Join us for a free 60-minute webinar on Appropriations 101: How Federal Programs Get Funded.

Congress’s appropriations process determines how much funding federal programs—from education and health to housing, defense, and beyond—receive each year. Yet the appropriations process and law are often misunderstood, even by experienced grant recipients and policymakers.

This webinar will break down the essentials of appropriations law, including:

• “Authorizations” v. “Appropriations” – how they differ and why that matters for your programs

• The 12 annual appropriations bills and how they fund agencies across government

• Key terms like “mandatory” vs. “discretionary” spending, continuing resolutions, and omnibus bills

• How appropriations riders and general provisions shape program implementation

This session will be led by Paul Riddle, a Senior Advisor with Sligo Law Group. Paul served the U.S. Department of Education for 47 years, including 20 years as the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation, before retiring in January 2025. While at ED, he supervised the drafting and analysis of legislation for the full range of ED’s programs and interests and worked closely with both political and career staff in all ED offices, the White House (including the Office of Management and Budget), and congressional staff.

This session is designed for a broad audience: state and local officials, nonprofits, higher education institutions, policy professionals, and organizations that rely on federal funding.