Equitable Practices and Oversight for Federal Dollars

WHEREAS, The challenge of capturing statistics on federal dollars distributed to Black communities is not consistent or captured in consolidated federal reports as stated in multiple reports of the General Accountability Office; and 

WHEREAS, The distribution of federal funds has historically perpetuated systemic inequalities, disproportionately leaving marginalized communities behind in economic development, infrastructure improvement, and access to essential services; and 

WHEREAS, A 2023 news article in CBS News states that "studies reveal alarming disparities in federal funding allocation, with marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities receiving significantly less funding compared to predominantly white communities for vital programs surrounding;" and 

WHEREAS, The National Library of Medicine states "the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed and exacerbated funding disparities, with communities of color facing significant economic fallout and receiving inadequate support from federal relief efforts"; and 

WHEREAS, The lack of equitable fund allocation and oversight perpetuates cycles of poverty, systemic racism, and social injustice, hindering the ability of Black and marginalized communities to thrive and contribute fully to society; and 

WHEREAS, Transparent accounting and oversight is essential to address historical inequities, hold lawmakers accountable, and empower marginalized communities to access opportunity. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls upon lawmakers to reform and refine federal oversight and reporting on federal funding and grants to include race and demographic information with emphasis on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and other agencies of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP demands comprehensive reforms that permanently prioritize equity and target resources to BIPOC and marginalized, frontline communities, areas, and individuals demonstrating persistent poverty. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP demands that an agency's annual budget review must incorporate oversight of its equity impact on BIPOC, marginalized, and frontline communities with criteria that incorporate an evaluation of the success of this impact. 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP demands data collection and analysis must include disaggregated demographic information to enable identification of disparities between BIPOC and other communities to inform the equitable distribution and targeting of interventions and federal funds to those most in need.