The upcoming elections will have strategic implications on federal funding opportunities. During the 2024 ICMA Annual Conference session, Riding Washington's Waves: A Playbook for Securing Federal Funding in an Election Year and Beyond, Heidi Schott, TFG grants principal, and Zachary Israel, TFG advocacy principal and manager of legislative affairs, discussed a holistic approach to navigating grants and community project funding.

While giving invaluable insights into securing resources to meet their communities' needs, enhancing project readiness, and securing comprehensive federal support through a well-crafted and adaptable funding strategy, the session offered specific insights into navigating federal funding opportunities, particularly during the shifting landscape of an election year.

A few challenges or delays that might be encountered when applying for or waiting for grants during an election year can be affected by:

• Realigning programs for the new administration: Realigning a proposal to better reflect the incoming administration’s goals may have a better chance of approval.
• Election outcomes: A change in administration can cause delays or the cutting of certain programs.
• Reduction of existing programs: The amount of funding is dependent on the beginning or expansion of others.
• New grant programs: Submission of new grant proposal that better align with the incoming administrations’ goals may have a better chance of approval
• Reallocating funds: New programs that arise may divert funds away from other programs.
• Remembering that implementation of multi-year grants will take at least a year and current terms that do not change for that time are still subject to reviews.
• Knowing how to stay the course and keep applying, realigning your proposal with available resources for a better chance of success.
• Expecting and dealing with delays because of new staff coming on board.
• The importance of continuing to communicate with your funding rep as an awardee, to keep abreast of the policy changes.

By following helpful hints, navigating federal funding opportunities can be a smoother process, free of delays and pushback.