Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Resources from USDA

I apologize for the length of this email, but my colleagues at USDA have identified numerous publications, tools, learning and funding opportunities of relevance to rural communities. Of special note, there are several items focused on rural housing, asset based economic development, and rural food access.

 

Enjoy!

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

The Rural Differential: Drilling Down into the Data
Nov 19, 2012 -- RUPRI Rural Futures Lab is introducing a new monthly blog post that will focus on "the rural differential." Each month, they will focus on a particular social, economic, or demographic indicator and examine what the data shows them about rural America. The first post talks about data in general, and where do we get data for rural America?

 

Methodology for Designation of Frontier and Remote Areas - Nov 5, 2012 -- This notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration announces a request for public comment on a methodology derived from the Frontier and Remote (FAR) system for designating U.S. frontier areas.

 

Frontier Areas from 2010 U.S. Census - List of frontier counties, by state, with county population and population density information. Includes total state population and percent of population in frontier areas for each state. Organization: National Center for Frontier Communities

 

Uninsured in Rural America  -Uses a map and text to describe the rates of uninsured people in rural America. Includes a chart of fifty rural and exurban counties with the lowest rates of uninsured.
Organization: Center for Rural Strategies. Date: 10 / 2012 Journal: Daily Yonder

 

2012 Rural Futures Conference Proceedings
Oct 18, 2012 -- Posting on the Farm Bureau's Rural Community Building blog focuses on the Rural Futures Conference showing the interactive proceedings report that offers the opportunity to view videos of speakers, connect to backgrounder links, visit the lives of young residents that have a stake in the future of their rural communities, read about the discussions that took place and see who the 465 people are who participated in the formation of the Rural Futures Institute.

 

Underemployment in Urban and Rural America, 2005-2012 - Describes underemployment trends since 2005 among rural and urban workers. Organization: Carsey Institute. Date: 11 / 2012

 

Housing Assistance Council published “A Brief History of Rural Mutual Self-Help Housing in the United States” that provides an overview of the USDA program, including a brief narrative summary and detailed tables, updated through Fiscal Year 2011. Get the report here.

 

A report from The Carsey Institute finds that over sixteen million children live in poverty in 2011. The report uses American Community Survey data released on September 20, 2012 to address patterns of child poverty in rural and low-income households. Download a copy of the report here.  

 

Kansas City Federal Reserve Newsletter - Third quarter seriously delinquent mortgage rate maps for each state and 11 of the major metropolitan areas within the Tenth District have been released.  The maps show mortgages that are 90 days or more past due and those in foreclosure. http://www.kansascityfed.org/research/community/delinquency-maps.cfm?ealert=delmap11101

 

 

TOOL

 

CFED has published a guide that highlights strategies for homelessness prevention by integrating asset building into the delivery of other social services. “Integrating Financial Empowerment Strategies into Housing and Homelessness Prevention Programs,” authored by Jennifer Medina, Jennifer Brooks and Rick Haughey, can be found by clicking here.

 

 

LEARNING

 

Disaster Preparedness Speeds Economic Recovery. We'll show you how to create and sustain economic recovery. - Free. Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 2:30-4:00pm ET

A recent Gallup survey found that at least 30 percent of surveyed small businesses were closed for more than 24 hours due to an incident beyond their control. According to the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), approximately 25 percent of small businesses do not reopen following a major disaster. Many small businesses lack a plan to help them continue operations in the event of a major economic disruption.

In 2004, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce established the Business Continuity Planning Council in response to interest by local defense and IT contractors on this topic. A year later, they launched their first business continuity workshop. Since 2006, they have provided business continuity and preparedness training to hundreds of Charleston businesses.

During this webinar, attendees will:

• Learn how the chamber created an effective business continuity training program and how they successfully recruited local businesses;
• Gain a better understanding of the role of the economic development organization or chamber in these types of business continuity activities;
• Discover how to engage community partners such as the emergency management office and local media in marketing messages and promotional efforts;
• Learn how Charleston has encouraged local business owners to implement business preparedness activities.

