Most Americans still think of government funding as a favor: more like a well-connected member of Congress, a handshake that secures the check, or a last-minute addition. That system already ended in 2011. The banned earmarks forced government affairs to rebuild itself around agencies, applications, and data-backed decisions.
The end of earmarks didn’t mean the end of funding. Funding has doubled since the ban, and formula grants to states now exceed $1.1 trillion a year, which is more than twice their pre-ban levels. The opportunity is still there; you just need to know how to compete for it.
Shepherd Strategies broke down that shift in “After the Earmark.” The result is an 11-rule framework that helps organizations move beyond outdated funding strategies and navigate the systems to win it the way it actually works today.
Rule 01
Follow the Money to Its Source
Not every funding opportunity starts with a federal agency in Washington. Some organizations apply directly to federal agencies, while others access funding as it flows through states, counties, or local governments.
Your success depends on understanding which route aligns with your goals and not on having connections on Capitol Hill. Many agencies now control most funding decisions through established programs and eligibility requirements.
Rule 02
Read Budgets and Not Rooms
There was a time when success in government affairs meant knowing the right people and being in the right room.
But winning funding today requires mastering budgets, registrations, and application requirements. The paperwork isn’t a hurdle to funding anymore. It is the funding process.
Rule 03
Work Across the Aisle Every Time
Nowadays, winning financing requires looking beyond party politics. Agencies and public officials across all governmental levels assist in deciding how funds are allocated when they are appropriated.
That’s why a bipartisan approach is no longer just a good practice but important for navigating the funding process and building support.
Rule 04
Watch Regulations Like They’re Legislation
While fewer laws are being passed by Congress, the number of federal regulations is still growing. More than a million restrictive rules have been introduced to the Code of Federal Regulations over the past decade.
This increase is a sign of a larger change: rules are important in managing government funds. Ignoring regulatory criteria only makes the application weaker, because it can determine whether it’s eligible in the first place.
Rule 05
Hire a Good Decision Maker Specialist
Agency reviewers look for applications that speak directly with a clear understanding of their program’s goals and requirements. That involves subject-matter ability as well as familiarity with government procedures.
Working with experts who are knowledgeable about the industry, funding program, and agency goals increases an organization’s chances of success.
Rule 06
Know What You Can Actually Win
The strongest funding strategy begins with self-awareness. Agency reviewers will do the same. By focusing on chances you are well-positioned to win, a realistic evaluation helps you avoid wasting time and eventually establish confidence and credibility with authorities.
Rule 07
Never Show Up Without an Ask
Meetings alone do not move the funding forward. Every interaction with government employees or authorities requires a specific request, a well-defined objective, and supporting facts.
Access without a reason is merely a calendar invite, and it wastes goodwill that could have been utilized in a more targeted request.
Rule 08
Make Compliance Non-Negotiable
Documentation, transparency, and accountability are important requirements. These things dictate whether a funding relationship can withstand examination.
Therefore, before pursuing government funding, make sure that state, local, and federal records are all up to date and accurate. Many funding setbacks are not caused by competition, but by preventable compliance mistakes.
Rule 09
Pursue the “Art of the Possible”
Don’t wait for new funding to appear. Find the funding that already exists and focus on applying for it, while keeping the term “art of the possible” in mind. This means matching effort and opportunity between getting funding for a project and wasting resources on an initiative that drains it all.
Rule 10
Set a Timeline Rooted in Reality
A business’s timeline is not always followed by government funding. The fastest rate at which decisions are made can be influenced by agency processes, current events, and public priorities.
Understanding the timeline early prevents organizations from wasting resources and opportunities that may no longer align with their objectives.
Rule 11
Combine Data With Relationships
The most effective approach combines two essential elements: market intelligence that identifies real funding opportunities and strong government relationships that help move those opportunities forward.
Market data identifies the path, while government relationships help organizations navigate it. The strongest firms use both together.
Putting the Framework Into Practice
How Shepherd Strategies Puts These Rules to Work
Rules are only useful when an organization applies them. Shepherd Strategies has spent the past decade doing exactly that, turning the post-earmark shift into data-driven growth opportunities for clients instead of a roadblock.
In a world of sheep and wolves, that is the role Shepherd plays. We protect businesses, nonprofits, and government partners from outdated strategies built for an industry that no longer operates the way it used to.
Before committing to a costly, long-term lobbying plan, Shepherd Strategies offers a free 30-day market assessment of your government funding opportunities. It is a chance to see where real funding exists for your organization, backed by data, before spending a dollar on a strategy that belongs to a different era of government affairs.
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