Below are several grant opportunities for rural communities! Also, note the webinars highlighting recent changes to the Universal Service Administrative Company’s Lifeline program to include broadband access.
From: RA.RD.DCWA2.RDCED [mailto:RDCED@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 3:35 PM
Subject: CED Matters - Funding, Publications, Events and Learning
CED Matters – Funding, Publications, Events and Learning (7/22)
FUNDING
1. SBA Announces $2M for Technology-Businesses Outreach, Assistance
As part of the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program, the U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded up to $200,000 to organizations in 21 states to provide outreach and technical assistance to science and technology-driven small businesses. With an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged firms, the FAST program provides funds to organizations helping businesses better prepare to compete for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. Read more...
2. Corporation for National and Community Service | New Pay For Success Funding Opportunity
The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) is excited to announce the 2016 Social Innovation Fund (SIF) Pay for Success (PFS) Administrative Data Pilot Grant Competition, which will provide up to $4.5 million in grants to eligible nonprofit organizations, including public or non-profit universities, faith-based organizations, and state and local governments (and other political subdivisions) for activities related to administrative data in order to develop high quality PFS projects. The goal of the Administrative Data Pilot competition to address an issue facing Pay for Success Projects – easy access to high-quality data for evaluation purposes. This competition is intended to support current PFS projects’ access to high-quality, less expensive data for evaluation purposes so they can improve the outcomes of their interventions. Through this competition, CNCS is seeking an entity (or entities) to centralize the administrative data access function, thereby mitigating the challenges faced by governments and other organizations in accessing and using administrative data.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPLY DEADLINE: Applicants are encouraged to send a Notice of Intent to Apply by Monday, July 25, 2016 at 5:00 PM EDT.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 5:00 PM EDT, Tuesday, August 16, 2016. Successful applicants will be notified by September 20, 2016.
3. Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants
HUD is making available through this NOFA $5,000,000 for FY2016 Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants. Through funding of national organizations with expertise in rural housing and community development, the Rural Capacity Building program enhances the capacity and ability of rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments, and Indian Tribes to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low- and moderate-income families and persons in rural areas. HUD expects to make approximately 5 awards from the funds available under this NOFA. Bonus Points: Two bonus points will be awarded for working with communities that are Preferred Sustainability Status Communities and/or Promise Zones, as described in Section V.D.3 of the General Section. Priority and/or bonus points will be considered only if the application meets or exceeds the Program's minimum fundable score based on the rating factors of this NOFA. The minimum score for an application to be considered for funding is 75. Please refer to page 17 of the application for more information. Read the NOFA.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 13, 2016
4. America’s Promise Job Driven Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announces the availability of approximately $100,000,000 in grant funds for America’s Promise Job-driven Grant Program. DOL expects to fund approximately 20-40 grants, with individual grant amounts ranging from $1 million to $6 million. This grant program is designed to create or expand regional partnerships between employers, economic development, workforce development, community colleges, training programs, K-12 education systems, and community-based organizations that make a commitment – or a “promise” – to provide a pipeline of workers to fill existing job openings, meet existing employer needs for expansion, fuel the talent needs of entrepreneurs, and attract more jobs from overseas. These funds will be used to cover tuition and the costs of training-related activities on a first-dollar basis ensuring that training and education are free to individuals. Participants may use other sources of aid—such as Federal financial aid—to cover supplies, books, room and board, and other training-related expenses. Read the NOFA.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 4:00 PM EDT, Tuesday, August 25, 2016.
5. Grant to Establish USDA RIDGE Center for Food/Nutrition Research
Purpose: Funds projects that expand and help disseminate info by the USDA Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE) Center, which gives grants to conduct research on major USDA food/nutrition programs. Eligibility: Private or public higher education schools. Funding: $600,000. Deadline: August 1, 2016.
6. USDA Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Rural Businesses
Purpose: This grant will provide funding to cooperatives and other organizations that provide technical assistance, like leadership training, feasibility studies, and developing business plans for socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas, especially those with poverty rates of 20% or higher. Eligibility: Cooperatives and cooperative development centers. Funding: Maximum of $175,000. Deadline: August 5, 2016, or electronically by August 1, 2016.
7. Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant
Purpose: Funds projects that conducts research or helps to clean up and reuse brownfields, i.e. former industrial sites. Eligibility: local governments or redevelopment agencies. Funding: $200,000 maximum. Deadline: August 10, 2016.
8. Laura Jane Musser Fund: Rural Initiative Program
Purpose: Funds projects in rural communities for economic development, business preservation, arts/humanities, public space improvements, and education. Eligibility: Government or nonprofit entities in communities with fewer than 10,000 people. Funding: Planning (Deadline: November 2, 2016.
