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 agencies. 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. Funds MUST be obligated by June 30th.
2. Turnaround Management Association Invites Nominations for 2017 Excellence in Teaching Awards
The annual $5,000 prize honors teachers who have demonstrated an ability to change students' lives and the communities where they teach....
POSTED: April 21, 2017
DEADLINE: June 12, 2017
3. Fuel Up to Play 60 Invites Applications for K-12 Healthy Food Programs
Grants of up to $4,000 per year will be awarded to qualified K-12 schools to jumpstart healthy changes....
POSTED: April 15, 2017
DEADLINE: June 14, 2017
4. SBA – Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act (PRIME)
PRIME provides grant funding to nonprofit, microenterprise development organizations for the purpose of (i) providing training and technical assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs; (ii) providing training and capacity building assistance to microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) and programs; and (iii) aiding in Research and development of best practices for microenterprise and technical assistance programs for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Bonus points are awarded to organizations proposing to strengthen the capacity of cooperatives serving economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and areas; and/or to support entrepreneurship among ex-offenders in the criminal justice system. Applications close on June 16, 2017.
5. SBA Announces Funding Opportunity under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program
The Small Business Administration has identified on www.grants.gov (FAST-2017-R-0011) a funding opportunity under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. SBA expects that approximately $2,000,000 may be available for this program in FY 2017. At that funding level, SBA would expect to make approximately 16 awards with a maximum award amount of $125,000.
As set forth in the Small Business Act (Rev.13) FAST awards seek to enhance the following: Outreach, financial support and technical assistance to technology-based small business concerns participating in or interested in participating in an SBIR/STTR program. Applications Deadline: June 20, 2017
Eligible applicants must:
Ø Be a public or private entity, organization, or individual that intends to use funding awarded under this Announcement to increase SBIR/STTR proposals and awards within a single or multiple states and provide outreach, financial support, and/or technical assistance to technology based small business concerns related to women and individuals who are socially or economically disadvantaged, as well as underrepresented geographies, to participate in SBIR/STTR programs; and
Ø Be endorsed by the appropriate state governor or their authorized designee as the only approved applicant from that state.
Internal Revenue Service Publishes Guidelines for Organizations Interested in applying for Low-Income Tax Clinic Matching Grant for 2018 Grant Year. The Internal Revenue Service IRS has made available the 2018 Grant Application Package and Guidelines (Publication 3319) for organizations interested in applying for a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) matching grant for the 2018 grant year, which runs from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018. The application period runs May 1, 2017, through June 20, 2017. Application Deadline – June 20, 2017.
7. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FUND has announced the availability of funding through the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program. This program provides tax incentives for investments in business or economic projects in distressed rural or urban counties, including capital investments in healthcare facilities. Investors give to Community Development Entities who then offer low-interest financing to businesses. Deadline: 6/21/2017. Visit the website here for details.
8. STATE FARM is offering grants through the "State Farm Neighborhood Assist," a program which provides grants of $25,000 for projects related to safety, community development or education. The program awards grants to 40 nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood projects involved in education, safety and community development. Deadline: 6/21/2017, or until 2,000 applications are received, whichever comes first. For more information on this opportunity, click here.
9. Dept. of Education – Upward Bound Program
Department of Education Identifies $14.2 Million in Funding for Investment in the Veterans Upward Bound Program. The Department of Education will publish an announcement in the May 22 FEDERAL REGISTER inviting applications under the Veterans Upward Bound Program. The Department has identified $14.2 million for investment. The contact is Kenneth.Foushee@ed.gov. Application Deadline: June 22, 2017. The Upward Bound (UB) Program is one of the seven programs known as the Federal TRIO Programs. The UB Program is a discretionary grant program that supports projects designed to provide students with the skills and motivation necessary to complete a program of secondary education and to enter into, and succeed in, a program of postsecondary education. There are three types of grants under the UB Program: UB; Veterans UB; and UB Math and Science (UBMS) grants. In this notice, the Department is inviting applications for Veterans UB (VUB) grants only.
