and environmental and historic preservation requirements, as applicable. For any projects designated for funding in the final fiscal year 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, the state agency responsible for administering mitigation grants in the requestor’s state must submit an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and that entity will serve as the administrative agent for the grant. Therefore, all project proposals must be accompanied by a letter of support fromthe appropriate state agency affirming that it believes the project is eligible. 

Please pay careful attention to FEMA’s eligibility requirements when answering the following questions:

1. Is the requesting jurisdiction a state, Indian tribal government, local government, or territory as defined by section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)?
2. Is the proposed project eligible under the most recent Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program?
3. Can the requesting jurisdiction provide the required non-federal cost share, as detailed in the NOFO?
4. If less than the requested amount were provided as the federal share, would additional state local, or other eligible funding sources be available to support the project?
5. Can the requesting jurisdiction provide a Cost-Benefit Analysis or other documentation that validates cost-effectiveness, which is defined by FEMA as having a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCA) of 1.0 or greater? A non-FEMA BCA methodology may only be used if preapproved by FEMA in writing.
6. Is the entity that will benefit from the proposed activity covered by the current FEMAapproved multi-hazard mitigation plan in compliance with 44 CFR Part 201? If so, what is the Final FEMA Approval date.
7. How will the project provide long-term permanent risk-reduction, as opposed to simply supporting emergency protective measures?
8. Can the recipient describe how the project supports the needs of vulnerable populations?
9. Does the recipient specifically encourage the adoption and enforcement of the latest disaster resistant building codes?
10. Provide a clear and detailed description of the proposed mitigation activity.
11. How will the mitigation activity be implemented?
12. Who will manage and complete the mitigation activity?
13. What risks will remain from all hazards after project implementation (i.e., residual risk)?
14. How does the project take into account future conditions?
15. Has the project has been submitted to current or previous competitive BRIC funding cycles?
    1. If the answer to the previous question is yes, what is the subgrant ID?
16. Community engagement and support is crucial in determining which projects are worthy of federal funding. Please describe or include evidence of community support that were compelling factors in the Member’s decision to submit this project request, including letters of support and any relevant links to information posted on the Member’s website or other online sources.
17. Has the community consulted with state/county/local emergency management officials or with FEMA about the proposed project?
    1. If the answer to the previous question is yes, please provide name agency and contact information.
18. Is there or will there be a letter from the appropriate state officials confirming that should the project be approved the appropriate state agency is willing and able to serve as the recipient for the grant?

Emergency Operations Center Grant Program

In FY 22
Total Funding: $21,435,403
Average Project Cost: $739,152
Median Project Cost: $1,000,000
Highest Request: $1,000,000
Lowest Request: $36,000
Number of Requests: 29

Only projects that meet the requirements detailed in the most recent Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Emergency Operations Center Grant Program, including the cost-share requirement and environmental and historic preservation requirements, as applicable, will be considered for funding. For any projects designated for funding in the final fiscal year 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, the respective state administrative agency (SAA) must submit an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and that agency will serve as the administrative agent for the grant. Therefore, all project proposals must beaccompanied by a letter of support from the appropriate SSA affirming that it believes the project is eligible. 

Please pay careful attention to FEMA’s eligibility requirements when answering the following questions:

1. Is the requesting jurisdiction a state, Indian tribal government, or local government as defined by section 102 or 602 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 USC 5122, 5195a?
2. Is the proposed project eligible under the most recent Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Emergency Operations Center Grant Program? (For EOCs, the fiscal year 2011 NOFO is the most recent.)
3. Can the requesting jurisdiction provide the required 25 percent non-federal cost share?
4. If less than the requested amount were provided as the federal share, would additional state local, or other eligible funding sources be available to support the project?
5. Is the requestor in a position to enhance their emergency management capabilities and address their Emergency Operations Center needs?
6. Is the proposed project related to a structure or facility that meets the definition of an EOC, to include supporting incident management (on-scene) operations across multiple functional disciplines and/or jurisdictions?
7. Is the facility (or will the facility) be the primary Emergency Operations Center for the jurisdiction?
8. Community engagement and support is crucial in determining which projects are worthy of federal funding. Please describe or include evidence of community support that were compelling factors in the Member’s decision to submit this project request, including letters of support and any relevant links to information posted on the Member’s website or other online sources.
9. Has the community consulted with state/county/local emergency management officials or with FEMA about the proposed project?
   1. If the answer to the previous question is yes, please provide name agency and contact information.
10. Is there or will there be a letter from the appropriate state officials confirming that should the project be approved the appropriate state agency is willing and able to serve as the recipient for the grant?

Interior and Environment Subcommittee

In FY 22
Total Funding: $443,928,695
Average Project Cost: $1,441,327
Median Project Cost: $1,000,000
Number of Requests: 308

Department of the Interior

For each community project funding request, Member offices will need to submit the following information:

• Amount requested
• Total project cost
• FY 2023 President’s Budget Request (if applicable).
• FY 2022 enacted level (if applicable).
• Can the project obligate all of the appropriated funds within 12 months after enactment (yes/no)?
• Was this request submitted to another subcommittee this fiscal year, and if so, which one?
• Estimated start and completion dates for the project.

Save America’s Treasures (SAT) through the National Park Service

*This is a new account for FY 23*

The Save America’s Treasures grant program is for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant collections and historic properties. The SAT program falls under the purview of the Historic Preservation Fund account and was established in 1998 to celebrate America's premier cultural resources in the new millennium (Public Law 113–287, Section 308902, 128 Stat. 3244; 54 USC 3089 et seq.). The existing competitive grant program funds two categories of projects: awards managed by the National Park Service (NPS) for preservation projects at properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places for national significance or designated a National Historic Landmark; and awards managed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for projects involving nationally significant collections (including artifacts, museum collections, documents, sculptures, and other works of art).

To be considered for Community Project Funding, each applicant must provide information consistent with competitive application requirements. All grant recipients must comply with relevant requirements for recipients of Federal financial assistance and program-specific requirements found here on NPS’s SAT website. Consistent with prior years, Members are encouraged to consider a project funding threshold of up to $500,000 when making requests in this account. This a new account for the FY23 House process.

All SAT grants require a dollar‐for‐dollar non‐federal matching share. Recipients of any SAT project funded in the Interior bill must be able to match the amount provided. The property must be on the National Register of Historic Places in order to be eligible to receive funding. Grants are not available for work on sites or collections owned by the NPS. Other federal agencies working with a nonprofit partner to preserve the historic properties or collections owned by the federal agency may submit applications through the partner. If the project has received previous appropriations, it is not eligible. A building or structure may only receive one SAT grant. Previous SAT projects can be viewed here: https://go.nps.gov/satmap.