9. USDA Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)
Purpose: Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDO’s) to provide microloans, training, and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs. Eligibility: See website. Funding: Up to $205,000 annually (with 15% matching); loans up to $50,000-$500,000 for MDOs; loans up to $50,000 to ultimate recipients. Deadline: Rolling (applications will be considered for next Federal fiscal quarter).
10. Rural Health Info Grants Database
Purpose: Compiles grants and opportunities for rural-based projects.
11. Community Facility Grant and Loan Program
Purpose: Provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities, including local food system facilities, in rural areas with populations under 20,000. Funding: Varies. Eligibility: Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, federally-recognized Tribes. Priority is given to small communities (populations of 5,500 or less) and low-income communities. Deadline: Rolling.
12. Rural Business Development Grant
Purpose: Supports development of small rural businesses, including projects related to land acquisition/development, community economic development, and feasibility studies. Funding: $10,000 to $500,000. Eligibility: governments/authorities, nonprofits, universities, federally-recognized tribes, rural cooperatives. Deadline: Applications are accepted through local or state Rural Development offices once every year.
13. Food Sovereignty Assessment Grant Program
Purpose: First Nations Development Institute, via the Tides Foundation, will fund Native communities looking to conduct food assessments to help build food healthier, more local, and culturally relevant food systems. Eligibility: Native American-controlled governments or organizations. Funding: $20,000 total; 20 grants. Deadline: August 10, 2016.
Purpose: Kresge Foundation seeks to fund nonprofit or government initiatives that build healthier and more equitable food systems, transportation infrastructure, and land use. Eligibility: Nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, government entities. Funding: Varies. Deadline: Rolling.
15. Jewel-Osco Community Grants
Purpose: Fund organizations promoting nutrition education, healthy eating, and local/sustainable conscientiousness. Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations. Deadline: Rolling.
16. Surdna Foundation/Sustainable Environment Grants
Purpose: Fund projects that develop regional food infrastructure, reduce barriers to access, strategize financing, or link organizations to more effectively advance regional food efforts. Preference is given to projects that address low-income communities of color and combine food supply efforts with infrastructure construction. Eligibility: Non-profit organizations. Funding: Need-based. Deadline: Rolling.
17. Health Care Service Grant for Rural Communities (Bureau of Primary Health Care)
Purpose: Funding is available for Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care. Eligibility: Government or nonprofit organizations. Priority will be given to projects serving the nation’s highest need populations. Funding: $197 million in total. Deadline: August 29, 2016.
18. Voices for Healthy Kids (VFHK) Grant
Purpose: Fund projects that advocate policies related to child obesity and VFHK priorities and support advocacy efforts. Funded by the American Heart Association and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Eligibility: non-profit organizations. Deadline: Rolling.
19. Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers/Ranchers and Veteran Farmers/Ranchers
Purpose: Funds organizations that provide training and technical assistance projects to socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers/ranchers. Interactive webinars will be held on July 29 at 2pm EST at (888)455-1685, passcode: 4725205 at this link. Eligibility: Higher education institutions and land grant, Tribal, and Hispanic-serving colleges/universities. Funding: $8.4 million total. Deadline: July 29, 2016.
20. Organic Certification Cost Share Programs (USDA AMS)
Purpose: Helps cover organic certification-related expenses. Eligibility: Producers and handlers. Funding: Up to 75% of certification costs. Deadline: Check with state department of agriculture.
21. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Farmer Rancher Grant Program
Purpose: Funds projects that research sustainable solutions to farm management. Funding: up to $7,500 for individual projects and up to $22,500 for group projects. Deadline: Varies.
22. Beginning Farmers Grants and Resources
Purpose: Provide financial and technical assistance to new or beginning farmers or ranchers. Priority is given to veterans, socially disadvantaged and women farmers or ranchers. Eligibility: See website. Deadline: See website.
23. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Purpose: Provides financial and technical assistance to help agricultural producers plan and implement conservation practices. Of primary interest is the funding of high tunnels (hoop houses), assistance to conserve monarch butterfly habitats, and support for producers who are transitioning to organic production. Funding: Varies. Eligibility: Agricultural producers. Deadline: Continuous.
24. Farm Storage Facility Loans
Purpose: Provides low-interest financing to build or upgrade permanent facilities to store or process agricultural products. Most recently, these loans made available funding for refrigerated vehicles. Funding: Up to $500,000 per loan. Eligibility: Please see eligibility requirements here. Deadline: Rolling.
