Applications are due 11:59 PM EST on October 11, 2022

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Strategic Plan sets the direction and focus of our programs and staff to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality, affordable homes for all. The Rural Capacity Building program enhances the capacity and ability of rural housing development organizations, Community Development Corporations (CDCs), Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), rural local governments, and Indian tribes (eligible beneficiaries) to carry out affordable housing and community development activities in rural areas for the benefit of low- and moderate-income families and persons. The Rural Capacity Building program achieves this by funding National Organizations with expertise in rural housing and rural community development who work directly to build the capacity of eligible beneficiaries. Eligible Program Activities. RCB program funds are limited to activities that strengthen the organizational infrastructure, management, and governance capabilities of eligible beneficiaries serving rural areas to effectively increase the capacity of the eligible beneficiaries to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low-income or low- and moderate-income families and persons in rural areas. Training, education, and support. This may include, but is not limited to, building the capacity of eligible beneficiaries to: Conduct organizational assessments; Engage in strategic planning and Board development; Access and implement technological improvements; Engage with rural community stakeholders; Evaluate performance of current and planned rural community efforts; Plan for the use of available rural resources in a comprehensive and holistic manner; Participate in HUD planning efforts to ensure rural participation and the assessment of rural area needs; and Foster regional planning efforts by connecting local, rural community plans with neighboring communities. Financial assistance. Such other activities as may be determined by the grantees in consultation with the Secretary or his or her designee.

Grant information

Funding Title: FY 2021 and FY 2022 Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants (RCB)

Agency Name: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Funding Opportunity Number: FR-6600-N-08

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Express Language for Legal Aid: No, but sub grantee possibilities.

Target Population: low- and moderate-income families and persons in rural areas

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Estimated Total Program Funding: $10,000,000

Award Ceiling: $2,500,000

Award Floor: $1,250,000

Current Closing Date for Applications: Applications are due 11:59 PM EST on October 11, 2022

How to apply:

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 combined Rural Capacity Building (RCB) program NOFO contains a few small changes. Among them, applicants will now be requested to provide a Leverage Summary requesting specific information regarding the leverage contribution. A sample format for the Leverage Summary has been added to the NOFO. There are no programmatic changes in the FY 2021/FY 2022 RCB NOFO. Specific changes are as follows:
• Minimum and Maximum Award Amounts: The maximum award amounts have
decreased from $3.25 million to $2.5 million.
• Leverage Summary: Applicants will now be requested to provide specific information regarding leverage contributions and given a sample format to use. See rating Factor 5 Leverage Resources for additional information and for a sample Leverage Summary table.
• Attachments: The Multi-Year Budget Form HUD Form 4130 (Required) has been made available to applicants in an Excel spreadsheet for ease of use.
• Preference Points: Preference points for this NOFO have been updated to reflect HUD priorities for FY 2022. Opportunity Zone has been removed from this NOFO.
Environmental Justice preference points have been added to this NOFO. Page 5 of 56
• A New Rating Factor has been added to the NOFO addressing Underserved communities and Fair housing (Rating Factor 3).
• Definitions for equity and underserved communities has been added to this NOFO.

Eligible Applicants:

Only National Organizations that are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, other than institutions of higher education, may apply for RCB funding. For the purpose of the RCB program, a National Organization must be a single non-profit organization that has ongoing experience conducting RCB eligible capacity building activities in rural areas with RCB eligible beneficiaries serving high need rural communities, as evidenced by work within the last ten years in at least eight of HUD’s Federal regions. Having relevant experience working in one state in a HUD region is sufficient for counting that region towards the eight-region minimum. HUD’s Federal regions are described on HUD’s website at https://www.hud.gov/localoffices/regions .

Helpful resources and research

• Additional Information
• NLADA recently presented at the MIE Fundraising Conference on how civil legal aid serves victims of crime. Access the PowerPoint here.
• The Justice in Government Project at American University has curated research briefs on how civil legal aid helps survivors of domestic violence and vulnerable populations. You can access the briefs here.
• Want help making your case? The Justice Index scores and ranks states on their adoption of best practices for ensuring access to justice. Find how well your state is doing here.
• Fast click to NLADA-JGP Just Research Newsletter and research brief

For more information

Link to Full Announcement: Here

Contact Information: Anupama Abhyankar, CapacityBuilding@hud.gov

Categories: Housing, Housing and Urban Development, Non-profit Organizations, Rural