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Educational articles about how federal spending works, the difference between contracts and grants, the largest government contractors, and how to read spending data.
DollarSign
How Federal Spending Works
Appropriations, obligations, and outlays — the lifecycle of a federal dollar explained in plain language.
Updated February 1, 2025
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Contracts vs. Grants: What's the Difference?
Federal contracts and grants both move taxpayer money, but they work very differently. Here's what sets them apart.
Updated February 1, 2025
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The Largest Government Contractors
A guide to the companies that receive the most federal contract dollars and what they do.
Updated February 1, 2025
Map
Federal Spending by State
How federal dollars flow to each state — and why some states receive more than others.
Updated February 1, 2025
Database
Understanding USAspending.gov Data
A guide to reading and interpreting the federal spending data that powers this site.
Updated February 1, 2025