25. USDA Microloans (FSA)
Purpose: USDA’s Farm Service Agency provides financial assistance for small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm ownership or operations. Non-traditional farm operations can include truck farms, farms, direct marketing farmers, Community Supported Agriculture, restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponic, organic, and/or vertical growing methods. Eligibility: Please see website. Funding: Maximum of $50,000. Deadline: Rolling.
26. Reducing Climate Change through Use of Agricultural Land Grant (USDA-NIFA)
Purpose: Fund projects that explore how to use land in an environmentally friendly way that promotes production and distribution of food. Projects should help reduce energy, water, and nitrogen fertilizer input in farming, and promote carbon sequestration. Eligibility: Research or land grant institutions. Funding: $8.4 million total. Deadline: Letter of intent due September 14, 2016. Application due November 17, 2016.
27. Economic Development Assistance Programs
Purpose: Provides financial assistance to projects that support: development and job creation in economically distressed areas. Eligibility: Tribal, state, local governments, educational institutions, non-profits with and without 501(c)(3) status. Funding: $100K to $3 million. Deadline: Rolling.
28. Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program (Economic Development Administration) Purpose: Provides financial and technical assistance to plan and implement EDA projects. Eligibility: Tribal, state, local governments, educational institutions, non-profits with and without 501(c)(3) status. Funding: up to $300,000. Deadline: Rolling.
29. Institute for Sustainable Communities Partnership for Resilient Communities
Applications due Friday, July 29, 2016.
Full details here.
The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is seeking to support community-based organizations to implement projects that will advance local resilience through a new grant and capacity-building program. ISC is requesting proposals for innovative, community-driven projects from place-based nonprofit organizations, with a target list of 20 cities. ISC is launching its new national program, The Partnership for Resilient Communities, by making two or three grants (of up to $250,000 per grant) to community-based groups.
30. Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants Program
Applications due Aug 16, 2016.
Full details here.
Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2016-2004840
As part of its national effort to build resilient coastal ecosystems, communities and economies, NOAA is announcing the availability of up to $8.5 million in funding for coastal and marine habitat restoration in 2016. NOAA is seeking proposals for habitat restoration projects under the Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency grant program. The proposed projects should reduce the risks to coastal communities from extreme weather events, changing environmental conditions and known or potential climate change effects. Funding will help communities reduce risks from extreme weather and climate hazards, and changing ocean conditions.
PUBLICATIONS
We are so proud to share this video from Washington State Office about what CED is for them. In the video, you will notice that program staff were interviewed as to how they view CED and what that looks like operationally. The video offers a diversity of perspectives but also communicates a common vision – “making all of the pieces in the community function together.” Special thanks to Paul Johnson (CED Lead) and our friends in Washington, nicely done!
2. ‘Economic Development’ Most Mentioned Topic in Mayoral State of City Speeches
A recently released analysis of mayoral State of the City addresses finds that economic development was the most frequently mentioned topic in such speeches for the third straight year. The National League of Cities’ (NLC) State of the Cities 2016 report reviews speeches from 100 mayors across the United States and in cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to more than 300,000. Economic development was mentioned in 75 percent of mayoral speeches, making it the biggest issue on mayors’ agenda – ahead of public safety (70 percent) and city budgeting (52 percent) – according to a NLC press release. Read more...
3. Bank of America Commits $40 Million for Youth Success
Bank of America has announced a three-year, $40 million commitment to connect a hundred thousand teens and young adults to the skills and employment experiences they need for twenty-first century jobs.
The funding will support a range of programs and initiatives, including summer internships, education and job training, and talent recruitment initiatives at BofA itself. Through its Student Leaders program, for example, the bank will connect nearly seven hundred community-minded high school juniors and seniors from across the country with paid summer internships at local nonprofits. Participants in the program also will gather in Washington, D.C., for a summit focused on leadership and building a more diverse and inclusive society. Funding over the three years of the initiative will be targeted to low-income communities that are disproportionately affected by barriers to workforce participation and nonprofits that are leveraging their expertise to connect youth with employment opportunities, including the Urban Alliance, Jobs for the Future, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America....
EVENTS/LEARNING
1. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) | Lifeline Program
Provides reduced rates for telecom services to eligible low-income consumers
Since 1985, the federal Lifeline Program has provided a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income consumers to ensure that all people across the United States have the opportunities and security that phone service brings, including being able to connect to jobs, family, health care, and emergency services. This benefit is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands. In today’s digital environment, there are still over 60 million people without a connection to the internet. The FCC enacted changes to the Lifeline Program to include broadband internet access as a Lifeline service to keep pace with ever-evolving technology and help narrow the digital divide. For more information, contact Jessica Zufolo at Jessica.Zufolo@usac.org.
Read the Fact Sheet. More information is available on the USAC website.
