Rural Cooperative Development Grants

The Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDG) program is a competitive grant program that provides funding to nonprofit institutions to establish and operate centers for rural cooperative development. The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping nonprofit organizations provide technical assistance to start, expand, or improve cooperatives and mutually owned businesses in rural areas. The program has several key goals, including creating jobs in rural areas, facilitating the creation of new rural cooperatives, and providing technical assistance to rural businesses. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, including being a nonprofit institution and providing a cost-sharing contribution to the project. The program has a funding amount of approximately $5,000,000, with individual awards ranging from $200,000 to $1,000,000. Key points to consider: * The program is authorized under Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. * The program has a two-part evaluation process, including an administrative review and a scientific peer-review process. * Applicants must submit specific management information prior to an award and update the information as needed. * The program has specific reporting requirements, including semi-annual financial and performance reports. * The program is subject to various federal statutes and regulations, including the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.