10. Social and Economic Development Strategies -SEDS
The Administration for Native Americans (ANA), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 funds for new community-based projects under the ANA Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) program. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is focused on community-driven projects designed to grow local economies, strengthen Native American families, including the preservation of Native American cultures, and decrease the high rate of current challenges caused by the lack of community-based businesses, and social and economic infrastructure in Native American communities. Native American communities include American Indian tribes (federally-recognized and non-federally recognized), Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and Native American Pacific Islanders. Application Deadline: June 22, 2017
11. Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance
The Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans announces the availability of funds for community-based projects for the Native Language Preservation and Maintenance program. The Native Language Preservation and Maintenance program provides funding for projects to support assessments of the status of the native languages in an established community, as well as the planning, designing, restoration, and implementing of native language curriculum and education projects to support a community's language preservation goals. Native American communities include American Indian tribes (federally-recognized and non-federally recognized), Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and Native American Pacific Islanders. Application Deadline: June 22, 2017
12. Regional Innovation Strategies 2017 funding available
The Economic Development Administration is seeking applications through June 23 for the 2017 Regional Innovation Strategies program. Through SSTI’s work with Congress, a record $17 million is available this year. Along with increased funding, the notice of funding availability includes a few changes from previous years.
22. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES is offering grants through the Tribal Self-Governance Program Planning Cooperative Agreement. The purpose of the program is to award cooperative agreements that provide planning resources to Tribes interested in participating in the Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP), which gives tribes the authority to manage and tailor healthcare programs in a manner that best fits the needs of their communities. Deadline: 6/23/2017. Click here for application guidelines published in the Federal Register.
13. EDA: Regional Innovations Strategies (RIS) – 2 pots of funds
The $17 million being made available through the RIS NOFA will help to spur innovation capacity-building activities in regions across the nation. Under this competition, EDA is seeking applications for two separate funding opportunities: the i6 Challenge and the Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grant competition. Application Deadlines: June 23, 2017. Prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to the Notice of Funding Availability on grants.gov for more details on both the i6 Challenge and Seed Fund Support grants, including eligibility, matching-fund requirements, application and submission deadlines, and other information. Funding for both programs is available to all communities regardless of level of distress. EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship leads the RIS program to spur innovation capacity-building activities in regions across the nation.
Ø i6 Challenge ($13M): Across the country, regions and communities are helping entrepreneurs overcome challenging barriers to help build new companies and create jobs through the efforts of universities, National Labs, state and local governments, incubators, and various other organizations. The i6 Challenge helps drive these efforts by supporting the creation and expansion of programs that increase the rate at which innovations, ideas, intellectual property, and research are translated into products, services, viable companies, and, ultimately, jobs.
Ø Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grant Competition ($4M): The availability of funding for early-stage companies is an essential element of a healthy innovation-based regional ecosystem. Taking an idea or innovation from conception to market often requires capital, but in many regions across the country, innovators and entrepreneurs struggle to find that capital. SFS grants provide funding for technical assistance and operational costs that support the planning, formation, launch, or scale of cluster-based seed funds that will invest their capital in innovation-based startups with a potential for high growth.
14. Finish Line Youth Foundation Invites Applications for Youth Athletic Programs and Camps
Grants of up to $75,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations for youth athletic programs and sports-based camps, with priority given to those serving disadvantaged children and children with special needs. Application Deadline: June 30, 2017.
15. Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program
Provides funding to community-based, outreach education and extension programs at land-grant colleges and universities that provide individuals and families based in rural areas with information on health, wellness, and prevention, including information regarding the issue of substance abuse in rural communities.
Geographic Coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jun 30, 2017
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
23. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION is also offering grants through the Small, Rural School Achievement Program that provides support to local educational agencies to address the unique needs of rural school districts. Deadline: 6/30/2017. Click here to review application guidelines.
24. WELLS FARGO is providing financial resources to local nonprofit housing organizations to create affordable and sustainable homeownership opportunities for low-to-moderate income (LMI) people through its Homeownership Counseling Grant Program (HCGP). This is a small grants program with an average size of approximately $7,500. The grants are provided for costs directly associated with programs or projects focused on homebuyer counseling, homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention activities. Deadline: 6/30/2017. To learn more and apply, click here.
25. National Park Service Community Assistance in Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation. Project applicants may be state and local agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations, or citizen groups. National Parks and other Federal agencies may apply in partnership with other local organizations. Due June 30.
26. Woodard & Curran Foundation Invites Applications for Clean Water Initiatives
Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded for projects focused on protecting and promoting clean water sources. Application Deadline: July 1, 2017.
