Rural Commmunity Developmemt Initiative (RCDI) | USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2018

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2018

The Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development, designed to strengthen rural communities by building the capacity of local organizations. Rather than funding construction or direct service projects outright, the program focuses on supporting intermediary organizations that can deliver financial and technical assistance to smaller local recipients, helping them become better equipped to plan, manage, and carry out rural development efforts tied to housing, community facilities, and broader community and economic development.

Under this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2018; CFDA 10.446), eligible applicants are wide-ranging and include public and private entities such as state, county, and municipal governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; federally recognized tribal governments; public or Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities); private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other applicants as clarified by the program guidance. The key point is that awards are intended for qualified intermediary organizations, including tribal intermediaries, that will run a structured program of assistance to other organizations in rural areas.

A central requirement of RCDI is the match. The intermediary must provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the federal grant award, effectively making it a 1:1 match requirement. This means an organization awarded, for example, $100,000 in RCDI funds must contribute at least $100,000 in eligible matching resources, bringing the total program resources to at least $200,000. This requirement is a defining feature of the program and is meant to ensure intermediaries have meaningful financial commitment and capacity to deliver sustained assistance.

Grant sizes are relatively modest but targeted. The minimum award per intermediary is $50,000 and the maximum (award ceiling) is $250,000. The opportunity anticipated approximately 25 awards. The overall intent is to fund multiple intermediaries who can serve as multipliers, channeling expertise, training, and limited financial support to local rural organizations that are positioned to implement community-impacting projects but may lack staffing, systems, or experience to do so effectively.

Programmatically, the intermediary is expected to provide a combination of financial and technical assistance to help recipients develop their capacity and ability to undertake eligible projects. In practical terms, technical assistance can include training, coaching, strategic planning, grant and loan packaging support, financial management improvements, governance and organizational development, community engagement, and project development guidance. The assistance must be tied to projects and activities that relate to rural housing, community facilities (such as essential public facilities and services), or community and economic development that supports the community. The emphasis is on building long-term capability so rural organizations can successfully develop and manage projects, secure financing, and meet compliance and reporting expectations.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted by the Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs, categorized under Agriculture and Community Development. The funding opportunity was created on April 26, 2018, and the original closing date was June 25, 2018. While those dates reflect the specific 2018 cycle referenced here, the summary captures the core structure of the program: intermediaries compete for grant funding, provide a dollar-for-dollar match, and then deploy a structured assistance program to strengthen rural organizations so they can execute projects that improve housing options, community facilities, and local economic and community development outcomes.

• The Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs in the agriculture, community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Commmunity Developmemt Initiative (RCDI)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.446.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 26, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 25, 2018. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2018

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