The National Priorities Project began in 1983 to help community groups
understand and respond to federal budget cuts in Massachusetts
communities.

Hampered by a lack of information on how federal policies affected local communities, NPP built a coalition of community groups in western Massachusetts that created the first-ever analysis of the impact of spending policies at the congressional district level. We found that over a two-year period, the First Congressional District had lost over $54 million in housing, education, health care and other monies.

Shocked by this report, the district's Congressperson, Silvio Conte, became a strong supporter of more federal spending for community-based programs and came out against a balanced budget amendment that slashed the federal safety net.

NPP proved that when people know the facts about federal policies and get
involved in the political process they can make a difference. Today,
NPP provides information on the federal budget for every state, county,
congressional district, and hundreds of cities and towns. National
advocacy groups and concerned citizens rely on NPP's information and
analyses in their efforts to help change federal spending policies.
Our information is covered extensively by hundreds of media outlets
across the country, including CNN, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles
Times, NPR, and PBS.