27. THE BIG LOTS FOUNDATION is offering support in the form of monetary gifts, gift cards and merchandise in-kind to nonprofit organizations affecting hunger, housing, healthcare or education. Organizations must serve areas where Big Lots operates stores (across the U.S.), distribution centers or their corporate office. Deadline: 7/1/2017. To learn more about eligibility and to apply, click here.
28. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION is offering grants of up to $200,000 per year for a maximum of three years to recovery community organizations (RCOs) that have been designated as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for at least two years, and are controlled and managed by members of the addiction recovery community. The grant’s purpose, as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act: Building Communities of Recovery (BCOR), is to mobilize resources within and outside of the recovery community to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery support from substance abuse and addiction. Required activities include peer recovery support services and non-clinical recovery support services. Deadline: 7/3/2017. To learn more and apply, click here.
29. Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act: Building Communities of Recovery (BCOR)
Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Grants to support the development, enhancement, expansion, and delivery of substance abuse recovery support services, as well as promotion of and education about recovery. Application Deadline: July 3, 2017
Ø For program questions: Matthew.clune@samhsa.hhs.gov
Ø For grants management or budget questions: Eileen Bermudez, 240.276.1412, FOACSAT@samhsa.hhs.gov
30. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE is offering grants through the Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program, which provides support for reentry services and programs that will reduce recidivism by facilitating the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals as they return to their communities. Deadline: 7/5/2017. Click here for funding guidelines.
31. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES is offering grants through the Street Outreach Program to nonprofit and public agencies to provide services to homeless and near-homeless youth on the streets. Deadline: 7/11/2017. Click here to review funding guidelines.
32. Transitional Living Program and Maternity Group Homes
Grants to provide services through transitional living programs or maternity group homes for runaway and homeless youth.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jul 14, 2017
Sponsors: Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
33. Rural Housing Preservation Grants (Section 533)
Grants to organizations that work to assist rural low-income homeowners and renters to repair and rehabilitate their homes.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jul 17, 2017
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Housing and Community Facilities Programs
34. Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grants
Provides grants to improve telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas through the use of telemedicine, computer networks, and related advanced technologies.
Geographic Coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jul 17, 2017
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development, USDA Rural Utilities Service
35. USDA Offers $500K in Grant Funding for Rural Telemedicine
The USDA is accepting proposals for up to $500,000 in grant money to fund rural telemedicine initiatives.
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) within the USDA has announced that healthcare organizations can apply for grants between $50,000 and $500,000 for the purpose of expanding rural telemedicine programs to improve access to education and care. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program opened a call for submissions from stakeholders to provide rural communities with technologies that connect teachers and healthcare providers with other professionals. DLT grants help encourage stakeholders to provide access to education, training, and healthcare resources for rural Americans that experience multiple barriers to healthcare. Due July 17.
36. USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Support the Development of Rural Community Facilities
New funding opportunity through USDA Rural Development to support the development of essential Rural Community Facilities. The announcement can be accessed below. Within the announcement there are hyperlinks to the program’s webpage and the federal register notice. This program is a little different than what we’ve traditionally offered, in that it provides grant funding for predevelopment costs and technical assistance. Tribes are eligible both as technical assistance providers and as ultimate recipients. Therefore, for all that are interested, I’d recommend a close read of both the federal register notice and the webpage as the eligible costs for technical assistance providers and ultimate recipients are different. Applications are due at 5:00 PM EDT on July 24, 2017. A webinar for potential applicants is scheduled for June 20th at 2:00 PM EDT.
37. Delta Health Care Services Grant Program
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2017 applications for the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) grant program. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions, and economic development entities in the Delta Region. You must submit completed applications for grants according to the following deadlines:
Ø Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than Monday, July 24, 2017.
Ø Electronic copies must be received by Monday, July 17, 2017. Late applications are not eligible for funding under this Notice and will not be evaluated.
38. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering grants through the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program. Public bodies, non-profit organizations and Federally recognized Tribes are eligible to apply for this funding. The maximum grant is $150,000. Deadline: 7/24/2017. Click here for application guidelines.
39. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is inviting applications for grants to support economic development in rural communities through the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI). These grants support partnerships between community development groups and rural communities to develop essential facilities and create jobs and business opportunities. Deadline: 7/25/2017. Click here to visit the RCDI website for more information on applying.
