Since the Baldrige Program was established in 1987 with bipartisan support from Congress and President Ronald Reagan, the program has advanced National Institute of Standards and technology (NIST) mission by providing the world’s most respected framework and standards for organizations to share best practices, achieve excellence, and increase America’s competitive edge in the global marketplace. Since the phase-out of federal funding in 2012, the Baldrige Foundation (the private partner) has provided funding to the present day (FY2012-FY2015), reducing the Foundation’s endowment to less than one year remaining. Recognizing the proven track record of Baldrige in creating world-class health care, education and business models using the latest, validated management practices in all sectors of the economy, restoration of federal funding has been requested in the amount of $7.5 million. With the expectation that Congress would reinstate the federal government as the public partner based on continued excellent performance of the program and proven substantial contribution to economic growth. The Baldrige program is also working with federal government and private sector partners to establish a new cyber-security program and framework. This new program will identify best practices in cyber-security and share them across all sectors to help protect America’s cyber networks. Lack of Funding for Baldridge will negatively impact the Army Communities of Excellence (ACOE) program as well as the USAF’s AFSO-21 process improvement initiatives. In an environment of nearly and $18 trillion of debt, shrinking budgets, and a sluggish economy, Baldrige criteria for performance excellence and process improvement is needed now more than ever.