To register for this free and exciting event, please visit the registration page.

 

 

FUNDING

 

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program - Application deadline: Nov 28, 2012
Grants to plan or implement food projects designed to meet the needs of low-income individuals and increase community self-reliance concerning food and nutrition.

 

Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA) - Application deadline: Dec 3, 2012
Grants to recognize exemplary and innovative revitalization achievements in revitalization of historic and older neighborhood commercial districts using a community-driven, historic-preservation based approach.

 

Shubert Foundation Accepting Theater Grant Applications - The foundation is accepting applications for general operating support funding from not-for-profit professional resident theater companies in the United States....Deadline: December 3, 2012

 

General Mills Foundation Accepting Applications for Champions for Healthy Kids - Fifty grants of $10,000 will be awarded to community-based nonprofit groups in the United States for programs to improve youth nutrition and physical fitness behavior.... Deadline: December 3, 2012

 

THE NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION is offering Youth Garden Grants through Home Depot. Five winners will receive gift cards valued at $1,000, and 95 winners will receive $500 gift cards, to purchase gardening materials and supplies from their local Home Depot store specific to the needs of their program. Deadline: 12/3/2012. Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities and inter-generational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years. For more information about these grants, click here.

 

Chesapeake Bay Trust Invites Applications for Community Engagement and Restoration Grant Programs
Grants of up to $50,000 are available for community engagement and restoration projects that address watershed challenges in and around the Chesapake Bay.... Deadline: December 7, 2012

 

Chesapeake Bay Trust Accepting Entries for Annual Awards Program - Awards, grants, and scholarships will honor students, teachers, individuals, communities, and organizations for their work to help restore the Chesapeake Bay.... Deadline: December 20, 2012

 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Invites Grant Proposals for Public Health Services and Systems Research - Grants of up to $450,000 are available for both short-term and more complex studies that examine the organization, finance, and delivery of public health services.... Deadline: December 18, 2012 (Brief Proposals)

 

Aspen Institute Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation Invites Applications for William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students
The fellowship, which includes a stipend of up to $4,000, is designed to introduce undergraduate and graduate students of color to issues and challenges affecting the social sector.... Deadline: December 14, 2012

 

American Hiking Society Offers Support to Maintain and Protect Hiking Trails
Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 are available to grassroots nonprofit organizations working to establish, protect, and maintain foot trails in the United States.... Deadline: December 15, 2012

 

Home Depot Foundation Accepting Applications for Community Impact Grants Program
Grants of up to $5,000 in the form of Home Depot gift cards are available for projects by community volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities, with an emphasis on housing and services for veterans.... Deadline: December 12, 2012

 

Fiskars Project Orange Thumb - Application deadline: Dec 15, 2012
Funding for gardens and/or gardening projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture, and/or horticultural education.

 

Annie's School Garden Grants - Application deadline: Dec 15, 2012. Offers grants to develop school garden projects.

 

THE MARY BYRON PROJECT is accepting applications for the Roth Award for Domestic Violence Programs Focused on Underserved Populations. A nonprofit or government program focused on reaching underserved victims of domestic violence will be honored with an award of $10,000. Deadline to apply: 12/21/2012.  For more information on this award, click here.

 

Misc. USDA Rural Development seeks program input:

 

Rural Utilities Service is proposing to change the regulations for the Community Connect Grant Program.  The revised Proposed Rule was published in the Federal Register earlier today (see more information below).  USDA Rural Development is gearing up to consult with Tribes on this important program in parallel with the comment period.  We are planning a pre-consultation teleconference/webinar for Tuesday, December 18th at 3:00 PM EST, with a Tribal Consultation teleconference/webinar to follow on Wednesday, January 16th at 3:00 PM EST.

The proposed changes to the Community Connect Grant Program have been published in the Federal Register.  Comments are due by January 15, 2013.  Please go to the following link:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-11-16/html/2012-27631.htm

 

 

PUBLICATIONS:

 

“One Small Town’s Many Changes” is the title of an article in The Institute for Comprehensive Community Development newsletter. The article features Tamaqua, Pennsylvania and how it managed to reverse an 80-year slide by renovating dozens of downtown buildings, opening an art center and installing historical markers throughout the community. To read the article, click here.  

