Description: Rural Community Development Initiative grants may be used for but are not limited to (a) training sub-grantees to conduct a program on home-ownership education; (b) training sub- grantees to conduct a program for minority business entrepreneurs; (c) providing technical assistance to sub-grantees on how to effectively prepare a strategic plan; (d) provide technical assistance to sub-grantees on how to access alternative funding sources; (e) building organizational capacity through board training; (f) developing training tools, such as videos, workbooks, and reference guides to be used by the sub-grantee; (g) providing technical assistance and training on how to develop successful child care facilities; and (h) providing training on effective fundraising techniques.

The Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) disburses grants to non-profit organizations working to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses.  The program has similar goals as the broader Community Development Block Grant program, except the RCDI program has a more narrow scope, and is focused exclusively on rural communities.

Like CDBG funds, RCDI funds can be used for infrastructure development, affordable housing programs, anti-poverty programs, and whatever other unique needs a particular grantee might have.

Funding Title: Rural Community Development Initiatives Grant

Agency Name: United States Deptment of Agritculture (USDA), Rural Development

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Express Language for Legal Aid: No, but programs eligible for CDBG funding that serve rural communities may be eligible for this grant as well.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Applicants must provide matching funds for the entire RCDI amount. The matching funds may be through an intermediary organization or government (e.g. a state government may provide the matching funds, receive the grant and then disburse the entire amount to a local organization).

Award Ceiling: Awards are highly discretionary, ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 and based on the need stated in the grant application.

Eligible Applicants: Local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits. Funds are awarded directly to applicants.

Current/Past Funding Recipients:  2014

Contact: Shirley Stevenson, 202 205-9685, 202 690-0471 (fax), shirley.stevenson@wdc.usda.gov

Link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/had-rcdi_grants.html

Categories: Department of Agriculture, Education Organizations, Government Organizations, Non-profit Organizations, Rural, Subgrant Possibilities