AFP Complimentary Members-Only Webinar: Congressionally Directed Spending

When:  Jan 30, 2025 from 01:00 PM to 02:00 PM (ET)

1:00-2:00 PM Eastern | Presenter: Sally Schaeffer

This professional development webinar hosted by AFP’s contract lobbyist, Sally Schaeffer, will provide an overview of Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) (formerly known as “earmarks”), including what they are, how to apply, and strategies to help with success. For the past three years, Members of Congress can now request funding directly for a local government or nonprofit for a specific project that generally would otherwise have been left to federal agencies’ discretion. The total amount going to nonprofits is over $2 billion per year with the average award being $1 million. Funding can be used for construction/renovation projects or programming. 

Join us for this complimentary members-only webinar to learn more.


Presenter:  Sally Schaeffer

Bringing nearly 25 years of experience, Sally Schaeffer is founder and owner of Uncorked Advocates, a bipartisan federal government relations firm started in 2017. Among her current clients are some of the largest nonprofits and philanthropic associations in the country, including Association of Fundraising Professionals, American Heart Association, YWCA USA, Covenant House International, United Philanthropy Forum, and Prevent Child Abuse America. On behalf of American Heart Association, she helped to coordinate a national coalition of 60 nonprofits in support of the Legacy IRA Act, which passed into law in December 2022.

Previous to starting her own firm, Sally represented more than 500 nonprofits and foundations as the Government Relations Director at Independent Sector. She also served as the Washington advocate for Girls Scouts of the USA. Sally started her career on Capitol Hill working for former Rep. Louise Slaughter as her Legislative Director and then Chief of Staff.

Ms. Schaeffer holds a B.A. in Political Science from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland and a Master’s in Public Administration from the Fel’s School of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.

Sally is the past President of the nonpartisan Women’s Congressional Golf Association, and member of Women in Government Relations. She was named by The Hill as a Top Lobbyist for 2021 and 2022 and also named Top 100 Lobbyist in 2022 by The National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics.