What does the term "match funding" refer to?

Match funding refers to financial contributions that come from non-federal sources to complement federal funds provided for specific projects or programs. This concept is integral to many grant programs, where the funding agency may require that a certain percentage or amount of funding be raised by the recipient from other sources. This encourages collaboration, resource-sharing, and ensures that the funded project has broader support.

This strategy can enhance the sustainability of projects by leveraging additional resources, demonstrating community commitment, or highlighting the project's importance to stakeholders. In contrast, options that refer to funding solely from federal agencies, grants that don’t require matching funds, or automatically allocated funds do not capture the specific meaning and implications of match funding.