1.

Introduction

1.1

Purposes and scope

1.2

Intended audience

1.3

Uses

1.3.1

Developing a new formula

1.3.2

Analyzing/revising an existing formula

1.3.3

Periodic evaluations

2.

An overview of fund allocation programs

2.1

History and current status

2.1.1

An early example: The Morrill Act

2.1.2

General revenue sharing

2.1.3

A statistical summary of current federal programs

2.1.4

Formula allocations of state funds

2.1.5

International perspective

2.2

The parties involved

2.2.1

Congress

2.2.2

Program agencies

2.2.3

First-level recipients

2.2.4

Individual beneficiaries

2.2.5

Advocacy groups

2.3

Alternative approaches to fund allocation

2.3.1

Amounts specified in legislation

2.3.2

Specific formula in legislation

2.3.3

Goals in legislation; formula developed by program agency

2.4

Types of formula allocations

2.4.1

Single-pass, mathematical expressions

2.4.2

Iterative procedures

2.4.3

Matching and cost-sharing provisions

3.

Program goals

3.1

Desired outcomes

3.1.1

Close the gap between need and effort

3.1.2

Treat equals equally

3.1.3

Encourage spending on targeted services

3.1.4

Fair treatment of communities

3.2

Target population

3.3

Services provided