Sorry I'm getting this out late! From our colleagues from USDA- Rural Development.
From: RA.RD.DCWA2.RDCED [mailto:RDCED@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, October 21, 2016 8:22 AM
Subject: CED Matters – Funding, Publications, Events and Learning
Community Economic Development (CED) Matters – Funding, Publications, Events and Learning (10/21)
FUNDING
1. 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. 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.
2. Apply for Technical Assistance to Create Walkable, Healthy, Vibrant Communities
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites communities to apply for technical assistance through three programs that create economic opportunities, make neighborhoods more walkable, help people live healthier lives, and revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods.
Eligibility: See each program's application for specific eligibility requirements.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST on November 6, 2016.
How to apply: Submit a completed application and optional letters of support (see each program's application for specific instructions).
Ø Local Foods, Local Places helps communities create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant neighborhoods through the development of local food systems. This initiative is supported by EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority. Learn how to apply for the Local Foods, Local Places Program
Ø Cool & Connected helps small towns use broadband service to revitalize small-town main streets and promote economic development. The initiative is supported by EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service, and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Learn how to apply for the Cool & Connected Program
Ø Healthy Places for Healthy People is a new program to help communities partner with community health centers (including Federally Qualified Health Centers), nonprofit hospitals, and other health care facilities to create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant places. The program is supported by EPA and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Under this program, communities will receive planning assistance to develop action plans focusing on health as an economic driver and catalyst for downtown and neighborhood revitalization. Healthy Places for Healthy People will focus on communities that are economically challenged, including those in rural Appalachia. Learn how to apply for the Healthy Places for Healthy People Program
3. Bush Foundation Accepting Applications for Community Innovation Grant Program
POSTED: October 11, 2016
DEADLINE: Open
Grants of up to $200,000 will be awarded in support of inclusive, collaborative projects that use community assets to address a community need or opportunity....
4. Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries Accepting School Library Grant Applications
POSTED: October 12, 2016
DEADLINE: December 12, 2016
Grants of up to $7,000 will be awarded to help school libraries expand, update, and diversify their book collections....
5. CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation Invites Applications for Teacher Technology Grants
POSTED: October 8, 2016
DEADLINE: January 12, 2017
Grants will be awarded to K-12 teachers to help fund classroom projects that advance student success through the innovative use of technology....
POSTED: October 9, 2016
DEADLINE: February 1, 2017
Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded for educational projects that enhance the quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injury or disease....
POSTED: October 10, 2016
DEADLINE: February 3, 2017
A single grant of $3,500 will be awarded for a creative initiative that addresses prevention, early intervention, and treatment for mental and behavioral health disorders among college students....
8. National League of Nursing Invites Applications for Education Projects
POSTED: October 14, 2016
DEADLINE: February 9, 2017
Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded in support of high-quality studies that contribute to the development of nursing education....
9. Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Accepting Mini-Grant Applications
POSTED: October 12, 2016
DEADLINE: March 31, 2017
Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to educators in support of special activities and events for their students outside the standard curriculum....
10. Runnerclick Accepting Submissions for Scholarship Program
POSTED: October 11, 2016
DEADLINE: April 30, 2017
Three scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded for essays that best address how staying active through sports can be a beneficial part of life in many ways, for many different reasons....
11. Mountaineers Foundation Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Projects
POSTED: October 9, 2016
DEADLINE: February 1, 2017
Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded in support of short-term projects related to conservation education that are consistent with the organization's vision and mission....
12. USDA Seeks Applications for Next Round of Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of up to $16.7 million in competitive grant funding to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by families and households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The funding will be awarded to eligible nonprofits and governmental organizations through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program, administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Applications are due by Dec. 12, 2016.
13. USDA Announces Streamlined Guaranteed Loans and Additional Lender Category for Small-Scale Operators
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of a streamlined version of USDA guaranteed loans, which are tailored for smaller scale farms and urban producers. The program, called EZ Guarantee Loans, uses a simplified application process to help beginning, small, underserved and family farmers and ranchers apply for loans of up to $100,000 from USDA-approved lenders to purchase farmland or finance agricultural operations. USDA also unveiled a new category of lenders that will join traditional lenders, such as banks and credit unions, in offering USDA EZ Guarantee Loans. Microlenders, which include Community Development Financial Institutions and Rural Rehabilitation Corporations, will be able to offer their customers up to $50,000 of EZ Guaranteed Loans, helping to reach urban areas and underserved producers. Banks, credit unions and other traditional USDA-approved leaners, can offer customers up to $100,000 to help with agricultural operation costs.
