FUNDING

Strategic Economic and Community Development

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is excited to share a new Rural Development funding opportunity authorized by Section 6025 of the 2014 Farm Bill. This new authority entitled Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) prioritizes projects that support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional plans under the Community Facilities Program, Water and Waste Disposal Program, Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program, and Rural Business Development Grant Program. Under this provision, up to 10 percent of each programs annual appropriations can be set aside and made available to eligible SECD applicants—in FY 2016, SECD has set aside over $300 million.  Many communities already working together to develop multi-jurisdictional plans with the help of strategic partners including non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, university extensions, regional authorities, coalitions of counties/towns and federal special initiative coalitions such as: Stronger Economies Together, Promise Zones, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnerships, Sustainable Communities, and Local Food, Local Places. The goal of SECD is to promote collaboration in rural communities and across Rural Development agencies and programs. Communities are incentivized to align resources, develop long-term community and economic growth strategies and engage federal, state and local partners. By promoting this regional focus USDA resources can be more effectively utilized and have a larger impact on rural capacity building and wealth creation.

We encourage these groups and others to apply for SECD and spread the word on this exciting new opportunity!

Value Added Producer Grant Funds Available!

The VAPG program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the goals of this program. You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, or are proposing a mid-tier value chain. Grants are awarded through a national competition.

Kresge Foundation Issues RFP for Loans for Community Investments

POSTED: April 7, 2016
DEADLINE: April 29, 2016

Loans of up to $3 million will be awarded to community development finance institutions and community finance development agencies working to expand opportunities for low-income people in America's cities....

FY 2016 Social Innovation Fund Classic Cooperative Agreements

CNCS is soliciting applications for the FY 2016 Social Innovation Fund grant program. The Social Innovation Fund (SIF), combines public and private resources to grow the impact of innovative, community-based solutions that have compelling evidence of improving the lives of people in low-income communities throughout the United States. The SIF invests in three issue areas: economic opportunity, healthy futures, and youth development. The SIF makes grants to experienced grantmaking institutions that are well-positioned within communities to identify the most promising programs and guide them towards greater impact and stronger evidence of success. In addition to funding, Social Innovation Fund recipients receive significant technical assistance to support implementation and evaluation of their innovative programs. This competition is open to existing grantmaking institutions (organizations that provide grants to nonprofits as an essential means of fulfilling their mission) or eligible partnerships (between a grantmaker and a State Commission on National and Community Service, or a chief executive officer of a unit of general local government with the partner organizations sharing responsibilities under the award).

NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPLY DEADLINE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent to by April 15, 2016 via the online form.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are due May 10, 2016.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Process and Technology Improvement Grants

The purpose of this grant competition is to support efforts by State agencies and their community-based and faith-based partners to develop and implement: Simple SNAP application and eligibility determination systems; or Measures to improve access to SNAP benefits by eligible applicants. This RFA seeks diverse proposals that would make the entire process easier and more efficient for applicants and participants. Grant proposals should focus on improving the quality and efficiency of operations and processes within the SNAP office. Specifically, FNS is interested in initiatives that use new technologies or examine office processes in order to improve application processing timeliness for initial applications or re-certifications.

Deadline: Applications are due April 18, 2016.

Farmers Market Promotion Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), AMS, requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) to competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that establish, expand, and promote direct producer-to-consumer marketing. Approximately $13 million is available to fund applications under this solicitation. The minimum FY 2016 FMPP award per grant is $50,000 and the maximum is $500,000. An applicant is limited to one FMPP award in a funding year. FMPP funding will be available for use beginning September 30, 2016. Matching funds are not required.

Deadline: Applications are due on May 12, 2016.

 

Local Food Promotion Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) to competitively award grants to eligible applicants to plan or implement projects that assist in the development, improvement, and/or expansion of intermediary local and regional food business supply chain activities (e.g. activities that do not involve direct producer‐to‐consumer sales). Approximately $13 million is available to fund applications under this solicitation. LFPP planning grant award levels range from $25,000 to $100,000. LFPP implementation grant award levels range from $100,000 to $500,000. An applicant is limited to one LFPP award in a funding year.

Deadline: Applications are due on May 12, 2016.

AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Grants FY 2016

CNCS is soliciting application for the FY 2016 American Indian Tribes Grants competition.

CNCS seeks to prioritize the investment of national service resources in:

• Disaster Services – improving community resiliency through disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation
• Economic Opportunity – increasing economic opportunities for communities, specifically opportunity youth (see Glossary), both as the population served and as AmeriCorps members
• Education – improving student academic performance, including subject matter related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics (STEM), and/or serving students who attend Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools.
• Healthy Futures – positively impacting behavioral health outcomes and/or increasing the capacity of tribal communities to offer behavioral health prevention and support services
• Veterans and Military Families – positively impacting the quality of life of veterans and improving military family strength

CNCS strongly encourages applicants to submit a Notification of Intent to Apply by Wednesday, April 20, 2016 via online form.

Deadline: Applications are due on May 4, 2016

MultiPlan's Rural Health Outreach Grant Program
Funding to help rural hospitals develop creative community outreach programs that encourage new services or reach new populations.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Apr 22, 2016
Sponsor: MultiPlan

Dental Faculty Development and Loan Repayment Program
Provides funding to plan, develop, and operate a dental faculty loan repayment program for faculty engaged in primary care dentistry, including general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, public health dentistry, and dental hygiene.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: May 31, 2016
Sponsor: Bureau of Primary Health Care

Water and Waste Revolving Loan Fund Grants
Grant funds to establish a lending program that will finance water or wastewater systems for rural communities.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: May 31, 2016
Sponsor: USDA Rural Utilities Service

Cooperative Agreements for Tribal Behavioral Health (Native Connections)
Awards funding for pilot projects designed to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance abuse, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native young people.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jun 2, 2016
Sponsor: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Fuel Up to Play 60 Grants
Offers funding to schools for the purchase of equipment that will enhance the long term implementation of a lunch or breakfast program.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jun 30, 2016
Sponsor: Fuel Up to Play 60

Semi-Annual Grant Program: Access to Care
Awards funding to projects that improve access to oral healthcare. Examples include screening programs, treatment programs, and dental clinics within a community healthcare facility.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jul 29, 2016
Sponsor: American Dental Association

AHRQ Small Research Grant Program (R03)
Supports different types of health services research projects, including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology. Rural and frontier areas are considered a priority population.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jul 16, 2018
Sponsor: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Summer Food Service Program
Funding to provide free, nutritious meals and snacks to help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need during the summer months.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Agriculture