The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) Program helps improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping non-profit corporations or higher education institutions in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through cooperative development.
Grant funds may be used to pay for the cost of establishing and operating centers for rural cooperative development. Centers may have the expertise on staff or they can contract out for the expertise, to assist individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of rural businesses, especially cooperative or mutually-owned businesses. Examples of technical and other services that the Centers can provide include:
- Conducting feasibility studies;
- Developing business plans;
- Providing leadership and operational improvement training; and
- Facilitating strategic planning.
A Center can be located in any area, but the individuals and business assisted must be located in an eligible rural area.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities:
- Creating More and Better Market Opportunities; Assisting Rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure;
- Advancing Racial Justice, Place- Based Equity, and Opportunity; Ensuring all Rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and
- Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice; Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to Rural communities.
Up to $5,800,000 was available in total funding in FY 2023.
Up to $5,800,000 was available in total funding in FY 2022.
Up to $5,800,000 was available in total funding in FY 2020.
Applicants who receive a grant will need to send regular financial and performance reports. Funds cannot be used for the following: