Rural Community Development Initiative

To develop the capacity and ability of private, nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations and low income rural communities to improve housing, community and economic development projects, and community facilities in ru

Rural Community Development Initiative grants may be made to a legally qualified private or public (including tribal) organization that provides technical assistance to nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations, and low income rural communities. The grantee must provide a program of technical assistance to the recipient entity. The grantee must have been legally organized for a minimum of three years prior experience working with nonprofit organizations or low-income rural communities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. Assistance is authorized for eligible applicants in rural areas of the States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palaw, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Recipient entities must be legally organized private, nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations, low income rural communities, and Federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Applicants must possess the legal, financial, administrative, and operational capacity relative to the activity for which assistance is requested. Applicants must also possess the necessary background and experience with proven ability to perform responsibly in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic development, and display the ability to work within established guidelines.

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.

Proposals must be structured to utilize the Rural Community Development Initiative grant funds within 3 years from the execution of the Rural Community Development Initiative grant agreement.

Application procedures will be announced in the Federal Register and on the Grants.gov web site.

Applications that are received are competitively scored and the highest scoring are awarded grants until appropriated funds are exhausted. Factors considered for project selection include but are not limited to median household income, rural population, and points for evaluation criteria published in the notice of funding of availability (NOFA).

Award is made by the Administrator, Housing and Community Facilities Programs.

As required, 90 days to 120 days.

If an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection are fully stated. The applicant may request a review of the decision from the National Appeals Division, USDA.