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  Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »

  Increase use of matching funds for federal grants

  The overwhelming majority of grants given by Federal Agencies are in outright funds. If a percentage of every federal grant (say a minimum of 15%) had to be matching funds then the actual amount of federal grant dollars could be significantly reduced. For instance, if total project cost is $100,000, the grantee could ask for $40,000 in outright funds, $30,000 in federal matching (they would then raise the other $30,000 ...more »

  The overwhelming majority of grants given by Federal Agencies are in outright funds. If a percentage of every federal grant (say a minimum of 15%) had to be matching funds then the actual amount of federal grant dollars could be significantly reduced. For instance, if total project cost is $100,000, the grantee could ask for $40,000 in outright funds, $30,000 in federal matching (they would then raise the other $30,000 from a third party or they would forfeit that other $30,000). The requirement of matching funds would reduce total federal grant amounts (but not the actual funds available for each project), encourage grantees to diversify their pool of potential funders, and also vet projects in the marketplace.

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  1 comment for Idea: Increase use of matching funds for federal grants

  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  19 votes

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  Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »

  Reduce number of political appointees (and must be qualified)

  The number of political appointees should be greatly reduced. It's now about 4,000; it should be reduced to about 2,000 tops. Appointees may be well-meaning, but they are rarely qualified. And to insure that they are qualified, they have to be vetted by the agency. (So if someone goes to work at DoE, they must know something about energy policy--not just think it's an important issue or if they go to work at Interior, ...more »

  The number of political appointees should be greatly reduced. It's now about 4,000; it should be reduced to about 2,000 tops. Appointees may be well-meaning, but they are rarely qualified. And to insure that they are qualified, they have to be vetted by the agency. (So if someone goes to work at DoE, they must know something about energy policy--not just think it's an important issue or if they go to work at Interior, loving National Parks is not enough).

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  Add your comment for Idea: Reduce number of political appointees (and must be qualified)

  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  56 votes

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  Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »

  Eliminate Agency Magazines

  Nearly every agency prints their own magazine (Interior Department must have 6 magazines). These are usually nothing more than a slick pr piece touting the agency's works. All this info should just be put up on the agency's website--both to save printing costs and staff time for the magazine.

  5 comments for Idea: Eliminate Agency Magazines

  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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