Why It Matters

An Achievable Dream faces a funding crisis as the Trump administration has systematically eliminated nearly $7 billion in congressionally approved education funding and terminated roughly $137 million in juvenile justice grants. The funds went to at-risk youth that the organization depends on. With school choice expansion diverting resources to private alternatives, An Achievable Dream cannot rely on traditional K-12 funding channels.

The organization is strategically pursuing the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill and Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants—a more insulated funding stream. Congress faces fiscal pressure and competing priorities, so An Achievable Dream must convince appropriators that investing in youth mentoring and juvenile justice prevention programs justifies federal resources when the administration is actively cutting them.

The organization’s two-decade lobbying relationship with Holland & Knight LLP and its experienced team—particularly Christopher Roger Mack DeLacy, who served as Legislative Counsel to former Senator John Warner (R-VA)—positions it to navigate these treacherous waters.

By the Numbers

An Achievable Dream Inc. paid $50,000 to Holland & Knight LLP for the last quarter lobbying on K-12 education and juvenile justice appropriations. The organization has engaged federal advocates since 2003, spending over $2.07 million across 51 total filings.

Holland & Knight has represented the organization since 2005, handling 46 disclosures and earning $1.9 million. Two experienced lobbyists lead the account: Robert Hunt Bradner has represented the organization across 33 disclosures since 2005, while DeLacy has worked the account for 46 disclosures, bringing direct congressional experience from his tenure with Senator Warner.

The Agenda

An Achievable Dream is lobbying Congress on specific K-12 education policy and federal appropriations, targeting the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill and securing funding for the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants.

The organization previously focused on K-12 education policy, including Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization. More recently, it has emphasized juvenile justice policy, particularly the Byrne Grants and the Youth Promise Act.

The timing reflects a volatile federal funding landscape. The Trump administration froze $7 billion in previous approved education funds mid-2025 and terminated roughly $137 million in Justice Department grants to juvenile justice programs. With federal education resources shrinking and school choice programs expanding, An Achievable Dream is pivoting toward alternative funding mechanisms outside traditional K-12 appropriations.

Broader Context

An Achievable Dream’s lobbying effort arrives amid tumultuous federal funding for education and juvenile justice programs. The administration’s funding freeze drew bipartisan criticism from lawmakers including Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and eight Republican colleagues.

The FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill represents a modest 2.8 percent decrease from FY 2025, creating a shrinking pot for youth programs. Despite budget pressures, bipartisan support for juvenile justice and mentoring programs persists among congressional appropriators.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively debating federal education funding’s future. The House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill in September—the exact legislative vehicle An Achievable Dream is targeting.

The Trump administration’s education funding freeze drew rare bipartisan backlash. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins and eight Republican colleagues publicly pushed back against the administration’s actions, signaling strong congressional support for protecting appropriated funds.

On juvenile justice, Congress authorized several mentoring bills with bipartisan sponsorship, including the Mentoring to Succeed Act and the Transition-to-Success Mentoring Act, aligning with An Achievable Dream’s mission.

Competitive Landscape

MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership emerged as a key competitor, actively lobbying on identical priorities. MENTOR is pushing for passage of mentoring acts while advocating for Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Youth Mentoring Program grants—the same funding stream An Achievable Dream targets.

The presence of established organizations like MENTOR indicates strong bipartisan recognition of youth mentoring needs, but also signals competition for scarce federal dollars during a period when the administration has terminated roughly $137 million in juvenile justice grants.

The Bottom Line

An Achievable Dream is lobbying Congress at a precarious moment for federal youth funding. After the Trump administration cut billions in education funding and terminated juvenile justice grants, Congress showed bipartisan support to reverse those cuts, but the broader fiscal environment remains hostile to youth-focused programs.

The organization’s strategy reflects pragmatism: rather than compete for shrinking traditional education grants, it is securing commitments through appropriations bills while congressional support for juvenile justice programs still exists. With two decades of combined lobbyist experience and DeLacy’s Senate connections, An Achievable Dream is positioned to compete for limited resources against organizations like MENTOR pursuing similar federal youth funding.

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