If the historic structure has been moved, it is probably not eligible for funding. It is best to ask the State Historic Preservation Officer if the proposed work meets the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Buildings (https://ncshpo.org/). Work that has already been done prior to SAT funding may have had an adverse effect on the historic features of the building and make it ineligible for the National Register and for SAT funding.

Contractors for the project must be competitively selected, as stipulated under Government‐ wide Grants Requirements set by OMB. New construction is not eligible. The SAT grant program was created to preserve nationally significant properties by repairing them, not adding to or changing them.

Demolition of an historic building or significant changes to it are not eligible projects under the SAT grant program. The sponsors of this project must agree to a preservation easement or covenant. The National Park Service not only pays for the work to fix the roof, but also ensures that if the property is sold later, then the covenant or easement will bind the new owner to maintain and preserve the historic building that gets the SAT grant.

Supplemental Questions:

1. If the request is for a preservation project, does the property meet the SAT requirement to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance or to be designated a National Historic Landmark, either individually or as contributing to an historic district?
2. Is the recipient one of the eligible entities under the HPF, as identified in 54 USC 308901?
3. What type of eligible entity is the recipient?
4. Does the recipient have in place, or a plan to provide, the one-to-one match with nonfederal cash and/or in-kind contribution?
5. Would the requested project fund an eligible activity under the SAT program?
6. Is the applicant prepared to accept the required preservation easement/covenant that is required by the program?
7. Has this project been completed or advanced beyond emergency stabilization?
8. Is the applicant financially sound and capable of managing a federal grant so to minimize the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse and loss of federal funding?

Land Acquisition through the Land and Water Conservation Fund

In FY 22
Total Funding: $7,824,000
Highest Request: $4,124,500
Lowest Request: $3,700,000
Number of Requests: 2

Federal acquisition of lands and water and interests therein must be for the purpose of land and habitat conservation and the encouragement of outdoor recreation, as established by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act of 1965. Land acquisition project requests funded from the LWCF should be requested through the agency that would manage the land being acquired. The four land management agencies are: within the Department of the Interior, (1) the Bureau of Land Management, (2) the Fish and Wildlife Service, (3) the National Park Service; and within the Department of Agriculture, (4) the Forest Service.

Third party organizations (i.e. The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, etc.) frequently  participate in the federal acquisition process by coordinating the negotiation and purchase of  tracts. If the project you are requesting involves a third-party organization, please be mindful that funding for a land acquisition project goes to the agency that will manage the land. 

The Great American Outdoors Act of (Public Law 116-152) and the Consolidated Appropriations  Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) mandates that the President submit, along with the upcoming fiscal year’s budget request, proposed and supplemental project lists. The Committee will look favorably upon requests for projects that appear in either of these lists. When submitting your request, please indicate whether the project is on these lists.

Supplemental Question:

1. Is the requested project on either the president’s proposed or supplemental LWCF project list submitted by the agency?

Environmental Protection Agency

State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)

In FY 22
Total Funding: $428,577,695
Average Project Cost: $1,488,117
Median Project Cost: $1,040,000
Highest Request: $3,500,000
Lowest Request: $68,000
Number of Requests: 288

The vast majority of requests made to the Interior Subcommittee are for STAG infrastructure grants. These grants fund local wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. This includes construction of and modifications to municipal sewage treatment plants and drinking water treatment plants. Similar to past practice, the Committee will be limiting STAG infrastructure grants only to projects that are publicly-owned or owned by a non-profit entity and that are otherwise eligible for the funding from that state’s Clean Water or Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) loan programs. Members should use the range of House and Senate project amounts funded in FY22 as a general guide when making requests. In FY22, the majority of EPA STAG infrastructure projects funded in the House bill ranged from $60,000 - $3,500,000, though there were a handful of exceptions. Note that the Committee may consider higher project amounts for FY23, and any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests. 

Privately-owned projects are NOT eligible for infrastructure grants, even if they are otherwise eligible for assistance under a SRF program. The Committee will look favorably upon requests for projects that are listed on a state’s most recent Intended Use Plan.

There is a minimum 20% cost share requirement for any portion of a project funded through a STAG infrastructure grant. For example, a $1 million project could receive a maximum of $800,000 from the Federal government, with the remaining $200,000 the responsibility of the grantee. In almost all cases, other federal funds cannot be used to meet this 20% cost share. 10 Ability to fund the 20% cost share is required before EPA can award a STAG grant. Please note that assistance provided by a SRF counts towards the project’s matching requirement. 

STAG projects have very specific eligibility requirements, and the Committee will not consider  projects that do not meet those requirements.

Projects that generally ARE NOT eligible for STAG Grants include:

Clean Water/Wastewater

1. Land: except for projects described in the subsequent table under eligibility #11
2. Operations and Maintenance Costs.
3. Non-Municipal point source Control.
4. Acid Rain Drainage Correction.
5. Ambient Water quality monitoring.
6. Flood Control Projects, unless the project is otherwise managing, reducing, treating, or recapturing stormwater.
7. Privately Owned Sewer Pipes.

Drinking Water

1. Dams or rehabilitation of dams.
2. Operations and Maintenance Costs.
3. Water Rights, except if the water rights are owned by a system that is being purchased through consolidation as part of a capacity  development strategy or if the water rights  purchase is covered by EPA’s DWSRF Class Deviation for Water Rights 2019.
4. Reservoirs, except for finished water reservoirs and those reservoirs that are part of the treatment process and are located on the property where the treatment facility is located.
5. Laboratory Fees for Monitoring.
6. Projects needed mainly for fire protection.
7. Projects for systems that lack adequate technical, managerial, and financial capability, unless assistance will ensure compliance.
8. Projects for systems in significant noncompliance, unless funding will ensure compliance.
9. Projects primarily intended to serve future growth.

