Federal funding programs can boost economic growth, improve individual quality of life, and strengthen community resiliency. As the COVID-19 pandemic showed, federal dollars are especially important in times of crisis, as the federal government has the unique ability to leverage abundant resources.

Whether you are a mother who is able to feed her children because of Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer, a small business owner who is able to keep staff as a result of the Paycheck Protection Program, or someone who lost their job but was able to avoid eviction thanks to Emergency Rental Assistance – everyone has benefited from public programs either directly or indirectly.

Federal funding programs help direct recipients, both individuals and institutions, meet their immediate needs and invest in long-term well-being. Indirect recipients of federal funding, like landlords and employers, benefit from federal funding when renters have greater access to financial assistance and workers have access to child care they need to keep working. Federal funding benefits everyone by providing the aid and support that families and communities need in times of crisis.

For many federal funding programs, state and local governments decide how dollars are spent, what goals are prioritized, and what outcomes result. Accessible, transparent information is essential to determine how effective federal funding is at achieving its intended purpose. The following framework can serve as a guide to help understand what impacts are delivered and sustained due to federal funding.