USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grants support community and economic development projects, such as housing and community facilities, in low-income, rural areas.

In 2023, $6 million has been appropriated for awards between $50,000 and $500,000. Applications are due through Grants.gov by June 28, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. This grant requires a 1:1 match of non-federal, cash funds.

Consult with your State Office to ensure there are no additional requirements.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to:

• Public bodies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Qualified for-profit organizations

Region

Grant funds must be spent to benefit rural areas. USDA defines rural as:

Any area other than:

• A city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants
• The urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such city or town

$1.6 million has been set aside for projects in Persistent Poverty Counties, which are defined as, “Any county that has had 20% or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years.”

Allowable Activities

Funds from this grant are to be used to improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development. This can include, but is not limited to:

Training sub-grantees to conduct:

• Home-ownership education
• Minority business owner education

Providing technical assistance to sub-grantees on:

• Strategic planning
• Fundraising
• Board training
• Creating training materials, such as videos and workbooks
• Building successful childcare centers

Key Priorities

Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that will advance Rural Development’s key priorities:

• Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice
• Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity
• Creating More and Better Market Opportunities