Upcoming Lifeline Program Webinars
July 27, 2016, 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT
Register Here
August 10, 2016, 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT
Register Here
September 14, 2016, 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT
Register Here
October 12, 2016, 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT
Register Here
November 9, 2016, 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT
Register Here
December 14, 2016, 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT
Register Here
2. WEBINAR / TELECONFERENCE: August 4, 2016 (1:00-2:00PM ET) – Agricultural Marketing Service e-Round Table
AMS administers programs and offers services that facilitate the marketing of agricultural products domestically and abroad. To ensure we are making our programs and services as widely available and effective as possible, AMS wants to engage in a two-way dialogue with Tribal Colleges and Universities as well as other institutions and organizations that serve Native American farmers and ranchers.
Fact Sheet: Creating Opportunities for American Farmers and Business
Please RSVP to this webinar and teleconference by contacting Kimberly Duncan, Outreach Specialist, by e-mail at Kimberly.Duncan@ams.usda.gov, or by phone at (202) 260-8605.
3. PROFIT: Crop Insurance, Financial Management Updates, and Food Safety Risk Prevention
The PROFIT series consists of eight in-person workshops and eight online webinars, each focused on risk management solutions unique to farmers, ranchers and food businesses in Indian Country.
In July, the series will offer two webinars:
· July 26, 2016 (2:00-4:00 PM CT): “Participating in New Market Ventures – How Best to Evaluate Your Risk”
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5158049113184893954
· July 27, 2016 (2:00-4:00 PM CT): “Business Planning and Tax Concerns for Farmers and Ranchers, New and Experienced”
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/896223296669343746
4. IN PERSON / WEBINAR: July 29, 2016 (1:00-3:00PM ET) – Rural Business Lending National Stakeholder Forum
Please join Doug O'Brien, Senior Policy Advisor for Rural Affairs, White House Domestic Policy Council, and Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Sam Rikkers at a national forum to announce the new final rule for the Business & Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program. The forum will highlight major changes to improve program delivery, make the regulations easier to understand, and reduce delinquencies. Additional information is available in the attached flyer.
To participate online, register at: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/njphkhxlsyvr&eom
5. Save the Date! Economic Assessment of Local Foods – Practical Tools and Advice for Local Food Practitioners Conference (Travel Scholarships Available)
We have posted a brief application online for the travel scholarships to the Economic Assessment of Local Foods – Practical Tools and Advice for Local Food Practitioners pre-conference workshop at the Food Distribution Research Society’s annual conference. Please go to the following website, http://www.localfoodeconomics.com/benchmarks/ and complete the brief survey (link is below the Save the Date graphic) by July 27, 2016.
6. Take Your Business Global - An Introduction to Exporting
This course is intended to be a guide for small businesses to help determine if exporting, as a business strategy, makes sense and whether the basic ingredients for export readiness are in-place.
7. Webinar | Unexpected Ways to Grow Your Blog Subscriber List
Register | Tuesday, July 26, 2016 | 2pm ET
How can we afford to write new content weekly? The internet is cluttered with advice on how to grow your blog subscriber list. In this webinar, you'll learn how to optimize and automate your content marketing to save your team time while building a truly efficient and effective content creation engine.
8. Webinar | Protecting Your Business Data in Todays Inter-Connected World
Register | Thursday, July 28, 2016 | 8:30am - 9:30am PST
The threat landscape in cyber-space keeps evolving. Cloud technologies are designed to continuously identify and mitigate risks, and can help small businesses leverage the best of breed security and privacy capabilities, while focusing on their core competencies. Join this webinar to learn more about how cybersecurity threats are evolving, what risks they pose, and best practices to protect your business information in the digital age.
For more CED-related content please subscribe to the following:
Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development
Cooperative Reports, Publications, and Statistics
Placed Based Initiatives & Regional Programs
Community Economic Development
To subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an email to RDCED@wdc.usda.gov.
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vTo subscribe to the RAC Health Listserv - click here to go to the subscription form.
vElectronic newsletter of Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. To subscribe click here.
v Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City newsletter: http://www.kansascityfed.org/alert/’
v Blue Avocado Nonprofit Magazine - They have a newsletter on boards and nonprofit management, down-to-earth and useful. http://www.blueavocado.org/
v Rural LISC e-newsletter - http://www.lisc.org/rural
v National Association for Development Organizations (NADO) – www.nado.org
v ERS - A notification service is provided by USDA's Economic Research Service for Charts of Note and other research to keep you informed of the latest and most relevant research on the topics that interest you. You can subscribe at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Updates/
v Orton Family Foundation – email sign-up - http://www.orton.org/sign_up
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