The non-federal match requirement was formalized in the Head Start Act, first enacted in 1981 (Public Law 97-35) and reauthorized multiple times since.
DFSS currently requires contribute at least 33% of the total program costs from non-federal sources, such as:
- Volunteer services.
- Donated goods and facilities.
- Cash contributions from local governments or organizations.
- ECBG is an example
The non-federal match requirement was intended to:
- Demonstrate local investment: Ensuring communities have a vested interest in the program’s success.
- Stretch federal dollars: Maximizing the reach and impact of federal funding by leveraging additional local resources.