FY27 Community Project Funding Requests

Earlier this month, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), submitted our first 3 funding requests for important community projects in New York’s 14th Congressional District to the House Appropriations Committee for fiscal year 2027. 

Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request up to 20 projects in their community to be considered for fiscal year 2027 funding. Funding is restricted to a limited number of project categories, and only public and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the guidelines governing Community Project Funding can be found here.

Please note that all Community Project Funding submissions have not been finalized yet, and we will continue to update this webpage with additional projects.

The three selected projects are outlined below, along with an explanation of the Office’s selection process and criteria.

Outreach: To inform our funding requests, our office shared the opportunity with eligible entities and scheduled conversations with potential applicants to discuss possible projects and field questions.

Evaluation process: After our submission deadline, our office screened applications according to 1) community need 2) service to NY-14, and 3) eligibility according to committee guidance. We then had a short list of applications that team members scored against the following criteria: service to historically underserved communities, project justification, project feasibility, project sustainability, and alignment with the office's priorities. Project justification criteria included rationale, the significance of the proposed work, and whether it addresses the community's specific need(s). Multiple considerations went into determining feasibility criteria, such as an organization’s ability to manage federal funding, project detail and scope. Sustainability considerations included whether the project or its impact can be sustained locally beyond the funds period, if results warrant.

With input from the Congresswoman and subcommittee staff, we arrived at the three projects listed below. 

Compliance: 

In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has certified that she, her partner, and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the requested projects.

The following 3 projects were submitted:

  1. Archdiocese of New York’s Drug Abuse Prevention Program - Community Substances Use Prevention Expansion

Throgs Neck

The Archdiocese of New York’s Drug Abuse Prevention Program (ADAPP) requests $70,128 for their Community Substances Use Prevention Expansion project. This funding will expand the capacity and reach of their proven community coalition model, working with local schools, youth organizations, businesses, and local law enforcement to prevent and reduce substance use among youth in the Bronx. Funds will specifically allow ADAPP to develop, produce, and disseminate youth-relevant educational materials and curricula and conduct anti-substance abuse training programs for youth, parents, and local businesses.

Member certification of no financial interest and federal nexus can be found here.

  1. NYC Dept. of Youth and Community Development - Recidivism Prevention and Re-Entry Services at Rikers Island

Rikers Island

The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development requests $900,000 in funding for targeted development and expansion of violence prevention, mentorship, and anti-recidivism programming at Rikers Island. These investments strengthen credible messenger-led interventions, expand culturally responsive services, and build the capacity of community partners to support rehabilitation and successful reentry. Together, these investments reduce violence and build long-term community safety.

Member certification of no financial interest and federal nexus can be found here.

  1. NYC ENDGBV - Expansion of Coordinated Approach to Prevent Stalking (CAPS) Initiative

Queens, NY

The Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence requests $1,050,000 to build on and enhance our Coordinated Approach to Preventing Stalking (CAPS) work to deliver ongoing robust training to law enforcement partners citywide, facilitate cross-community and interagency coordination on this issue, raise public awareness about this lethality indicator and other lethality indicators, like strangulation, through a robust educational programming, and develop a specialized and innovative survivor services program to better meet the unique needs of stalking survivors.

Member certification of no financial interest and federal nexus can be found here.