14. Youth Educator Grant Program (North Central Sustainable Research & Education)
Purpose: Provide opportunities for youth educators to research and provide programming for youth on sustainable agriculture. Eligibility: Professional educators, farmers/ranchers, home schoolers, other youth, nonprofit educators. Funding: $2,000 maximum. Deadline: Proposals due November 10, 2016.
15. Safer School Garden Grant (Safer Brand)
Purpose: Provides funding to start a school garden to help students be more active, be more environmentally-conscious, and build healthy eating habits. Eligibility: Schools that are not past winners. Funding: $500 grant. Deadline: December 1, 2016.
16. Farm to School Grants (USDA)
Purpose: Fund projects that improve access to local foods in schools. Priority funding is given to projects that: are submitted by state agencies, involve specific FNS programs (like CACFP or Summer Meals), collaborate with service programs, serve high-poverty communities, involve innovative strategies, or impact multiple schools. Eligibility: Schools, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers, and non-profit organizations. Funding: $5 million in grants. Deadline: December 8, 2016.
17. 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 (<$5000); Implementation (<$25,000). Deadline: November 2, 2016.
18. Community Food Projects Grants (USDA)
Purpose: Project and planning grants to fund projects that improve access to food and/or participation in Federally assisted nutrition programs for low-income individuals. Eligibility: Public food program service providers, tribal organizations, or private nonprofit organizations. Please see RFA. Funding: $8.6 million in total grants; 100% match required. Deadline: November 30, 2016.
19. Culture of Health Prize (RWJF)
Purpose: Recognizes standout communties that are addressing broad health needs in education, employment, family/social support, and community safety. Eligibility: Cities and towns/incorporated places and federally recognized tribes. Funding: $25,000. Deadline: November 3, 2017.
20. Specialty Crop Research Initiative Grants (USDA-NIFA)
Purpose: Funds systems-based research and extension activities to accelerate science-based solutions and new technology for the specialty crop industry. Eligibility: Land grant institutions, for-profit organizations including small businesses, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher ed, state agricultural experiment stations. Funding: $48.1 million in total funding (100% match required). Deadline: November 15, 2016.
21. Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program (USDA-NIFA)
Purpose: Funds project providing training, education, outreach, and mentoring programs to enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers. Priority given to veterans, socially disadvantaged and women farmers or ranchers. Eligibility: Collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally-based networks or partnership of qualified public and/or private organizations. Funding: $17.7 million total. A 25% match is required. Deadline: December 8, 2016
PUBLICATIONS
1. Growing Rural Economies and Opportunities through Social Media
From Facebook to Snapchat, rural businesses are exploring how to use social media to improve their customer's experience and expand their customer base. Over the last eight years, USDA and the Obama Administration have partnered with rural communities to build more opportunities that support rural small business owners, farmers and ranchers through applied research.
2. Food insecurity fell in 2015 for minority-headed households and households with children
The prevalence of food insecurity in the United States declined from 14.0 percent of households in 2014 to 12.7 percent of households in 2015. Some types of households saw greater declines than others. Food insecurity for both Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics dropped from 2014 to 2015: the former declined from 26.1 to 21.5 percent, while the latter from 22.4 to 19.1 percent. Households with children younger than 18 saw a significant decline in food insecurity—from 19.2 percent in 2014 to 16.6 percent in 2015. Among these households, those headed by single mothers saw their food insecurity prevalence drop from 35.3 percent to 30.3 percent. The prevalence of food insecurity for households with children under 6 years old dropped from 19.9 to 16.9 percent as well.
3. Pew Research Highlights State of American Jobs, Skills
The majority of Americans say new skills and training are critical to their future job success and to remain competitive in changing workplaces, according to a new report issued by the Pew Research Center in association with the Markle Foundation. This was particularly true for individuals working in STEM occupations, where roughly two-thirds of employed adults responded that ongoing training and skills development would be essential to their development. The State of American Jobs combines an analysis of government economic data with a survey of more than 5,000 adults conducted during the summer of 2016. The report includes: analysis on trends in job and wage growth by occupations; public assessments of the job situation and worker readiness; views on job satisfaction; the types of skills required for work; and, public views about the value of college education. Read more...
EVENTS/LEARNING
1. October is National Cooperative Month!
As part of this month's celebration, USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is holding a series of training and informational webinars to showcase the many important ways cooperatives empower our daily lives. For the full calendar of events for Co-op Month, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/cooperative-programs, or to request special accommodations, please contact rdced@wdc.usda.gov.