Projects that generally ARE eligible for STAG Grants:

Clean Water/Wastewater

1. Wastewater treatment plants, including sludge handling facilities ‐ new, upgraded  (increase in treatment level) or expanded (increase in treatment capacity) facilities, including biological facilities, mechanical, a lagoon system, a land treatment system, or individual on‐site systems.
2. Collector Sewers - Small sewers that convey wastewater from residences, commercial establishments, and industrial sites to larger interceptor sewers.
3. Interceptor Sewers - Large sewers that convey wastewater from collector sewers directly to a wastewater treatment facility.
4. Sewer Pipes - Rehabilitation is eligible only if pipes are publicly owned.
5. Outfall Sewer - A sewer that conveys treated wastewater from a wastewater treatment facility to the receiving waters (i.e., a river, stream, lake, ocean, etc.).
6. Stormwater Management - Measures to manage, reduce, treat, or recapture stormwater or subsurface drainage water (i.e. storm sewers, green infrastructure, etc.).
7. Combined sewer overflow (CSO) control and sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) control ‐  Combined sewers are sewers that convey both wastewater and storm water and may  overflow during periods of heavy rain. The costs to correct CSO and SSO overflow  problems are eligible.
8. Infiltration/Inflow Correction ‐ Construction activities that prevent surface water or  groundwater from entering the sewer system.
9. Water Security ‐ These projects include installation or upgrade of physical security  infrastructure such as lighting, fencing, monitoring and access control. Also, cybersecurity measures, installation of safer treatment technologies, and more secure storage of on‐site treatment.
10. Septic Tanks ‐ Remediation, rehabilitation, removal and replacement of failing tanks are  eligible, as well as installation of new tanks where none had previously existed.
11. Land - The leasing and fee‐simple purchase of land, including surface and subsurface  easements, needed to locate eligible municipal or tribal projects, and land integral to the treatment process (e.g., land for effluent application or recharge basins), and a place to store equipment and material during POTW construction. Municipal purchase of land and/or conservation easements for source water protection are also eligible.
12. Water Reuse ‐ Projects involving the municipal reuse or recycling of wastewater,  stormwater, or subsurface drainage water. This includes but is not limited to the purchase and installation of treatment equipment sufficient to meet reuse standards, distribution systems to support effluent reuse, recharge transmission lines, injection wells, and equipment to reuse effluent (e.g., gray water, condensate, and wastewater effluent reuse systems).
13. Capital Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Projects – e.g., river or streambank restoration, agricultural best management practices (i.e., buffer strips, manure  containment structures), wetlands restoration, etc.

Drinking Water

1. Facilitate compliance with national primary drinking water regulations or address serious risks to public health including non-regulated contaminants (i.e. PFAS).
2. Rehabilitate or develop water sources (excluding reservoirs, dams, dam rehabilitation and water rights) to replace contaminated sources.
3. Install or upgrade treatment facilities.
4. Install or upgrade storage facilities, including finished water reservoirs, to prevent microbiological contaminants from entering the water system.
5. Install or replace transmission and distribution pipes to prevent contamination caused by leaks or breaks in the pipe, or improve water pressure to safe levels.
6. Projects to consolidate water supplies – for example, when individual homes or other public  water supplies have a water supply that is contaminated, or the system is unable to maintain compliance for financial or managerial reasons – are eligible for DWSRF assistance.
7. Land is eligible only if it is integral to a project that is needed to meet or maintain compliance and further public health protection.
8. Project planning, design and other related costs.

Supplemental Questions:

1. Is this a Clean Water SRF project or a Drinking Water SRF project?
2. Does the project have (or expects to have within 12 months) its 20 percent matching fund requirement?
3. Is the project on your state’s most recently finalized Clean Water/Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan?
4. Has the project received federal funds previously? If so, please describe.

U.S. Forest Service

State and Private Forestry

In FY 22
Total Funding: $7,526,500
Average Project Cost: $418,139
Median Project Cost: $429,000
Highest Request: $750,000
Lowest Request: $50,000
Number of Requests: 18

The Forest Service is an agency within the Department of Agriculture. Requests that do not fit into the described categories below are unlikely to be eligible for funding under the Forest Service. 

The State and Private Forestry (S&PF) account provides technical and financial assistance, usually through the network of State Foresters, to improve the management, protection, and utilization of the Nation’s forests. Community projects are usually limited and include various specific urban and community forestry projects and specific forest disease or pest treatment areas. Members may also request specific State fire assistance projects or specific forestry assistance projects in this account. Please carefully review the information the Forest Service provides on its website regarding what activities are permitted under the various S&PF programs and consult with your State Forester office if needed to confirm that all of a project’s activities are eligible for S&PF funding. Members should use the range of House and Senate project amounts funded in FY22 as a general guide for making requests. In FY22, the majority of State and Private Forestry projects in the House bill ranged from $50,000 - $750,000. Note that the Committee will consider similar project amounts for FY23, and any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Note, State and Private Forestry projects are required to meet the 1:1 matching requirement mandated by the Forest Service. Keep this in mind when considering the amount being requested for the project. The amount being requested can be no more than half of the total project cost to account for matching funds being used (ex. If a project has been calculated to cost $200,000, then a request for a CPF can be no more than $100,000 for that project to allow for 1:1 matching funds to be used.) Additionally, project amounts should be to the nearest thousand (ex. $100,000 instead of $100,500).

The Committee will look favorably upon requests for projects that are listed on any federal or state ordinal list or are clearly demonstrated to meet the goals of a State Forest Action Plan(s). Please ensure any requests submitted for S&PF funding include not only full details on the types of activities in the project, but other details relevant to the specific type of S&PF program the project would fall under (ex. For landscape scale restoration, precise location data is needed).

Supplemental Questions:

1. Does the recipient have in place, or a plan to provide, the one-to-one match with nonfederal cash and/or in-kind contribution?
2. Has the project received federal funds previously? If so, please describe.
3. Is the project ranked in a priority setting system/list? If so, please provide list name and rank.
4. How does this project meet the goals of the State Forest Action Plan and/or support community plans?
5. Does this project meet the eligibility requirements of one of the following Forest Service, State and Private Forestry Programs? Landscape Scale Restoration, Forest Health Management, Cooperative Fire Assistance, Forest Stewardship, or Urban and Community Forestry
6. Provide evidence to support the project's eligibility within a specific State and Private Forestry program. Some examples include: (If landscape scale restoration) Does this project meet the eligibility requirements of the Landscape Scale Restoration program as listed in the instructions on the Forest Service website? (If Forest Health Management) Is this project treating a specific insect, disease, or invasive plant infestation listed in the FY23 Forest Service Budget Justification? (If Urban and Community Forestry) How does the project meet the goals outlined in the 2016-2026 Urban Forestry Action plan?

