Federal Funding

TFG devises and implements innovative strategies for appropriations and authorizations and builds on our successes from year to year. Over the course of our history representing local communities in Washington D.C., we have secured tens of billions of dollars in direct appropriations and project authorizations for our clients. Our work on federal funding issues encompasses supporting funding requests for federal programs and projects that benefit our clients as well as pursuing authorizations for specific client projects. We foster our clients' projects through every step of the process, from project conception to construction. Today, we rank as one of the top federal funding and competitive grants lobbying firms in Washington D.C. representing public agencies.

Why Choose TFG?

  • Program and funding expertise
  • Competitive edge
  • Masters of the federal budget and appropriations processes
  • Leaders of innovative financing
  • Decades of success in securing program and project authorizations for water, transportation, and other critical infrastructure sectors

Case Studies

Project Authorizations

TFG has worked on every Water Resources Development Act and highway transportation authorization bill advocating for specific client project authorizations as well as supporting overall funding levels for key federal programs of importance to local communities. In addition, we have successfully worked with our clients to pass standalone legislation to create federal authority for their specific projects or to revise current federal authorizations. These project authorizations have led to partnerships with our clients and federal agencies such as the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Energy.

Transportation Infrastructure Financing

After securing $265 million for several lines of credit that enabled one of our clients to build two phases of a toll road, TFG led a lobbying effort that established a new, innovative financing provision for the client. The provision enabled the agency to build a third phase of the toll road and became the basis for the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) chapter in TEA–21. TIFIA is still used today by local transportation agencies and extends special financing benefits to communities nationwide.

Title XVI WaterSmart Funding

TFG has helped several public agencies secure tens of millions of dollars in funding through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART grant program and Title XVI, Water Reclamation and Reuse Program. TFG also worked to secure a change in administration policy to double the maximum size of Title XVI construction grants from $2 million to $4 million and raise the ceiling on Title XVI study grants from $150,000 to $450,000. This change increased the overall amount of funding local communities can receive under the Title XVI program.

Services & Issue Areas of Expertise

Transportation

Transportation

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Broadband & Telecommunications

Broadband & Telecommunications

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Economic & Community Development/Housing

Economic & Community Development/Housing

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Environment & Sustainability

Environment & Sustainability

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Health Care & Social Services

Health Care & Social Services

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Public Safety

Public Safety

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Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

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Flood Issues

Flood Issues

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Water Resources

Water Resources

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US Congressional Calendar

Alex Yiannoutsos

TFG President and CEO Share Federal Funding Insights at California Water Resources Roundtables

Roger Gwinn and Mark Limbaugh discussed federal funding available for western water priorities at the annual ACWA Conference and Virtual Roundtable.

SACRAMENTO, CA. – Roger Gwinn, The Ferguson Group (TFG) CEO, and Mark Limbaugh, TFG President, presented at the Association of Water Administrators (ACWA) roundtables: in May, the 2022 Spring Conference “Accessing Federal Funding” and in June, the Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Federal Funding. Mr. Gwinn and President Limbaugh shared key insights with water and waste water providers on federal funding opportunities available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of the Interior – Bureau of Reclamation. Additionally, they provided information on funding available to stakeholders in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021) and best practices to access these programs.

“I was pleased to join this year’s federal funding roundtable discussions to discuss USDA water programs and other available federal funding opportunities,” said Roger Gwinn. “The federal investment in drinking, waste, and habitat water resources is vital to strengthen communities across California and the Western United States. The knowledge participants gained from these roundtables will make them more competitive applicants for the federal resources they need to achieve their communities’ water goals.”

“These roundtables couldn’t have come at a better time with California entering its third year of drought,” said Mark Limbaugh. “I enjoyed discussing available federal funding from the Department of the Interior – Bureau of Reclamation Programs with participants. There are billions of dollars available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law alone to improve water efficiency efforts that could have a lasting positive impact in California.”

The ACWA Spring Conference and Exhibition brings together a wide array of California water stakeholders to learn about a variety of local, statewide, and federal water issues and to connect with fellow members of the California water community for insights into best practices. Due to the event’s popularity, the “Accessing Federal Funding” roundtable was added to build upon lessons learned during the Conference.

Mr. Gwinn and Mr. Limbaugh each have over two decades of water resources and federal funding experience. Mr. Gwinn leads the TFG’s representation of large-scale, regional water resources, environmental protection, and economic development initiatives. Mr. Limbaugh specializes in strategic policy and legislative guidance to clients on water, irrigation, energy, and natural resource management issues. He previously served as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior. Mark also served more than three years as Deputy Commissioner for External and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Bureau of Reclamation.

For more information about TFG, please visit our website at www.thefergusongroup.com.

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Latest TFG News

27 March 2026

SS4A Program Now Open!

HOT GRANT ALERT

The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened the FY 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program, with approximately $993.5 million available. Applications are due May 26, 2026. We wanted to make sure you had the details in case this aligns with work your organization is currently planning or pursuing.

A summary of the program is below, along with a link to our full TFG Profile Summary for additional detail.

Meet a Team Member

Elizabeth Vela

Elizabeth Vela

Grants Specialist

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