Ø Oct. 25, 2016 #CoopYouth: Telling our Stories
2-3:15 pm EST Facilitator: Scott Cessarich, RBS Cooperative Programs
Speakers: Jesus Lucero, USA Cooperative Youth Council, Hnin Hnin, Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive, and Morgan Crawford, North American Students of Cooperation
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/57tvjzrooxe4&eom
Ø Oct. 27, 2016 Celebrating Diversity: Race and Ethnicity in the Cooperative Movement
10:30 am-12 pm EST Facilitator: Claudette Fernandez, RBS Cooperative Programs / Community Economic Development
(Whitten Bldg - 107A) Speakers: Cornelius Blanding, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Mai Nguyen, California Center for Cooperative Development, and Nikki Marin Baena, Southern Reparations Loan Fund
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/8gljluzevxt8&eom
2. NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Informational Webinar
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program helps fund organizations implementing programs throughout the United States that train beginning farmers and ranchers, through workshops, educational teams, training and technical assistance. Eligible applicants include collaborative state, tribal, local or regionally-based networks or partnerships of public or private entities such as state cooperative extension services, community-based organizations, colleges or universities; and other organizations providing services to beginning farmers and ranchers. NIFA will host a free informational webinar for interested applicants on Oct. 26 from 1-3 p.m. EST.
3. Webinar Series Will Get You Ready and Set to "GO" on a Community Food Sovereignty Assessment
First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has scheduled a new series of four free First Nations Knowledge webinars that will help Native organizations and tribal communities get ready and set to "GO" on conducting a Community Food Sovereignty Assessment, with the last in the series focusing on moving forward with action planning after the assessment. Please register for each webinar individually:
Ø November 15, 2016 @ 1:00 p.m. MST
"Set! Designing your Community Food Sovereignty Assessment"
Identifying priority issues for focus in the CFSA; designing the assessment tools, methods and questions; publicizing the work and setting up logistics for success. An organization or tribe will share experiences and best practices. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7049058483607326210
Ø December 13, 2016 @ 1:00 p.m. MST
"Go! Conducting Your Community Food Sovereignty Assessment"
Conducting the assessment; analyzing the data; dissemination and confidentiality of data; how to use data for strategic/project planning and grant proposals; how to use data for policy development. An organization or tribe will share experiences and best practices. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3422440325667269378
Ø January 17, 2017 @ 1:00 p.m. MST
"Moving Forward! Community-Based Policy and Action Plans"
Developing action plans from the CFSA data; experience gained through community engagement during the CFSA. This webinar will highlight success stories from two organizations or tribes. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2798412501323018754
4. White House Rural Council Innovation Exchange
We invite you to join a White House Rural Council Innovation Exchange for a discussion with rural experts on the unique challenges and opportunities rural communities face and the innovative and strategic approaches that have led to successful outcomes in small towns across America. While the presentation will focus on Federal engagements with rural and tribal communities, staff working with resource-strained or high-need urban and suburban communities are encouraged to attend as several strategies presented will be transferrable.
Ø Logistics: Tuesday, October 25th from 1:30pm-2:30pm EST. Call-in: (877) 369-5243; Code: 0964758#. Please respond to this calendar invite to RSVP.
Ø Format: Agency presentations followed by audience Q&A. Participants are encouraged to submit questions and/or your own rural success stories in advance to BWyman@ceq.eop.gov.
Ø Presenters:
Bert Wyman, White House Rural Council
Stephanie Bertaina, Office of Sustainable Communities, EPA
Claudette Fernandez, Community Economic Development, USDA
Max Finberg, AmeriCorps VISTA, CNCS
Jennifer Hughes, National Endowment for the Arts
Jason Walsh, White House Domestic Policy Council
Ø Pre-reading: In advance of this session, we invite you to read the White House Rural Council's Rural Strategies that Work memorandum, released earlier this month. Authored by the Chair of the White House Rural Council and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, OMB Director Donovan, Domestic Policy Council Director Muñoz and National Economic Council Director Zients, the memo details how agencies have addressed rural challenges such as limited institutional capacity, geographic isolation, low population density and persistent poverty.
5. 2017 BFRDP Applicant Webinars Announcement
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) staff at NIFA will give a webinar to present information for the FY17 Request for Applications. The webinars are for applicants and their partners involved in networks and collaborations that offer education, training and technical assistance to new farmers. October 26, 2016 | 2-3:30 PM (ET)
6. Applicant Process Webinar November 16, 2016 | 1-2:00 PM (EST)
This webinar is hosted by the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project as part of a BFRDP Education Enhancement Team. There are resources and tools to support inexperienced applicants with the application process. Visit New Entry's BFRDP Assistance Page at https://nesfp.org/BFRDP for more information and assistance from this project.
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
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