Opportunity Information: Apply for RBCS RDCG 2021
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Business and Cooperative Programs office. The purpose of the program is to strengthen rural economies by helping rural cooperatives and similar rural business entities get started, grow, or operate more effectively. Rather than funding individual cooperatives directly in most cases, the program primarily funds Rural Cooperative Development Centers, which then deliver hands-on technical assistance to rural people and organizations that are building or improving cooperative and other rural business efforts.
At its core, the program is designed to improve the economic condition of rural areas. It does this by supporting practical, on-the-ground assistance that can help rural groups navigate the real challenges of launching or expanding a cooperative or business entity. This assistance can include guidance on planning, operations, governance, feasibility work, business structuring, and other forms of development support that make rural enterprises more viable over time. The overarching idea is that well-run cooperatives and rural businesses can create jobs, retain local wealth, strengthen local supply chains, and increase resilience in smaller communities.
This opportunity is classified as a discretionary grant and falls under the Business and Commerce funding activity category. The listing is associated with CFDA number 10.771. The specific funding opportunity referenced is titled "Rural Cooperative Development Grant" with the opportunity number "RBCS RDCG 2021." For this cycle, the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $200,000, and USDA anticipated making about 29 awards, indicating a moderately competitive national program with multiple awards expected each year.
Eligible applicants are organizations positioned to operate as development centers and provide technical assistance services. Eligible applicant types include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). In practice, this means universities, extension-related entities, and nonprofit development organizations are typical applicants, especially those with established capacity to deliver training and technical support to rural communities.
The timeline for the referenced posting shows it was created on June 16, 2021, with an original application deadline of August 10, 2021. Awards are made through an annual competitive process, so while these dates relate to the 2021 cycle, the program structure described reflects how RCDG generally operates from year to year: USDA funds development centers, and those centers provide the direct assistance that helps rural cooperatives and other rural business entities improve their chances of long-term success.Apply for RBCS RDCG 2021
- The Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Cooperative Development Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.771.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 16, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 10, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 29 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) FAQs
What is the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)?
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) is a competitive, discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Business and Cooperative Programs office. The program is designed to strengthen rural economies by supporting organizations that provide hands-on technical assistance to rural cooperatives and similar rural business efforts.
What is the main purpose of the RCDG program?
The purpose of RCDG is to improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping cooperatives and other rural business entities get started, grow, or operate more effectively. The program focuses on practical, on-the-ground support that helps rural groups overcome common challenges in planning, launching, and running viable enterprises.
Does RCDG fund individual rural cooperatives directly?
In most cases, RCDG does not primarily fund individual cooperatives directly. Instead, USDA primarily funds Rural Cooperative Development Centers, which then provide direct technical assistance to rural people and organizations working on cooperative and related rural business development.
Who receives the grant funding under RCDG?
Grant funding is generally awarded to organizations that can operate as Rural Cooperative Development Centers and deliver technical assistance services to rural communities and organizations.
What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicant types include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
Typical applicants often include universities, extension-related entities, and nonprofit development organizations with established capacity to deliver training and technical support.
What type of grant is this?
This opportunity is classified as a discretionary grant and is listed under the Business and Commerce funding activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number associated with the Rural Cooperative Development Grant is 10.771.
What is the funding opportunity title and number for the referenced cycle?
The referenced listing is titled "Rural Cooperative Development Grant" and the opportunity number is "RBCS RDCG 2021."
What is the maximum award amount?
For the referenced cycle, the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $200,000.
How many awards does USDA expect to make?
For the referenced cycle, USDA anticipated making about 29 awards, suggesting a national competition with multiple awards expected.
What types of support or assistance does the program aim to deliver?
The program supports hands-on technical assistance that can help rural groups build stronger cooperatives and rural business entities. Examples of assistance mentioned include:
- Planning support
- Operational guidance
- Governance assistance
- Feasibility work
- Business structuring support
- Other development support that improves long-term viability
What outcomes is RCDG trying to achieve in rural communities?
The program is intended to strengthen rural economies by helping rural enterprises become more viable over time. The broader goal is that well-run cooperatives and rural businesses can create jobs, keep wealth in local communities, strengthen local supply chains, and increase resilience in smaller communities.
When was the referenced opportunity posted?
The referenced posting was created on June 16, 2021.
What was the application deadline for the referenced cycle?
The original application deadline for the referenced 2021 cycle was August 10, 2021.
Is this a one-time opportunity or an annual program?
Awards are made through an annual competitive process. The specific dates provided relate to the 2021 cycle, but the program structure described reflects how RCDG generally operates year to year: USDA funds development centers, and those centers provide technical assistance to rural cooperatives and other rural business efforts.
What is the basic program model for how RCDG works?
The program model described is:
- USDA competitively awards grants (primarily to development centers).
- Those development centers deliver hands-on technical assistance to rural people and organizations.
- That assistance helps rural cooperatives and similar business entities start up, expand, and operate more effectively over time.
Which USDA office runs this program?
The RCDG program is run by USDA through its Business and Cooperative Programs office.
What funding activity category does this fall under?
This opportunity falls under the Business and Commerce funding activity category.
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