Merriam-Webster defines earmark as follows:
earmark
noun
ear·mark ˈir-ˌmärk
1 : a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
2 : a distinguishing mark
- all the earmarks of poverty
3 : a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization
verb
earmarked; earmarking; earmarks
1 a : to mark (livestock) with an earmark
1 b : to mark in a distinguishing manner
2 : to designate (something, such as funds) for a specific use or owner
- money earmarked for education
The Congressional Research Service (Congress’s impartial research arm) defines earmarks as follows:
…congressionally directed spending, tax benefit, or tariff benefit … if it would benefit a specific entity or state, locality, or congressional district other than through a statutory or administrative formula or competitive award process.
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45429
What does that mean for you?
First of all, understand that the terms earmark, congressionally directed spending, and community project all mean the same thing.
Second, what it practically looks like is a line or description in a Congressional report that describes how Congress intends a certain dollar amount from the spending bill to be spent.
Third, it does not mean that Congress has cut you a check directly. You still have to satisfy whatever contractual or grant program terms are in place, including eligibility and registration.
In separate posts, I’ll go over why you would want an earmark vs. why you would not want an earmark (pros and cons).
But for now, hopefully the formal definitions and a working practical definition give you a flavor of what they are and whether they are right for you.