40. Targeted Capacity Expansion: Medication Assisted Treatment - Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction (MAT-PDOA)
Provides funds for state agencies to expand or enhance access to medication assisted treatment services for individuals with opioid use disorder in states with the highest rates of treatment admissions for heroin and opioids per capita.
Geographic coverage: 17 states with the highest rates of treatment admissions for heroin and opioids per capita
Application Deadline: Jul 31, 2017
Sponsor: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
41. THE DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY (DRA), in partnership with leading national arts and government organizations, launched its pilot Delta Creative Placemaking Initiative (DCPI) to strengthen the Delta economy and improve the quality of life for the region’s 10 million residents. DRA will contribute nearly $460,000 to stimulate economic and community development efforts through promoting the unique places, arts, culture, music and food of Delta communities. Local government entities, in partnership with at least one nonprofit organization, can submit applications for DCPI seed investments up to $30,000. In addition to the seed investment, successful applicants will also receive up to 50 hours of coaching, mentoring and technical assistance to advance creative placemaking efforts in their communities. Deadlines: notices of Intent to Apply for funding are due 7/21/2017; applications are due 7/31/2017. Click here for an application.
The National Science Foundation today has identified $25 million to underwrite cybersecurity education and workforce development on two tracks (scholarship and capacity). Application Deadline: July 31, 2017
Ø For the Scholarship Track: Universities and four-year colleges accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Community colleges are eligible only as sub-awardees of the partnering institution's Scholarship Track award.
Ø The Capacity Track seeks innovative proposals leading to an increase in the ability of the United States higher education enterprise to produce cybersecurity professionals. Proposals are encouraged that contribute to the expansion of existing educational opportunities and resources in cybersecurity and focus on efforts such as research on the teaching and learning of cybersecurity, including research on materials, methods and interventions; curricula recommendations for new courses, degree programs, and educational pathways with plans for wide adoption nationally
43. Empowered Communities for a Healthier Nation Initiative
Grants to reduce significant health disparities impacting racial and ethnic minorities and/or disadvantaged populations through implementing evidence-based strategies with the greatest potential for impact, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic, childhood obesity, and serious mental illness.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Aug 1, 2017
Sponsors: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
44. THE ALLSTATE FOUNDATION is inviting U.S. nonprofit organizations that address domestic violence to join the annual Purple Purse Challenge. This competition gives nonprofits that offer financial empowerment services to domestic violence survivors a chance to compete for a total of $700,000 in incentive funding. This year, the Foundation will partner with up to 250 national, state and local nonprofit organizations. These organizations will be divided into two divisions of roughly equal size based on organizational budget. Each selected Community Partner will have its own “Team Page” where it can raise funds through the Challenge from October 2 through October 31, 2017. At the end of the Challenge, the Foundation will award grand prize grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 to the top seven organizations in each division. The deadline to apply to be a Community Partner is 8/1/2017. (Organizations are encouraged to apply early to take advantage of training and support leading up to the competition in October.) Visit the Foundation’s website here to learn more about the Challenge.
45. THE WALMART FOUNDATION STATE GIVING PROGRAM awards grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico for programs that give individuals access to a better life. There are three funding cycles per year; the first two funding cycles are targeted to specific states. For the final funding cycle of the year, requests are accepted from organizations nationwide in the following two categories: Hunger Relief supporting programs such as food pantries, backpack programs, and SNAP outreach; and Community Engagement supporting other programs that focus on the unmet needs of underserved low-income populations. Examples of eligible programs include career opportunity, disaster preparedness, education programs, healthcare access, shelters, etc. Grants range from $25,000 to $250,000; the average grant size is $40,000. Deadline: applications for the final funding cycle will be accepted from 8/7/2017 through 8/11/2017. Visit the Foundation’s website here to learn more about the State Giving Program.
46. THE LOWE'S CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION is offering grants through the Foundation’s Community Partners grant program to nonprofit organizations and local municipalities undertaking high-need projects such as building renovations and upgrades, grounds improvements, technology upgrades and safety improvements. Grants range from $2,001 to $100,000. Applications for the fall funding cycle will be accepted from 7/3/2017 to 8/25/2017. Visit the company’s website here to review the giving guidelines and to take the eligibility quiz.
