Description
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development. The program is authorized under section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. Eligible applicants are non-profit corporations or institutions of higher education. The program provides grants to support the establishment or continuation of cooperative development centers, which provide technical assistance to individuals and entities in rural areas. The maximum award amount per grant is $200,000, and the total funding available for FY 2020 is $5.8 million. Some key points of the program include:
• The program aims to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development.
• Eligible applicants are non-profit corporations or institutions of higher education.
• The program provides grants to support the establishment or continuation of cooperative development centers.
• The maximum award amount per grant is $200,000.
• The total funding available for FY 2020 is $5.8 million.
• Grant funds may be used to pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing and operating centers for rural cooperative development.
• Matching funds are required, and the matching funds requirement is 25 percent of the total project cost.
• The program has a one-year grant period, and projects must be completed within a one-year timeframe.
• The program has specific eligibility requirements, including a requirement that applicants must be non-profit corporations or institutions of higher education, and that they must meet certain cost-sharing or matching requirements.