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee

In FY 22
Total Funding: $670,080,000
Average Project Cost: $781,890
Median Project Cost: $600,000
Number of Requests: 857

The Labor‐HHS‐Education Subcommittee previously received requests for community project funding to construct or renovate buildings. Health facilities are the only types of construction projects normally eligible for community project funding in the Labor‐HHS‐Education bill.

Department of Labor

Employment and Training Administration

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Demonstration Program

In FY 22
Total Funding: $62,910,000
Average Project Cost: $648,557
Median Project Cost: $500,000
Highest Request: $2,000,000
Lowest Request: $20,000
Number of Requests: 97

Community project funding is  designated under Training and Employment Services. 

These projects must meet all statutorily mandated requirements, except that they are exempt  from the requirement to compete. In addition, all projects must: 

1. Include direct services to individuals to enhance employment opportunities; 
2. Demonstrate evidence of a linkage with the State or local workforce investment system; and
3. Include an evaluation component. 

Equipment purchases may be included within community project funding only as an incidental  part of the entire project. A similar standard applies to curriculum development, which should be  incidental to the project’s emphasis on direct services to individuals. 

Community project funding cannot be used for construction or renovation of facilities.

House project amounts in this account were funded between $100,000 and $2,000,000 in FY 2022. The Committee may consider slightly higher project amounts for FY 2023. Any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Department of Health and Human Services

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Requests that fit into one of the below categories are eligible for Community Project Funding under HRSA

In FY 22
Total Funding: $359,390,000
Average Project Cost: $940,812
Median Project Cost: $842,500
Highest Request: $4,000,000
Lowest Request: $15,000
Number of Requests: 382.

Health Facilities Construction and Equipment

Grants to help with the cost of construction, renovation, or capital equipment for facilities for provision of health, mental health, or substance  abuse services, training of health professionals, or medical research. Examples of eligible facilities  include hospitals; health centers and clinics; skilled nursing facilities; mental health centers; facilities for schools of medicine, nursing or other health professions; and medical research laboratories. 

In addition to construction and renovation, grants can be used to acquire capital equipment, such as lab equipment or x‐ray machines. Equipment‐only grants—that is, grants not involving  construction—are permissible (and commonly done). Generally, any equipment having a useful life of more than one year and a unit cost of at least $5,000 will be eligible as capital equipment. In addition, equipment with lower costs may also be eligible, provided that it is treated as an item of capital expense under the recipient institution’s pre‐existing, written accounting policies. Equipment expenses for health information systems and electronic medical records systems are permitted expenditures. The costs of expendable supplies such as pharmaceuticals, lab chemicals, or office paper are not eligible. 

HRSA Health Facilities grants cannot be used to acquire land or purchase existing buildings, or to pay salaries or other operating costs. They cannot be used to pay for work previously completed. Grants can be used for architectural and engineering costs associated with an eligible construction project, but cannot be used for general feasibility studies.

House project amounts in this account were funded between $100,000 and $2,000,000 (or up to $4,000,000 for projects jointly submitted by multiple Members) in FY 2022. Note that the Committee may consider slightly higher project amounts for FY 2023. Any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

In FY 22
Total Funding: $68,405,000
Average Project Cost: $589,698
Median Project Cost: $462,500
Highest Request: $2,000,000
Lowest Request: $15,000
Number of Requests: 116

Community project funding through SAMHSA provides resources for substance use and/or mental health services — including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, or recovery support services.

Community project funding within SAMHSA should be submitted through the Health Surveillance and Program Support account.

Generally, SAMHSA projects cover:

• Evidence-based substance use disorder and/or mental health treatment services.
• Evidence-based harm reduction activities.
• Crisis services, including 24-hour mobile crisis teams.
• Suicide prevention activities including awareness training, screening, referral to treatment, as well as postvention activities.
• Recovery support services, which includes case management, outreach, peer recovery mentors, peer support specialists, childcare, training, transportation, and housing, as well as helping individuals to navigate these various services.
• Screening and assessment of individuals, including the presence of co-occurring mental and substance use disorders and referral to treatment.
• Referral and access to treatment services.
• Educational materials on substance misuse, HIV prevention, hepatitis prevention, and mental health promotion.
• Practitioners or community members training on evidence-based behavioral health practices.
• FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorders in combination with comprehensive psychosocial services, including counseling, behavioral therapies, recovery support services, and other clinically appropriate services.
• Projects that support the hiring of behavioral health providers.
• Limited indirect costs that are directly related to the projects.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of the types of programs and services that SAMHSA funds. A listing of SAMHSA NOFO’s can be found at: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grantannouncements-2022.

SAMHSA project funds cannot be used for:

• Inpatient treatment or hospital-based detoxification services.
• Direct payments to individuals to enter treatment or continue to participate in prevention or treatment services.
• Meals and food.
• Research projects (e.g., scientific, academic, clinical trials, studies, development of research technology).
• Construction (other than a limited amount of renovation necessary to carry out a funded project).

More information on allowable or unallowable costs can be found on the HHS Webpage at: https://www.hhs.gov/grants/grants/index.html

House project amounts in this account were funded between $100,000 and $2,000,000 in FY 2022. The Committee may consider slightly higher project amounts for FY 2023. Any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Administration for Children and Families

*These are new accounts for FY 23*

ACF community project funding cannot be used for construction or renovation of facilities. Community project funding within ACF should be submitted through the Children and Families Services Programs account and must fall under one of the following categories:

Child Abuse Prevention

Community project funding may be used for projects to improve the prevention, assessment, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect through research, model service improvement, information dissemination, and technical assistance. Projects must serve or target children and families who are at risk or who have experienced child abuse and neglect.

Social Services Research and Demonstration

Community project funding may be used for projects to promote the ability of families to thrive through financial self-sufficiency in order to prevent and reduce poverty and to promote the healthy development and greater well-being of children and families. Projects can serve a diverse population including: low-income individuals, children, youth, families, individuals with developmental disabilities, and Native Americans.

The House LHHS bill did not include projects in this account in FY 2022. The Committee expects to consider project amounts in this account between $100,000 and $2,000,000 for FY 2023. Any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Administration for Community Living

Community project funding within ACL should be submitted through the Aging and Disability Services Programs account.

Community project funding may be used for projects to improve or create new opportunities for older adults, individuals of all ages with disabilities, and their eligible family caregivers, to live independently and participate fully in their communities. Generally, community project funding should focus on improving access to, or the quality of, education, health services, training, support services, and independent living services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and eligible family caregivers.

ACL community project funding cannot be used for construction or renovation of facilities.

