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Public Policy
Congress is currently developing the nation's FY2008 federal budget and is actively working to improve the country's long-term fiscal health, promising to adhere to rules that will limit lawmakers’ ability to contribute to the federal deficit. Nonprofits must act now to ensure Congress takes into account the needs of our constituents and the charitable services upon which they rely as it completes the budget.
Learn about how you can get involved by visiting below our:
Below is a chart outlining the congressional budget approval process, including concrete moments when you can easily get involved and simple actions you can take. Remember, each year varies - Congress frequently modifies this schedule when it is unable to agree upon a joint budget resoution or appropriations legislation.
Federal Budget Process |
When Nonprofits Should Act,
What Nonprofits
Can Do |
On or by the first Monday in February, the President presents a budget proposal to Congress after the state of the union. The President's budget request includes proposed funding levels for discretionary and mandatory programs and changes to the tax code, as well as the level of deficit or surplus on which the government should run.
See the President's FY 2008 budget proposal. |
Federal departments begin considering their budgetary needs for the upcoming fiscal year during the summer months a year-and-a-half before the fiscal year begins. Federal agencies and departments submit their budget requests to the Office of Budget and Management in December and January prior to the release of the President's budget.
During the summer and fall before the Administration issues its budget, make your budget priorities known by submitting letters to and meeting with appropriate officials in the Office of the White House and relevant federal agencies.
See an example letter (PDF) from IS. |
Taking into consideration the President's budget request and their own priorities, the House and Senate Budget Committees each develop a budget resolution outlining how much the government must spend according to 19 broad categories or budget "functions," how much revenue the government must collect, and the level of deficit or surplus on which the government will run. In particular, the resolution determines the total level of discretionary funding that will be available for the upcoming fiscal year. The full Senate and House each approve their respective resolutions, before meeting in conference to agree on a single, joint resolution, which does not require the President's approval.
See a summary (PDF) of the Senate's FY08 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 21) from the Senate Budget Committee.
See a summary (PDF) of the House's FY08 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 99) from the House Budget Committee.
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Between February and April prior to consideration of the budget resolution, respond to the President's budget and make lawmakers aware of your funding priorities by submitting letters to your representatives and the leadership and targeted members of the House and Senate Budget Committees, and meeting with Budget Committee staff.
Also, during Congress' April recess, invite your elected officials to your nonprofit to show them why it is important that the government continue to invest in nonprofits and how government programs support and strengthen your communities. |
The Appropriations Committees of each chamber consist of 12 subcommittees and set allocations for each one based on the budget resolution. Following hearings, each Subcommittee drafts a bill proposing spending levels for the programs and agencies under its jurisdiction, adhering to the overall discretionary spending level set by the budget resolution. After passage by the Subcommittee, the bill is sent to the full Appropriations Committee for passage.
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Between April and June (or, at any time before the Appropriations Committees approve their spending bills), reach out to your representatives, Appropriations Committee leadership, targeted Appropriations Committee members, relevant Subcommittee leadership, and targeted Subcommittee members. |
Following passage by the Appropriations Committee, the individual appropriations bills are voted on separately in the House and Senate. After passage by their respective chambers, the bills are sent to a conference committee where the differences between the two chambers' bills are resolved.
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During the summer and early fall, keep up your outreach efforts to your representatives and other members of Congress to support or oppose the final bills or to recommend amendments that address your concerns. Take advantage of Congress' summer recess to invite your representatives and their staff to visit your nonprofit. |
The budget is enacted after the President has signed each individual appropriations bill. Congress must pass continuing resolutions to continue government operations if the budget has not been enacted into law by October 1, the start of each fiscal year.
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Following completion of the budget, whether a success or not, thank the lawmakers who championed the budget changes you requested. |
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1. Talk to Your Board of Directors
As nonprofits we rely upon our boards of directors to help develop our agendas. Make sure your board understands that federal budget decisions impact your nonprofit’s ability to achieve its mission, and work with your board members to integrate budget advocacy activities into your regular program.
In addition, we rely on our board members, many of whom are also from nonprofit organizations, to spread important messages. Urge your board members to make sure their organizations are taking action too.
2. Invite Your Members of Congress to Visit Your Nonprofit
Members of Congress will be at home on recess at various points during the 110th Congress. Invite your representatives to visit your nonprofit to show them what you do to improve lives and why it is important that you are able to continue achieving your mission.
See the Senate's 2007 legislative schedule. See the House's 2007 legislative calendar.
Visit the websites of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to look up the contact information of your elected officials.
3. Submit a Letter to the Editor or Op-Ed to Your State or Local Newspaper
Elected officials regularly monitor their state and local newspapers, particularly the opinion sections, to stay abreast of issues and concerns facing their constituents. Make known your interest in budget discussions by submitting a letter to the editor or an op-ed to your newspaper. Remember, the most effective opinion piece is one that emphasizes how your argument or issue impacts your state and community.
4. Submit Letters to the Budget and Appropriations Committees
If you rely on federal funding or if your constituents rely on government-funded programs, tell lawmakers on the Budget and Appropriations Committees what this funding enables you to do and how it improves the lives of your constituents. Send a letter to the leadership of the committees or, if one of your state's policymakers serves on either committee, make an even greater impact by sending a letter individually to him or her.
Visit the websites below to learn who serves on the Budget and Appropriations Committees and how to contact them:
5. Meet With Your Members of Congress and Their Staff
Also, make sure your representatives know how budget decisions impact your nonprofit and constituents by scheduling meetings with them or their staff, particularly at the key moments highlighted in our Budget Intervention Points. If one your state's policymakers serve on the Budget or Appropriations Committee, it is especially important that you reach out to him or her.
Visit the websites of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to look up the contact information of your elected officials.
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Last Updated: July 6, 2007
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