OPPORTUNITY:
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), invites applications for grants under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2024. This notice is being issued to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2024.
DESCRIPTION:
The primary objective of the RCDG program is to improve the economic condition of Rural Areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve Rural cooperatives and Mutually Owned Businesses through Cooperative Development Centers.
Applications must propose the establishment or continuation of a Cooperative Development Center. In addition, project funds may also be used for programs that coordinate services and share information among the Centers. All project activities must be for the benefit of a Rural Area.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
- Nonprofit corporation
- Institution of higher education
COST SHARING/MATCHING FUNDS:
A match of at least 25 percent (5 percent for 1994 Institutions) of the total project cost is required for the application.
FUNDING AVAILABLE AND PRE- APPLICATION WINDOW:
ANTICIPATED FUNDING AVAILABLE: $5.8 million
MAXIMUM Award Amount: $200,000
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 3, 2024