The House LHHS bill did not include projects in this account in FY 2022. The Committee expects to consider project amounts in this account between $100,000 and $2,000,000 for FY 2023. Any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Department of Education

Elementary and Secondary Education

Innovation and Improvement

In FY 22
Total Funding: $86,860,000
Average Project Cost: $582,953
Median Project Cost: $500,000
Highest Request: $2,000,000
Lowest Request: $50,000
Number of Requests: 149

Community project funding for elementary and secondary education should be submitted through the Innovation and Improvement account. Elementary and secondary education community project funding includes instructional services, afterschool centers, curricula development, teacher training, acquisition of books and computers, arts education, social and emotional learning activities, full-service community schools, and early childhood education. In general, the focus of elementary and secondary education community project funding should be providing early childhood or K‐12 educational services. 

Community project funding to provide and improve special education services at the elementary and secondary levels are also eligible under elementary and secondary education. Community project funding may include early intervention services for infants and toddlers, transition services, and postsecondary education services. 

Eligible grantees are state education agencies, school districts, colleges and universities, and  other public and private nonprofit entities. Generally, community project funding intended for individual schools is provided to the applicable school district and not directly to the individual school.

Community project funding cannot be used for construction or renovation of school  buildings, except in the case of minor remodeling required as part of technology upgrades. Daycare and childcare projects that do not include educational services are also not eligible.

House project amounts in this account were funded between $100,000 and $2,000,000 in FY 2022. The Committee may consider slightly higher project amounts for FY 2023. Any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Postsecondary Education

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)

In FY 22
Total Funding: $92,515,000
Average Project Cost: $818,717
Median Project Cost: $750,000
Highest Request: $2,000,000
Lowest Request: $95,000
Number of Requests: 113

Community project funding  can be designated under this heading for a wide variety of higher education projects. Generally, community project funding should focus on improving access to, or the quality of, postsecondary education. Community project funding cannot be used for construction or renovation of academic buildings, except in the case of minor remodeling required as part of technology upgrades. 

Examples of the types of projects that can be funded under FIPSE include projects to hire and train faculty, establish and improve degree programs, improve teacher preparation programs, develop and improve curricula, upgrade technology and telecommunications, acquire science laboratory equipment, provide student support, implement university partnerships with school districts, and establish research and training centers. 

Grantees are usually colleges and universities, but may include other public and private nonprofit organizations.

House project amounts in this account were funded between $100,000 and $2,000,000 in FY 2022. The Committee may consider slightly higher project amounts for FY 2023. Any caps will be determined by the Chair after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Limitations on Education-Related Community Project Funding 

Except where specifically authorized, community project funding cannot be used for construction (or the acquisition of property) or renovation of buildings. In addition, grantees may not restrict participants based on race, ethnicity or gender. Finally, recipients of community project funding may not sub-grant to other organizations or agencies.

In addition, grantees may not restrict participants based on race, ethnicity, or gender. Any project that appears to target services toward a particular race, ethnicity, or gender must have a description that makes clear that it will be operated in a race/ethnicity-neutral and gender-neutral manner.

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Subcommittee

In FY 22
Total Funding: $227,726,666
Average Project Cost: $8,434,320.96
Number of Requests: 27

*NOTE: Most of these requests MUST be included in the President’s FY23 Budget to be requested as a CPF

A reminder, the Appropriations Committee will only consider requests meeting certain guidelines, including that the recipient is a state or local government or eligible non-profit. No requests for for-profit recipients will be considered. Requestors must also provide evidence of community support that were compelling factors in deciding to select the requested project

Please reach out to Morellecommunityprojectfunding@mail.house.gov if you intend to apply for any account within this subcommittee.

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee

In FY 22
Total Funding: $1,425,390,645
Average Project Cost: $1,470,991
Median Project Cost: $1,000,000
Number of Requests: 969

Department of Transportation

Transit Infrastructure Projects

*The following information is for last year's Local Transportation Priorities account. This account has been split into Transit Infrastructure Projects  and  Highway Infrastructure Projects for FY 23*

In FY 22
Total Funding: $422,417,090
Average Project Cost: $1,852,707
Median Project Cost: $1,350,000
Highest Request: $5,000,000
Lowest Request: $30,000
Number of Requests: 228

Transit Infrastructure Projects are public transportation capital projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49 of the United States Code. Eligible capital projects are described under Section 5302(4) of title 49, United States Code, and Section 5339(b)(1) and (c)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code.

All projects must be:

• Transit capital projects or project-specific planning/design for a transit capital project.
• Supported by the state, local governmental authority, or Tribal government that would administer the project. Inclusion on a Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) would satisfy this requirement.
• Administered by public entities or Tribal entities.

Public transportation or transit is defined in Section 5302(15) and (22) of title 49, United States Code, as regular, continuing shared-ride surface transportation that is open to the general public or open to a segment of the general public defined by age, disability, or low income, and does not include intercity passenger rail transportation, intercity bus service, charter bus service, school bus service, sightseeing service, courtesy shuttle service for patrons of one or more specific establishments, or intra-terminal or intra-facility shuttle services.

The Subcommittee will not fund activities that are administrative in nature even if they are eligible expenses under the statutory citation. These include general operating expenses, and activities authorized under sections 5303, 5304, and 5305 of title 49, United States Code. The Subcommittee will continue to treat the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program as programmatic requests and will not fund CIG projects under Transit Infrastructure Projects, consistent with the fiscal year 2022 process.

The average award in this account for fiscal year 2022 was $2.5 million. Note that the Committee may consider project amounts of up to $7 million for FY23, but any caps will be determined by the Chairman after reviewing the full universe of requests.

For each Transit Infrastructure Projects request, Members will need to provide specific information through the electronic database. The database will include the following questions to assist the Subcommittee in vetting and selecting projects. Several of them will require additional information from your office. Please ensure community project funding requests are not duplicative of requests to another Committee or Subcommittee.

Supplemental Questions:

1. What are the benefits of this project and why is it a priority?
2. What is the total cost of the project and what is the amount requested through community project funding?
3. What is the anticipated start/completion date?
4. What is the total project cost, and what is the amount requested for this project?
5. Has this project been requested by another Member of Congress or Senator? Has this request been submitted to another Committee this Fiscal Year? (If yes, which one(s))?
6. Does the project have other public (federal, state, local) and/or private funds committed to meet match or cost-share requirements for costs related to construction, operations, and maintenance? If so, what is the source and amount of those funds? NOTE: The cost-share requirements are defined in statute. In general, transit capital projects typically require 20 percent local share.
7. Does the project require an environmental review? If so, what is the status and/or outcome of the environmental review and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) category of action (if applicable)?
8. Where is the project in the construction process? NOTE: Options include: Planning and Environmental Review, Final Design, Right of Way, Capital purchase or lease (including bus purchases), Construction, and Other (please specify).
9. Was the project on a State, Tribal or territorial Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or a transportation improvement plan (TIP) as of 12/31/2021? If yes, please provide a link to the plan.
10. Please provide the STIP or TIP ID Number and specify which plan (ex. North Carolina STIP, New York Metropolitan Transportation Council TIP) the ID Number comes from.
11. Please provide a history of federal funding for the project, if any. Include both formula funds and any discretionary grants.
12. If the request does not fully fund the project, describe where the remaining funding comes from to complete the project.

Highway Infrastructure Projects

Highway Infrastructure Projects are capital projects eligible under title 23 of the United States Code. Eligible projects are described under Section 133(b) of title 23, United States Code, as amended by title III of division A of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Tribal and territorial capital projects authorized under Chapter 2 of title 23, United States Code, are also eligible.

All projects must be:

• Capital projects or project-specific planning/design for a capital project.
• Supported by the state or Tribal government that would administer the project. Inclusion on a Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) would satisfy this requirement.
• Administered by public entities or Tribal entities.

The Subcommittee will not fund activities that are administrative in nature even if they are eligible expenses under the statutory citation. These include general operating expenses, and activities required under sections 134 and 135 of title 23, United States Code.

The average award in this account for fiscal year 2022 was $2.7 million. Note that the Committee may consider project amounts of up to $7 million for FY23, but any caps will be determined by the Chairman after reviewing the full universe of requests.

Supplemental Questions:

1. What are the benefits of this project and why is it a priority?
2. What is the total cost of the project and what is the amount requested through community project funding?
3. What is the anticipated start/completion date?
4. Can the project obligate appropriated funds within 12 months after enactment? If not, what would be the expected date of obligation?
5. Has this project been requested by another Member of Congress or Senator? Has this request been submitted to another Committee this Fiscal Year? (If yes, which one(s))?
6. Does the project have other public (federal, state, local) and/or private funds committed to meet match or cost-share requirements for costs related to construction, operations, and maintenance? If so, what is the source and amount of those funds?
7. Does the project require an environmental review? If so, what is the status and/or outcome of the environmental review and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) category of action (if applicable)?
8. Type of project eligible under 23 USC 133(b) include NOTE: Highway, Bridge, EV Charging Infrastructure, Wildlife Crossing, Bike/Pedestrian, and Other (please specify). Please specify.
9. Where is the project in the construction process? Options include: Planning and Environmental Review, Final Design, Right of Way, Capital purchase or lease, Construction, and Other (please specify).
10. Was the project on a State, Tribal or territorial Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or a transportation improvement plan (TIP) as of 12/31/2021? If yes, please provide a link to the plan.
11. Please provide the STIP or TIP ID Number and specify which plan (ex. North Carolina STIP, New York Metropolitan Transportation Council TIP) the ID Number comes from.
12. Please provide a history of federal funding for the project, if any. Include both formula funds and any discretionary grants.
13. If the request does not fully fund the project, describe where the remaining funding comes from to complete the project.

Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

In FY 22
Total Funding: $79,959,135
Average Project Cost: $2,579,327
Median Project Cost: $2,000,000
Highest Request: $5,000,000
Lowest Request: $250,000
Number of Requests: 31

AIP community project requests may be used for enhancing airport safety, capacity, and security, and mitigating environmental concerns.

All projects must be:

• AIP eligible in accordance with sections 47101 to 47175 of title 49, United States Code, and FAA policy and guidance.
• Supported broadly by local stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and elected officials.
• Administered by an airport and/or airport sponsor.

The average award in this account for FY22 was $4 million. Note that the Committee may consider project amounts of up to $7 million for FY23, but any caps will be determined by the Chairman after reviewing the full universe of requests. Please ensure community project funding requests are not duplicative of requests to another Committee or Subcommittee.

Supplemental Questions:

1. What are the benefits of this project and why is it a priority?
2. What is the total project cost, and what is the requested amount for Community Project Funding?
3. Can the project obligate all appropriated funds within 12 months after enactment? If not, what would be the expected date of obligation?
   1. Obligation occurs when a project sponsor signs a grant agreement with a federal agency.
4. Estimated start and completion dates.
5. Has the project been requested by any other Member of Congress or Senator?
6. Does the project have other public (federal, state, local) and/or private funds for the required cost-share and committed for the forecasted operations and maintenance costs? If so, what is the source and amount of those funds?
7. Does the project require an environmental review? If so, what is the status and/or outcome of the environmental review and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) category of action (if applicable)?
8. How will the project contribute to the airport’s disadvantaged business enterprise goals?
9. Has the project received previous Federal funding? If so, how much and which public law (e.g., appropriations act or authorization act) provided it?
10. Is the project AIP-eligible?
11. Has the airport submitted a grant application for this same project to FAA? If so, when?
12. Would the project increase or decrease air traffic?
13. Would the project increase or decrease aviation safety?
14. Would the project increase or decrease environmental risks?
15. Does the airport and airport sponsor support the project?
16. Are there any stakeholders - such as residents that live near the airport, state or local officials, state department of transportation officials - that oppose the project?

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Economic Development Initiative (EDI)

In FY 22
Total Funding: $923,014,420
Average Project Cost: $1,300,020
Median Project Cost: $1,000,000
Highest Request: $5,000,000
Lowest Request: $25,000
Number of Requests: 710

EDI community project funding may be used for economic and community development activities, including land or site acquisition, demolition or rehabilitation of housing or facilities, construction and capital improvements of public facilities (including water and sewer facilities), and public services. Requests may also include planning and other activities consistent with previously funded activities eligible under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program (title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.)), unless otherwise specified. EDI community project funding is not eligible for the reimbursement of expenses for activities or costs incurred prior to the obligation of funds, if such activities are not eligible under the CDBG program. Capital and operating expenses for fire and police stations are not eligible for EDI community project funding.

The average award in this account for fiscal year 2022 was $1.5 million. Note that the Committee may consider project amounts of up to $4 million for FY23, but any caps will be determined by the Chairman after reviewing the full universe of requests.

