The Rural Housing Service (Agency), an Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program for fiscal year (FY) 2021.

The RCDI structure requires the intermediary (grantee) to provide a program of financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. The recipients will, in turn, provide programs that will support their communities (beneficiaries). The Recipient and Beneficiary, but not the Intermediary, must be located in a city or town that has a population of 50,000 or less inhabitants. The Intermediary will be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the RCDI grant. 

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $6,000,000
• The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per intermediary is $50,000 and $250,000.
• Grant funds must be utilized within 3 years from date of the award.

Eligible Applicants

• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Small businesses
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• For profit organizations other than small businesses
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• City or township governments
• Independent school districts
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Special district governments
• State governments
• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• County governments

Other Eligibility Information

The intermediary organization must have been legally organized for a minimum of 3 years and have at least 3 years prior experience working with private nonprofit community-based housing and development organizations, low-income rural communities, or tribal organizations in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. The Intermediary will be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the RCDI grant.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.