ASSOCIATION ADVOCACY
They USED TO BE CALLED EARMARKS
Congressionally Directed Spending &
Community Project Funding
Congress distributed $14.3 billion in Senate “Congressionally Directed Spending” and House “Community Project Funding”. APGA members received $750,000.
Start conversations and build relationships to help your public garden access this potential source of revenue.
Here are some 2026 examples of projects that were funded by this Congressional spending in FY2026.
FISCAL YEAR 2026 member EXAMPLE
Imagine a world where everyone who lived in cities knew local nature from daily, personal experience. Their houses and businesses weren’t flooded because we gave the water some place to go, streams and ponds flowing through neighborhoods. Imagine our neighborhoods were cooler because of the shading and evaporative cooling that plants and open waters provide. Cities that work with nature instead of against it would good places to live, for residents enjoying green, ecologically democratized, and beautiful precincts where they avail themselves of good jobs, good friends, and the opportunity to live their best lives on their own terms, which, not incidentally, also help to mitigate climate change.
Received $750,000 in FY2026 from requests by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY 15)
FISCAL YEAR 2026 Garden related projects
Effective earmark (Congressionally Directed Spending) best practices require early engagement with congressional offices, demonstrating robust community support, and ensuring strict compliance with transparency rules. Projects should be “shovel-ready,” clearly defined, and align with eligible federal accounts.
- Early Preparation & Outreach: Engage with your Representative and Senators’ staff months before the deadline to build relationships and outline your project, often in January or February.
- Demonstrate Community Support: Show that the project has widespread backing, such as community letters, local government resolutions, and stakeholder endorsements.
- Ensure “Shovel-Ready” Status: Projects should be ready to proceed, with a clear project scope, timeline, and cost estimate. This includes detailing how the money will be spent (e.g., equipment, salaries).
- Transparency and Compliance: Be prepared to provide evidence of nonprofit status (if applicable) and comply with all disclosure requirements, including certifying no financial interest in the project.
- Identify Eligible Accounts: Align your project with specific federal funding accounts allowed by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, as outlined on the POPVOX Foundation site.
- Provide Detailed Justification: Create a short (under 250 words) but specific description of the project’s purpose and impact, as detailed in the Senate Appropriations Committee guidelines.
- Strategic Planning: Use data and analytics to show the project’s impact, ensuring the request aligns with the member’s priorities for their district.