All projects must be:

• Supported broadly by local stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and elected officials.
• Administered by governmental or non-profit entities, including public housing agencies, as well as tribes and tribally designated housing entities.

Supplemental Questions:

1. What are the benefits of this project and why is it a priority? Benefits could include safety, environmental, economic, equity, mobility, etc.
2. What is the total project cost, and what is the requested amount for Community Project Funding?
3. Can the project obligate all appropriated funds within 12 months after enactment? If not, what would be the expected date of obligation?
   1. Obligation occurs when a project sponsor signs a grant agreement with a federal agency.
4. What is the estimated start/completion date?
5. Does the project have other public (federal, state, local) and/or private funds committed to meet match or cost-share requirements for costs related to construction, operations, and maintenance? If so, what is the source and amount of those funds? NOTE: EDI community project funding does not have a match requirement.
6. Has this project been requested by any other Member of Congress/Senator?
7. Does the project require an environmental review? If so, what is the status and/or outcome of the environmental review and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) category of action (if applicable)?
8. Is the project purpose primarily for services, new construction, rehabilitation, land or site acquisition, planning, or economic development?
9. Does the project primarily benefit persons of low-income or Tribal communities? If yes, please describe who the project is intended to benefit.
10. Who are the community partners participating in this project?
11. If the project purpose is for new construction or land or site acquisition, does it comply with local zoning requirements?
12. Is the project included or supported by an identified priority area within a state or local HUD Consolidated Plan? If yes, please provide a link to the plan.
13. Is the project intended to address climate change, resiliency, mobility, or equitable access to housing or services?

Frequently Asked Questions

The process of requesting and submitting requests for Community Project Funding can be confusing. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the process. Please check this section for answers to many of your questions before following up with my staff.

What is Community Project Funding?

Community Project Funding is generally defined as spending provisions in federal legislation that:

• Are requested on behalf of constituents or constituent organizations by a Member of Congress or Senator;
• Provides, authorizes, or recommends a specific amount of discretionary budget authority, credit authority, or specific funding amount to a specific entity for a specific purpose; and,
• The purpose of the project must meet the objective of a federal program under existing law.

Community Project Funding is typically requested for projects with a clear purpose and goal above and beyond normal operating activities, for which private, non-federal funding is not available or sufficient. Community Project Funding will typically only serve as a partial contribution to the total cost of a project.

Community Project Funding is known as Congressionally Directed Spending in the U.S. Senate.

Is there a deadline for submitting a request?

Yes. The deadline to submit a Community Project Funding request for our office is April 15th. If you need additional time to procure additional pieces of Community Support, please let my team know in advance. My team is happy to work with you on a case by case basis.

What if I miss a deadline? Are any exceptions made if the bill hasn’t been passed?

Congressional offices review numerous requests in a short amount of time. As a result, deadlines are strictly enforced. Once our office submits my requests to the full committee, I am unable to change or add requests. That is why it’s important to submit your request before the deadline.

Are Community Project Funding requests publicly disclosed?

Yes. All requests for Community Project Funding submitted by the Member to the committee for consideration must be publicly listed on that Member’s website, including the name and address of the requestor, the amount requested, and the justification for use of taxpayer funds no more than 20 days after requests are submitted.

How many Community Project Funding requests will the Congressman make?

I am limited to submitting 15 requests for Community Project Funding across the entire House Appropriations Committee for FY 2023.

Are there limitations on what Community Project Funding can be used for?

Yes. Federal Programs have very specific restrictions on how federal funds can be used. It is recommended that you closely examine this guide for references to eligible uses or limitations on use. Generally, funding cannot be used for debt service, recurring or routine expenses, reimbursement of costs, or projects that cannot demonstrate value to the community.

Can I request funding for “bricks and mortar”?

In general, no. One of the most common requests for funding is for building construction or renovation. Most appropriations accounts specifically prohibit this kind of project given the high demand.

There are some exceptions to this rule, including the Economic Development Initiative under the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and certain projects under the Military Construction Subcommittee, etc.

Should I submit my request to both my U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators?

Yes. It is strongly recommended that you submit your request to all of your federal representatives.

How much should I request?

It depends on the account from which you are requesting funds. You should request the amount you need and can realistically use in the time frame laid out for use in the grant (generally one year from when funds are received.) Receiving funds from Community Project Funding in one Fiscal Year is not a guarantee for Community Project Funding in future Fiscal Years. You should only use last year’s funding data as general information, and should not be dissuaded from requesting an amount larger than average for the account you’re requesting for. You should not, though, request more funds than you need or that can be realistically spent in the Fiscal Year for which you receive the funds. Many accounts have information from the committee on the maximum level of funding that will be considered.

How should I determine how much funding to request?

The level of funding request should be justified by the project proposal, budget plan, and community support. Data on the range of projects can be found in this guide, though you should request what you can realistically use and spend in the Fiscal Year of award. In FY 22, the committee awarded well outlined and high quality projects with the requested amount generally.

A helpful indication may be to look at what a typical grantee may receive for a one-year allocation of funding for the specific program you are interested in requesting a Community Project Funding request for.

Is there a minimum amount one should request for Community Project Funding?

No, there is no minimum amount of funding to request.

What if I do not know the appropriate Account or Agency for my project request?

This guide has been prepared to outline information on available accounts. Requestors should use this guide to identify the appropriate account to identify one that meets the needs of your project or organization. Please call my office if you need additional information.

If my project is funded, will I receive the full amount I request?

There is no guarantee that an approved Community Project Funding request will be funded at the requested level. In FY22, most projects were funded at the requested level, though we expect that could change. Please keep this in mind when requesting support for your project.

Do I need letters of support?

Yes. The more community support for a project, the better. As listed above, letters of support from local, municipal, and state elected officials and stakeholders, as well as editorials and articles in local newspapers on the importance and necessity of the project are all important.

I submitted a request. Will it be approved? When will I know?

The FY 2023 Community Project Funding process is extremely targeted and this process is also very competitive. While my team will look at all requests, it is strongly recommended you explore other grant and funding sources as well.

Many subcommittee deadlines were in mid-April for FY 2022. In order for my team and I to properly examine all requests, my office’s deadline will be in the Spring. A firmer deadline will be established soon.

The House Appropriations bills are typically considered in the late spring, with the Senate considering bills in late spring and over the summer. The House and Senate have to convene a “conference committee” to work out the differences in each of those bills.

The Committee requires all members to publicly disclose and post their final requests to the Appropriations Committee once the requests are made. Please remember, even if your project is supported in the House and/or Senate Appropriations bills, the funding level is subject to change until the final bill is signed into law.

This process can be long, but my team and I will be sure to keep all projects apprised of their status.

If my Community Project Funding request is granted, what is the process for getting the assistance and how quickly will I receive it?

In general, recipients of Community Project Funding will be contacted by the appropriate agency or office that oversees the account from which your project received funding. This cannot happen until the appropriations bill in which your project was listed is signed into law. The timing varies between departments and agencies – some may start the process within several weeks, others may take several months after the bill’s enactment into law.

In most cases, you will have to complete and submit a grant application outlining the project’s goals, cost estimates and other requirements. You will work with a program or contract officer to complete these steps; they may have questions or additional requirements that could affect the timing of the obligations or outlay of funding to your organization.

The process of accessing funding and the time it takes to complete the necessary steps, surprises many recipients who expect the money to be provided immediately.

Please be sure to take this into account when submitting a request.

Can I depend on receiving Community Project Funding for the same project more than once?

Generally, no. Most successful requests are one‐time infusions of funding, generally used to launch a project or partially contribute towards the total cost of a project.

Given the limitations on the appropriations process for Community Project Funding, there is no guarantee that Congress will support a project for more than one year. However, you should discuss the needs of your project with your Congressional sponsor(s) if you believe that federal support will be needed beyond a single fiscal year.

Can funds from the American Rescue Plan for State/Local Government Relief be used for the non-federal match component of Community Project Funding?

Our office anticipates guidance from the Department of Treasury to address this question. In the CARES Act, state and local funding was eligible to pay for the non-federal share of a narrow set of Stafford Act costs related to FEMA.

Are all non-profits eligible?

501(c)(3)’s are eligible for Community Project Funding. Some 501(c)(6)’s may be eligible on a case by case basis. These include Chambers of Commerce, Farm Bureau’s, or Veterans Service Organizations.

What is the anticipated timing for disbursement of Community Project Funding relative to passage of the legislation?

When Community Project Funding is secured in the final spending bill, this will create a grant program for which the requester is the only eligible applicant. The requester will need to apply for the grant that is their Community Project Funding before funds will be disbursed. In terms of timeline, this will vary by federal department/agency as this will be a new process to implement. For context, regular grants usually take between 6-10 months.

Does Fiscal Year 2023 refer to the federal fiscal year or the state fiscal year?

This refers to the Federal Fiscal Year; Fiscal Year 2023 begins on October 1, 2022. Many states have a fiscal year that begins in July. It is not an issue if the state FY 2024 overlaps with federal FY 2023.

If the FY23 spending bill isn’t finalized until much later (i.e. December 2022), will Community Project Funding requests still need to be fully obligated and spent by September 30, 2023, or will they have 12 months after enactment to obligate funds?

The question on our Community Project Funding form regarding 12 months is primarily for planning purposes and to assess whether the recipient is ready to access the funds. If approved, Community Project Funding will be available for the same “period of availability” as other federal funds in the same account. That could be for one-year, two-years, or five-years depending on the project type.

Will Community Project Funding be taken from the overall funding pot for specific agencies?

As of now, the House Appropriations Committee does not have an overall funding level for discretionary spending for FY 2023. However, no more than 1% of discretionary spending will be allocated to fund all Community Project Funding.

What limitations are there on non-federal matching funds? Can this come from private donations or is it limited to state and local funding sources? Would in-kind matches be determined at the programmatic level or is there a general rule?

Some programs allow for in-kind matches. The criteria differ based on what the laws for each agency and program allows.

If a non-profit did a membership campaign or donation drive and is able to show the number of donors, as well as that donors were predominantly local residents, would that be considered acceptable community support?

The House Appropriations Committee has recommended publicly available documents such as letters from community leaders, press articles, resolutions passed by local governments, and public planning documents.

Are capital projects eligible for Community Project Funding?

In certain cases, yes. This guide outlines which programs do and don’t include capital funding.

Is there a preference for programmatic funding or Community Project Funding?

There is no preference, but the distinction between the two should help guide whether your request is programmatic in nature or a Community Project Funding request. Community Project Funding is for a specific governmental entity or non-profit to carry out a specific program or project in the spending bill at a specified level.

Can Community Project Funding be used for payroll and other operating expenses?

No. Community Project Funding is intended as a one-time infusion of resources to move a project forward that benefits the community, and using it for operating expenses would potentially create a budgeting cliff. There’s no guarantee that if one receives Community Project Funding in one fiscal year that there will be subsequent funding in later fiscal years for the same project.

When will we hear back about our request?

This will be a long and competitive process. First, my office will publicly post the requested Community Project Funding requests I will submit to the House Appropriations Committee. Then, the House Appropriations Committee will review and finalize a list of Community Project Funding requests from across the country to be included in the FY 23 House spending bill, which is expected to pass the House in the late summer. Any differences between the House and Senate Appropriations bills will need to be resolved in the early fall before passing and enacting a final spending bill for FY 23.

Other Federal Funding Resources

The Community Project Funding process is highly competitive, and while there are many worthy projects that deserve support, funding limitations prevent many from receiving funding through the Congressional appropriations process. However, it is important to note that Community Project Funding represents only a small fraction of the discretionary funding available through competitive grants, loans, and other opportunities.

Below are a number of useful resources to explore other federal funding opportunities. Each Congressional office has staff dedicated to assisting organizations with seeking and applying for grants; you are strongly encouraged to contact your Congressional representatives to discuss how you can access any assistance from your federal elected officials.

Key Resources

Grants.gov

Looking for other federal funding opportunities? At Grants.gov, organizations can search and apply for competitive grants from 26 different federal agencies. Grants can be searched by agency, type of applicants, intended purposes, and more.

SAM.gov

The official U.S. government website for people who make, receive, and manage federal awards.

GovLoans.gov

Interested in finding out which loans or benefits you may be eligible for? Here you can learn more about federal loans, determine which loans may be right for you, and more.

Benefits.gov

This tool will help you figure out what government benefits you may be eligible for. It also provides information on how to apply for these programs.

USA.gov

The official guide to US Government Information and Services.

This section will be updated with more information at a later date.

Feedback

I hope this guide is helpful to you in compiling your Community Project Funding requests. My team has spent many hours putting our process and this guide together. Your feedback is essential to ensuring that this guide and process remain user-friendly. Please share any feedback you have with my staff.

Thank you.