 

Asset-Based Economic Development and Building Sustainable Rural Communities Part 1: Industry and Industry Clusters
A briefing paper from the ICMA Center for Sustainable Communities defining asset-based economic development that includes several case studies on industry and industrial clusters.
Organization: International City/County Management Association. Date: 11 / 2012

 

Asset-Based Economic Development and Building Sustainable Rural Communities Part 2: Natural Resources and Amenities
A briefing paper from the ICMA Center for Sustainable Communities that looks at natural resource strengths and working landscapes, which often provide the basis for rural economic activities. Includes one successful case study. Organization: International City/County Management Association. Date: 11 / 2012

 

Asset-Based Economic Development and Building Sustainable Rural Communities Part 3: Existing Infrastructure, Historic and Cultural Resources
A briefing paper from the ICMA Center for Sustainable Communities that examines assets connected to a communities’ history: existing infrastructure, such as their traditional compact development patterns and Main Streets; and historic and cultural resources. Organization: International City/County Management Association. Date: 11 / 2012

 

Profiles of Innovative Rural Vanpool Programs
Collection of success stories profiling innovative rural vanpool programs, which provide workers with a dependable ride to work.
Organization: Community Transportation Association of America

 

The First Steps to Meaningful Community Engagement - http://americancity.org/daily/entry/the-first-steps-to-meaningful-community-engagement

What does it mean to truly involve the public in planning processes? Neeraj Mehta finds "too much placation, manipulation and tokenism in our engagement efforts," and identifies principles for collective problem-solving and shared decision-making.

 

Revitalizing a Dead Mall (Don’t Expect Shoppers) - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/realestate/commercial/rackspace-revitalizes-a-defunct-mall-into-an-unorthodox-tech-campus.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1351884900-SVBAEQlI8R+M2zWbStRrKg

Five years ago, Graham Weston, the chairman and co-founder of Rackspace, had a wild vision to transform an abandoned mall into his company's headquarters. His unique approach has revitalized the adjacent city of Windcrest, a suburb of San Antonio. The project suggests that there might be hidden opportunities in the nation's glut of dead and dying malls and represents one of the country's largest and quirkiest recycling efforts.

 

Opportunities for rural wealth creation depend on location and timing of investment

As the location and boom-bust cycle in ethanol production demonstrates, opportunities for wealth creation (in this case, investing in physical business assets) can be influenced by both temporal and spatial factors. The ethanol production boom in the United States was stimulated by rising oil and gasoline prices relative to corn prices, efficiency improvements in ethanol processing technology, and Federal and State government policies that provided incentives for ethanol production. These temporally-specific drivers, together with comparative advantages of particular locations for ethanol processing--favorable access to corn production and transportation infrastructure--led to rapid expansion of ethanol plants in many rural communities, especially in the Corn Belt over the last decade. In rural places lacking these advantages, ethanol production was less likely to be profitable, and efforts to promote it could impede wealth creation. Even where such advantages exist, changes in the temporal context, such as changes in the relative price of ethanol and corn, have reduced profits and caused some plants to go out of business. A chart appears in "Creating Rural Wealth: A New Lens for Rural Development Efforts" in the September 2012 issue of ERS's Amber Waves magazine.

 

U.S. Bioenergy Statistics http://tinyurl.com/9yj8yn8 are a source of information on biofuels intended to present a picture of the renewable energy industry and its relationship to agriculture. Where appropriate, data are presented in both a calendar year and the relevant marketing year timeframe to increase utility to feedstock-oriented users. The statistics highlight the factors that influence the demand for agricultural feedstocks for biofuels production; for instance, numerous tables emphasize the relationship between energy and commodity markets. USDA

 

Policy efforts to address food deserts across Midwest (stats state by state) - http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/content/states-cultivate-healthy-options-food-deserts

 

