The most controversial means of government’s distribution of wealth is through member items, also known as special appropriations or earmarks. Typically, a member of a legislature (from the U.S. Congress to your local city council, and mayors and other executives, too) adds an appropriation for your charity to a bill that’s under consideration. Depending on his or her influence and the other machinations that go on in any legislature, this might get approved along with the bill.

These special allocations are common enough that your legislator probably has forms for you to complete and a staff member who deals with them. In addition to a short questionnaire, you’ll probably be asked for a summary of the project and maybe a budget.

Although large capital projects get funded this way, many community groups depend on these appropriations from city and state officials to survive.

Naturally, it will help if someone at your charity knows a legislator really well to get attention for this kind of action. Be aware that when you seek a member item appropriation, you might be circumventing the government agency to which you normally would be applying. That agency might not be too thrilled that your appropriation could lead to a reduction in its own funding.

Elimination of earmarks has become a political cause of the moment because of some conspicuous abuses by a few federal legislators, but don’t feel you’re doing something underhanded by requesting an earmark. The U.S. Constitution gives citizens the right to petition Congress, and that’s exactly what requesting an earmark is all about. And remember—it’s your tax money you’re looking to get back!