How to sell to the government

Learn how private sector companies can leverage government consultants to build impactful and effective public-private connections

From navigating budget cycles to identifying internal champions, Funkhouser & Associates offers advice on how private companies can navigate the inner workings of local government to find new, profitable public sector markets for their services.

We cut through the noise and connect you with your target audience. With our custom convenings and webinars, we build intimacy and trust by matching the right people with the right topic. Find out how we create robust discussions that give you new insights into how to be better, more effective partners.

Access the hidden world of government finance

When it comes to local government, the most important question is not: What do you want to do? It’s: How are you going to pay for that?

After decades of successfully navigating the maze of government finance, F&A Associates intimately understands how to help private sector companies tie and time their solutions to government budget cycles, funding sources and purse strings.

Match private sector solutions with public sector needs

Mark’s life work has been to improve communities through authentic relationships that with others who are just as dedicated to effective local government. After spending decades working as a trusted public sector servant, he’s built a team of like-minded problem solvers to help him extend these relationships into the private sector.

Funkhouser & Associates specializes in opening doors to profitable public/private collaboration, fostering fresh solutions to government’s toughest problems.

Candidly offering “real” counsel to drive impact and results

It’s a fact: Government leaders are allergic to corporate speak. Funkhouser & Associates provides the primer private companies need to navigate local government’s idiosyncrasies and build profitable partnerships.

Building on Mark’s legacy as a renegade among his peers, the team works with clients to tackle issues that are radical and off limits – all with a direct, collaborative spirit that delivers pragmatic, actionable counsel and fresh, effective solutions.

Ready to get started?

Kirsten Wyatt

co-founder & former executive director, ENGAGING LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS

“Mark Funkhouser is dedicated to public service. Whether he’s presenting to a packed conference of local government leaders, or writing a column about public sector innovations, Mark is focused and thoughtful about the impact he’s making in the world. I’ve watched him equally give his time and energy to building up young people who are early in their public service careers, as he gives to seasoned managers and mayors. His lack of ego and his focus on excellence, are what make Mark a great leader and friend.”

Ben Hecht

LIVING CITIES, President & CEO

“Mark Funkhouser has been a great and important partner for Living Cities. His understanding of how cities work, willingness to address tough issues head on and to use his own social and political capital for good, sets him apart from so many others in this space.”

Marianne Steger

WILLIS TOWERS WATSON, Director of Public Sector and Labor Strategy, retired health care director of OHIO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM

“I have been looking to Mark Funkhouser in my search for best practices and innovation in government for years. If you want to know who the movers and shakers are in a particular city or state, Mark is the person to talk to. Curious about how a state is handling its OPEB liability, Mark can point you the right direction. Mark is an intellectual giant in this field of understanding the complexities of government.”

Richard Coupland

REPUBLIC SERVICES, Vice President, Municipal Sales

“I have had the privilege of working with Mark and would highly recommend him for important projects. With a background straddling elected office and his respected years at Governing, he has the unique ability to bring together thought leaders from public office to discuss, consider and share ideas on critical topics.”

Richard Wilson

CITY MANAGER, Retired

“Mark Funkhouser has long been one of the most knowledgeable and insightful figures in government and journalism”

Michael A. Nutter

Former Mayor of Philadelphia

“The devil is in the details when it comes to ARPA and IIJA funding and using it impactfully. F&A is working with local government and private sector partners to help them identify ways to access funds and target them to the biggest challenges and priorities in their communities.”

Paul Grimes

City Manager of McKinney, Texas

“The roundtable offered practitioners in local government a well-organized and efficient exchange of ideas and a chance to compare notes on topics like sustainable development, labor shortages, and tackling the affordable housing shortage. Funkhouser’s insights into local government from his own experiences added a ‘no judgment’ zone for those of us wrestling with the political and practical constraints of service delivery in local government.”

George Hawkins

CEO, Moonshot Missions; former General Manager, DC Water

“I jump at the chance to join Mayor Mark Funkhouser on any program focused on local communities. His long experience in local government means his observations and questions are full of practical and first-hand insights. Backed by a team that has been studying the best of local government for years, Mark is skilled at tapping the right speakers for any topic and building discussions that highlight best in class ideas. Their programs are fun, engaging for participants, and I leave as a better public servant as a result.”

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