U.S. food sales top $1.3 trillion in 2011

In 2011, U.S. retailers and foodservice establishments supplied $1.32 trillion of food to consumers in the United States. Since 2006, at-home food sales have accounted for just over half (51 percent) of total food expenditures, with the away-from-home market accounting for 49 percent. In 1960, the away-from-home market had a 26-percent share of total food expenditures. Rising incomes and busier lifestyles have led consumers to spend less time cooking and seek the convenience of food prepared away from home. Both at-home and away-from-home expenditures dipped in 2009 causing total food expenditures to fall--from $1.22 trillion in 2008 to $1.21 trillion in 2009. Total food expenditures rebounded to $1.25 trillion in 2010. A chart appears that is based on data from the ERS Food Expenditure Series data product, updated October 2012.

 

Agricultural inputs of all types are sold globally

All of the leading firms in food manufacturing and agricultural input industries are multinational, offering product sales spread across several continents. One indicator of the degree of globalization of agricultural input markets is the global distribution of agricultural input sales. In 2006, member countries of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA--United States, Canada, and Mexico) accounted for about 23 percent of the global seed market and 30-36 percent of global sales of agricultural chemicals, farm machinery, animal feed, and animal health pharmaceuticals (including those for nonfood animals). The Europe-Middle East-Africa market (which is mostly Europe) had the largest aggregate seed sales in 2006, whereas Asia-Pacific countries used the most fertilizers and bought the most farm machinery. Together, Asia-Pacific and Latin America are indicative of the developing-country share of global agricultural input markets. They account for 37-51 percent of global sales of crop seed and chemicals, farm machinery, fertilizers, and animal feed. A chart is found in the ERS report, Research Investments and Market Structure in the Food Processing, Agricultural Input, and Biofuel Industries Worldwide, ERR-130, December 2011.

 

Share of income from government transfer payments varies by region

Government transfer payments (such as medical benefits, retirement and disability insurance, and nutrition assistance programs) comprise a large share of personal income for both nonmetro and metro residents.  Transfer payments to individuals accounted for 25.6 percent of total nonmetro personal income and 16.8 percent of metro personal income, in 2010. Of the $2.2 trillion in Federal, State, and local government personal transfer payments to individuals in 2010, $415 billion went to nonmetro residents and $1.8 trillion went to metro residents. The counties with the highest percentage of total income from government transfer payments in 2010 were concentrated in Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta. The top three nonmetro counties with the highest percentage of total income from government transfer payments were located in eastern coal fields of Kentucky. These counties have high levels of disability payments along with very high unemployment and poverty rates. A chart is available from the Rural Poverty & Well-Being topic page on the ERS website.

 

 

 

LEARNING

 

WEBINAR: What Works for Job Creators? Experimenting with Integrated Delivery Systems for Microenterprise Services - Tuesday, December 4, 3:30-4:30 pm EST / 12:30-1:30 pm PST

CFED’s Self Employment Tax Initiative continues to explore and support new innovations that leverage the tax preparation moment to deliver entrepreneurship education and services to build the capacity of self-employed persons and small businesses. Over the past year, we’ve worked with several local partners to explore different delivery systems that integrate tax assistance, access to financial services and products and business counseling for greater impact:

  • Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union’s fiscally viable service model that offers small business tax assistance services for below-market fees and helps introduce clients to the financial products and services offered at the Credit Union
  • Maryland CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Coalition’s regional network of service providers to ensure that there is ‘no wrong door’ for low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs
  • Mission Economic Development Agency’s bundled essential tax assistance, financial education, financial products, business development and workforce development services

Though each program is in a different stage of development, there are plenty of lessons to be shared that can inform other practitioners’ efforts to identify the best ways to serve low- and moderate-income job creators. Join the moderator, Lauren Williams (CFED), for a discussion with the following practitioners:

  • Rebecca Pear, Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union
  • Robin McKinney, MD CASH Coalition
  • Dairo Romero, MEDA

Click here to register now! This webinar is co-sponsored by NeighborWorks America and the NYSE Foundation.

