Federal Appropriations & Community Project Funding: What You Need to Know

Each year, Members of Congress have the opportunity to direct federal funding to specific projects in their districts; nonprofits are among the most eligible and competitive applicants. Most of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation has now opened their FY 2027 request portals, but the application windows are short.

Nationally, roughly 32 percent of nonprofit revenue comes from government grants and contracts. In Pennsylvania, that figure is even higher for organizations working in human services, healthcare, housing, and workforce development. When Congress acts — or fails to act — on appropriations, the ripple effects reach directly into the communities Pennsylvania nonprofits serve.

What Is Community Project Funding?

Community Project Funding (CPF) — sometimes called Congressionally Directed Spending, or historically, “earmarks” — is a mechanism that allows individual Members of Congress to request that a specific amount of federal money be directed to a specific project in their district. Rather than competing in a traditional open grant process, a nonprofit’s project is championed directly by its Member of Congress.

Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, local governments, municipalities, and community institutions such as libraries, hospitals, and community colleges. Projects must demonstrate a clear public benefit and cannot directly benefit a private, for-profit entity. Funding typically ranges from $250,000 to $3 million, though the exact range varies by Member and appropriations subcommittee.

The types of projects most commonly funded include capital improvements and facility construction or renovation, equipment purchases for community benefit, workforce development and job training programs, public safety and infrastructure investments, and community economic development initiatives. CPF is particularly useful for projects that do not fit neatly into traditional competitive federal grant programs.

The Timeline

Understanding the CPF timeline helps nonprofits plan realistically. The process is long, and there are no guarantees at any stage.

• Members of Congress open their CPF request portals each spring (for the following fiscal year). Most PA Members have opened their FY 2027 portals now, with deadlines in early-to-mid March 2026.
• Members review submissions and select a limited number of projects to formally request — a highly competitive internal step. Selected projects are publicly disclosed.
• The House and Senate pass their respective versions of the bill. A conference process reconciles differences. Final passage and Presidential signature must occur before October 1 (the start of FY 2027).
• Once a bill is enacted, the relevant federal agency processes and awards funds. Depending on the agency and program type, this can take additional months. FY 2027 funds requested now may realistically not be available until mid-to-late 2027 or beyond.

This is not fast money. CPF is best suited for capital and long-term projects where organizations can plan around a multi-year timeline. That said, a successful CPF award can be transformational — and simply building the relationship with your Member’s office through this process has long-term advocacy value.

What to Expect When Applying

Each Member of Congress runs their own CPF process, so requirements vary by office. Most applications will ask for a concise project description explaining what will be done, who benefits, and how federal funds will be used; a project budget that includes the total project cost, the federal request amount, and any matching or leveraged funds; evidence of community need and public benefit; and at least three letters of support from community partners, local officials, or stakeholders. Most offices also request recent financial statements or your organization’s IRS Form 990.

Applications are submitted through your Member’s website or a linked online form. Turnaround times are typically just seven to ten days, so organizations should begin gathering materials immediately. The table below includes direct links and deadlines for each member of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation.

Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation: FY 2027 CPF Portals

The table below reflects the current status of FY 2027 Community Project Funding portals for Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation. Several offices are handling requests through direct staff contact — if marked “Request from Staff,” reach out to your Member’s district office directly. Deadlines marked TBD had not been announced at time of publication.

Don’t know your district? Find your representative at https://www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator.