Published On: January 28, 20264.7 min read936 words

Earmarks are one-time federal funds for state, local, and tribal government entities and eligible nonprofits to carry out a specific project. U.S. Members of Congress (lawmakers) request these funds on behalf of projects in their state or district.

In the Senate, earmarks are called Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS). In the House, they are called Community Project Funding (CPF). “Earmarks” is a colloquial term that can refer to CDS and/or CPF.

  • What can earmarks fund?

Earmarks can fund a wide variety of one-time projects for state, local, and tribal governments and eligible nonprofits, covering a broad range of eligible activities which are specified every year by House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Historically, earmarks have been able to fund infrastructure, education, mental health services, and community development.

  • How much is earmark funding for?

Earmark funding ranges depending on the scope of the project—anywhere from a few hundred thousand dollars to several million.

Current Status for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Earmarks

Congress has not released guidance or deadlines for the upcoming FY 2027 earmarks process yet. Even still, we recommend that providers reach out to their lawmakers starting now​​ to inquire about earmarks and put your project on their radar. Once the earmarks process begins, application deadlines are usually in March or April, so it is important to get a head start on the process while we wait for more specific guidance from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

Recommendation

Earmark funding isn’t a single pot of money—Congress designates it through multiple federal agencies and offices, each with its own “accounts.” When submitting an earmark request, your proposed project must align with one of these accounts. Congress will release guidance on what accounts will be funded for the FY 2027 earmarks process once they finish FY 2026 appropriations.

Deadlines and Applications

Earmark application deadlines are first set by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Since Congress is still finishing the FY 2026 appropriations process, they have not set deadlines for the upcoming FY 2027 appropriations process or earmarks yet. However, typically lawmakers open the earmark application portals on their websites in January or February and close them by March or April.

Recommendation

Reach out directly to your lawmaker’s office as soon as possible to inquire about deadlines and put your project request on their radar. If you need contact information for your lawmaker’s staff, please email trinady.maddock@nn4youth.org.

Typical Process and Timeline for Earmark Funding

  • 1. Request earmark funding from your lawmaker.

1.1 At least six months before the application deadline (the longer before the better)​​​​ Build relationships with your lawmaker and their staff.

1.2 January​​​ Email to your lawmaker’s staff expressing your interest in an earmark, asking for more information about the process, when the deadline will be, etc. Be persistent!

1.3 January-March​​ Invite the lawmaker and their staff for virtual or in-person meetings to talk about your project.

1.4 April​ Most applications are due (but make sure you check, because some offices have different deadlines). Applications can be found on your lawmakers’ websites.

If your lawmaker accepts your funding request, it will move on to the appropriations review process.

  • 2. Funding request from your lawmaker is reviewed in the appropriations process.

2.1 Spring-Summer​​​ The Senate or House Appropriations Committee will vet projects based on eligibility, whether it is too controversial, etc.

2.2 Spring-Summer​​ The Senate or House Appropriations Committee and the relevant subcommittees will review the appropriations bills, along with requested project funding, through their markup processes.

2.3 Fall (and sometimes into Winter)​ The Senate and House must negotiate each chamber’s appropriations bills to make sure they are the same before sending them to the President to sign into law.

If your project is approved in the appropriations process, you’ll be referred to the federal agency that will pay out your earmark.

  • 3. Funding request is referred to the relevant federal agency.

You will work closely with the federal agency that is paying out your earmark to finalize the project and get paid. Note that applying for and receiving an earmark can be a long process—expect it to take at least a year, if not closer to two or three.

Resources

FY 2027 Earmarks: Secure Funding to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness

Date​​​ Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time​ 2:00 – 3:00 PM Eastern (1:00 PM Central, 12:00 PM Mountain, 11:00 AM Pacific)

Join us to get prepared to pursue a Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 federal earmark! Earmark funding, also known as Community Project Funding or Congressionally Directed Spending, are one-time funds available to community-based organizations and schools for specific projects or programs.

This webinar will feature youth homelessness providers who have secured earmark funding. They will talk about the process and share practical advice for how to submit a strong earmark application.

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