 

 

WEBINAR: Asset Building in Rural Communities: Exploring Barriers and Identifying Opportunities - December 13, 2012 ( Thursday), 1:00 PM – Eastern Time

Cynthia Needles Fletcher (Iowa State University)

Patricia Olson and Rosemary Heins (University of Minnesota)

 

About the webinar:

Expanding opportunities for families to build assets can lead to greater financial stability and can benefit local economics. Twelve focus group interviews; six with resident families and six with community leaders were conducted in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota rural communities. Findings will focus on identified priorities, barriers and opportunities to enhance asset building.

 

Registration: There is no registration and no fee for attending this webinar.

 

To join the webinar go to http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd, “enter as a guest” is by default already chosen. Type your name into the text box provided, and click on “Enter Room”. You are now in the meeting room for the webinar.

 

If you’ve never used Adobe Connect on the computer you will be using, please use the “Test your connection” link below and do a test connection to the actual meeting space well in advance of the scheduled meeting time. http://connect.msu.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm.  To facilitate Q&A’s, participants submit questions/comments via the Chat Function in Adobe Connect. The webinar will be recorded and archived at http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/chronological_archive.

 

SERIES OF WEBINARS: Register for OFN’s Winter Webinar series and bookmark the page so you can check back frequently for information about more new webinars in January including topics such as rural food retail and energy efficiency in food retail. While the content of these webinars is geared toward CDFIs, we welcome all partners interested in increasing access to healthy, affordable food in underserved areas. Webinar Opportunities for CDFIs: 

Underwriting Small and Emerging Farms: Learn about critical elements needed to underwrite food producers, particularly small and emerging farms which are often difficult to analyze and need customized loan structuring.  Thursday, November 29, 2012 @ 2pm ET

 ·         Presenters:  Denise Dukette, New England Bank & Gray Harris, Coastal Enterprises, Inc.

 

Financing Healthy Food Retail:  Program Design and Social Impact Measurement:  Find out about best practices for designing a healthy food financing program and measuring its social impact.  Presenters will draw upon The Reinvestment Fund’s years of experience in the healthy food sector. Thursday, December 6, 2012@ 2pm ET

·         Presenters:  Christina Szczepanski & Lance Loethen, The Reinvestment Fund

 

The Grocery Gap:  This webinar will explain the “Grocery Gap” and the strategies, both financial and operational, that can enable supermarkets to be successful in low-income, urban communities.

 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 @ 2pm ET

      Presenter:  Jeff Brown, UpLift Solutions

 

Underwriting Grocery Stores and Supermarkets:  Through case studies you will learn how to analyze grocery store retail operations from a cash collections cycle, appropriate activity/turnover metrics, and common risks to be identified and mitigated in this niche.  Tuesday, January 15, 2012 @ 2pm ET

·         Presenters:  Denise Dukette, New England Bank & Christina Szczepanski, The Reinvestment Fund

 

CDFIs and Public Health:  Learn how CDFIs can effectively talk about and work toward public health outcomes, better measure public health metrics among other social and economic impact goals, and engage public health professionals and community partners in their work. Thursday, January 24, 2012 @ 1pm ET

·         Presenters:  Stacy Taylor & Julia Koprak, The Food Trust    

 

 

FUNDING

 

Native Agriculture & Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI). Through the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, First Nations plans to make up to ten awards averaging $37,500 to support projects working to address food systems, food insecurity and food access in Native communities. The goal of the NAFSI project is to build local and systemic infrastructure in Native American communities to address food system control, food insecurity and food access, thereby benefiting Native American communities with increased access to healthy and fresh foods, greater awareness of and control over where their food comes from, while expanding knowledge of the linkages between food and Native cultures and between families’ income and entrepreneurially-related food ventures.

Native American-controlled, nonprofit 501(c)(3), tribal organizations designated as §7871 under the Internal Revenue Code, or community-based Native groups such as community garden projects, food banks and/or food pantries that serve their communities are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to projects aimed at increasing the availability of healthy, locally-produced foods in Native communities, reducing food insecurity, entrepreneurship and/or programs that create systemic change by increasing community control of local food systems. Moreover, this project will give priority to organizations that can assist and contribute to the development of emerging and promising practices in strengthening Native food systems.

Proposals will be accepted online and must be submitted by 5 p.m. Mountain Time on December 21, 2012.

First Nations Development Institute will host two conference calls for interested applicants. Conference calls provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the application, proposal criteria or other proposal related questions before the application deadline. Participation IS NOT mandatory; however applicants are encouraged to participate. Applicants can participate in one or both calls.

  • The first call will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2013 at 2 PM MT.
  • The second call will be held on Wednesday December 5, 2012 at 11 AM MT.

The call in number for both calls is: 1-877-427-7602 (toll-free). The Conference Code is 7315891721.

For additional information about this program, please email Raymond Foxworth, Senior Program and Research Officer, at rfoxworth@firstnations.org.

Click here for information on eligibility and to begin the application.

 

The Department of Agriculture has issued a NOFA for guaranteed loans under Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing for FY 2012.  Eligible lenders are invited to submit responses for new construction and acquisition with rehabilitation of affordable rural rental housing. The agency will review responses submitted by eligible lenders, on the lender's letterhead, and signed by both the prospective borrower and lender. Deadline to apply: 12/31/2012. For details on the program and an application, click http://tinyurl.com/d4kcd47

 

MetLife Foundation/National Alliance for Caregiving Innovations in Caregiving Awards - Application deadline: Jan 15, 2013
Provides start-up funds for caregiving programs that are based on best practices and adapted to the unique aspects of applicants' communities.

 

Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Implementation Funds Program, Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Planning Funds Program, Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Resident Funds Program - Application deadlines: Jan 31, 2013
Funding to support pediatricians and pediatric residents in the planning and implementing of community-based child health projects that increase access to medical homes and health services that are not otherwise available.

 

Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations in National Disasters Declared by the PresidentDisaster Assistance for Dentists Grant Program - Application deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Provides assistance to members of the dental profession who have lost property in a declared disaster and supports organizations that can provide emergency dental care in areas affected by disasters.

 

Our Town Grants - Application deadline: Jan 14, 2013
Grants for community-driven projects that involve arts engagement, cultural planning, or community design.

 

Continuum of Care Program - Application deadline: Jan 18, 2013
Provides grants for programs that assist individuals and families who are homeless by provide supportive care services as they move into transitional and permanent housing.

 

AmeriCorps State and National Grants - Application deadline: Jan 23, 2013
Funding for programs that can demonstrate community impact and solve community problems.

 

Multi-State Rural Development Research or Extension Projects North Central Region - Application deadline: Jan 31, 2013
Geographic Coverage: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
A competition for seed grants aimed at enhancing the ability of Land Grant institutions to positively influence the quality of life in rural areas of the twelve-state North Central region of the United States.

 

MetLife Foundation/National Alliance for Caregiving Innovations in Caregiving Awards - Application deadline: Jan 15, 2013
Provides start-up funds for caregiving programs that are based on best practices and adapted to the unique aspects of applicants' communities.

 

Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Implementation Funds Program, Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Planning Funds Program, Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Resident Funds Program - Application deadlines: Jan 31, 2013
Funding to support pediatricians and pediatric residents in the planning and implementing of community-based child health projects that increase access to medical homes and health services that are not otherwise available.

 

Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations in National Disasters Declared by the PresidentDisaster Assistance for Dentists Grant Program - Application deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Provides assistance to members of the dental profession who have lost property in a declared disaster and supports organizations that can provide emergency dental care in areas affected by disasters.

 

Our Town Grants - Application deadline: Jan 14, 2013
Grants for community-driven projects that involve arts engagement, cultural planning, or community design.

 

Continuum of Care Program - Application deadline: Jan 18, 2013
Provides grants for programs that assist individuals and families who are homeless by provide supportive care services as they move into transitional and permanent housing.

 

AmeriCorps State and National Grants - Application deadline: Jan 23, 2013
Funding for programs that can demonstrate community impact and solve community problems.

 

Multi-State Rural Development Research or Extension Projects North Central Region - Application deadline: Jan 31, 2013
Geographic Coverage: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
A competition for seed grants aimed at enhancing the ability of Land Grant institutions to positively influence the quality of life in rural areas of the twelve-state North Central region of the United States.

 

Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program -Application deadline: Feb 1, 2013
Grants to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will provide supportive services to very low-income veterans and their families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing.

 

Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations in National Disasters Declared by the President - Application deadline: Sep 13, 2013
Grants to provide disaster relief and assistance funds to those State Units on Aging (SUAs) and tribal organizations who are currently receiving a grant under Title VI of the Older Americans Act.

 

Community Facility Loans, Environmental Infrastructure Loans, Rural Community Assistance Corporation Housing Loans
Geographic Coverage: Available in 13 western states. See program website for details.
Application deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
Loans to help create and improve essential community facilities, including water and waste facilities as well as affordable housing, in the rural West.

 

William T. Grant Foundation Accepting Letters of Inquiry for Studies on the Use of Research Evidence in Policy and Practice Affecting Youth
Grants of $100,000 to $600,000 will support theory-building studies of factors that affect policy makers' and practitioners' interpretation and use of research evidence relevant to youth....
Deadline: January 3, 2013 (Letters of Inquiry)

 

Big Read Accepting Grant Applications for Community-Wide Reading Programs -Seventy-five grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations for community-wide reading programs that encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences....Deadline: February 5, 2013

 

Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program -Application deadline: Feb 1, 2013
Grants to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will provide supportive services to very low-income veterans and their families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing.

 

Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations in National Disasters Declared by the President - Application deadline: Sep 13, 2013
Grants to provide disaster relief and assistance funds to those State Units on Aging (SUAs) and tribal organizations who are currently receiving a grant under Title VI of the Older Americans Act.

 

Community Facility Loans, Environmental Infrastructure Loans, Rural Community Assistance Corporation Housing Loans
Geographic Coverage: Available in 13 western states. See program website for details.
Application deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
Loans to help create and improve essential community facilities, including water and waste facilities as well as affordable housing, in the rural West.

 

William T. Grant Foundation Accepting Letters of Inquiry for Studies on the Use of Research Evidence in Policy and Practice Affecting Youth
Grants of $100,000 to $600,000 will support theory-building studies of factors that affect policy makers' and practitioners' interpretation and use of research evidence relevant to youth....
Deadline: January 3, 2013 (Letters of Inquiry)

 

Big Read Accepting Grant Applications for Community-Wide Reading Programs -Seventy-five grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations for community-wide reading programs that encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences....Deadline: February 5, 2013

 

THE SURDNA FOUNDATION offers funding to nonprofit organizations that seek to help communities build wealth in a sustainable manner. The Surdna Foundation’s Strong Local Economies program aims to help create communities of opportunity that offer good jobs within reach for low- and moderate-income residents, and provide sustainable development solutions that enable people to easily travel between their homes and jobs, schools, and day-to-day services. Deadline: Letters of Inquiry accepted year around. For more information on the application process, click here.

 

THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS is offering grants to nonprofits to provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families, especially those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. Both initial and renewal grants are available. Deadline: 2/1/2013. Click here for an application and funding guidelines.

 

SEARCH Grants Available for Planning Water and Wastewater Projects.  USDA has funding for SEARCH grants in fiscal year 2013. This is a new program that makes predevelopment planning grants to financially distressed communities in rural areas with a population of 2,500 or fewer.  Funds may be used for feasibility studies, design assistance, and technical assistance related to water and wastewater projects that would normally be eligible for Rural Development funds.  Eligible applicants include public agencies, nonprofits and Indian tribes. Funds may be used to cover up to 100 percent of the eligible costs for a preliminary engineer report and engineer report not to exceed $30,000. The community must demonstrate that it cannot pay for the work from other readily available sources. 

Suzette M. Agans
Rural Development | Community and Economic Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W. Stop 3254 | Washington, D.C. 20250
Phone: 202.401.1922 | Fax: 202.401.7311
www.rurdev.usda.gov

"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"

 





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