47. Rural Impact County Challenge Community Coaching
Seeks to highlight and support counties making a real difference in the lives of children in rural communities. Up to 10 county teams will be selected to receive assistance from a Roadmaps to Health Community Coach from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Program. Due August 26.
48. FWS Tribal Wildlife Grants Program
Provides assistance to tribal governments in programs that benefit wildlife and habitat of tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished. Due September 1.
49. THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS is offering grants to nonprofit and public agencies through the Our Town Program. Grants will support arts engagement, cultural planning and design projects. Deadline: 9/11/2017. Click here for more information and to review funding guidelines.
50. FOUNDATION FOR RURAL SERVICE is offering grants to nonprofits seeking to create programs that promote business development, community development, education or telecommunications in rural communities served by National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) members. Awards range from $250 to $5,000. Preference will be given to proposals that foster collaboration among and community engagement, and that can be fully funded by the grant or have 75 percent or more of the project currently funded. Deadline: 9/15/2017. To learn more and apply, click here.
51. Conservation Alliance Invites Nominations for Conservation Projects
Grants are awarded in support of projects designed to secure permanent and quantifiable protection of a specific wild land or waterway with clear habitat and recreational benefits. Application Deadline: November 1, 2017 (Nominations).
52. THE SEVENTH GENERATION FUND FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES is offering funding in the following program areas: Arts and Creativity, Health and Well-Being, Rights of Mother Earth, Sustainable Communities and Economies, Leadership Development, and Rights, Equity, and Justice. Grants from $250 to $10,000, with an average of $5,000, are provided to Native communities that address one or more of the Fund’s program areas. The remaining postmark deadlines for 2017 are 8/4/2017 and 12/1/2017. (Mini-grants of up to $500 are reviewed throughout the year.)
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage research applications to develop and pilot test the effectiveness and implementation of family navigator models designed to promote early access, engagement and coordination of mental health treatment and services for children and adolescents who are experiencing early symptoms of mental health problems. For the purposes of this FOA, NIMH defines a family navigator model as a health care professional or paraprofessional whose role is to deploy a set of strategies designed to rapidly engage youth and families in needed treatment and services, work closely with the family and other involved treatment and service providers to optimize care and monitor the trajectory of mental health symptoms and outcomes over time. Application Deadline: January 07, 2018.
54. SBA 7a Loans
Provides loans to small businesses (including small healthcare practices) for working capital; equipment purchase; real estate purchase; building construction or renovation; business acquisition; and debt refinancing.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Small Business Administration
55. Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Accepting Applications for Emergency Grants
One-time grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to artists in the disciplines of painting, sculpture, or printmaking to provide assistance with a specific emergency, including fire, flood, or an unexpected medical issue. Application Deadline: Open
56. Funding Opportunities Available from Ford Family Foundation
The Ford Family Foundation is accepting applications to two funding opportunities for small or rural communities with populations under 35,000. The Good Neighbor Grant offers funding to address unexpected needs or simple projects. Grants are available between $1,000 and $10,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Additionally, the Community Building Spaces Grant offers funding for the development of public spaces. Various uses of funding include land acquisition, purchasing buildings, construction and renovations, among other activities. Grants are available between $50,000 to $250,000 and accepted on a rolling basis. For more information on the Good Neighbor Grant, click here. More information on the Community Building Spaces Grant is available here. Application Deadline: Due Rolling Basis.
57. Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program
Funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development
58. Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees
A loan guarantee program that helps private lenders provide affordable financing to qualified borrowers to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems for households and businesses in rural areas.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development
PUBLICATIONS
1. U.S. poverty rates by county for 1989, 1999, 2015
More than 46 million Americans, nearly 15 percent of the population, lived in poverty in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Compared against census data for 1999, more than 2,500 of the country’s 3,100-plus counties saw their rate increase. In 2015, 753 counties had a poverty rate of at least 20 percent — and 415 of these counties have been above this threshold in census data dating back to at least 1989. These “persistent poverty” counties are targets for set asides of some federal economic development funding.
2. More children participated in USDA’s Summer Food Service Program in 2016
In 2016, USDA’s Summer Food Service Program provided meals to 2.8 million children on an average operating day in July, the peak month for program operations. This was a 7.7-percent increase from 2015’s July participation. Meals are served at a wide variety of USDA-approved sites including schools, camps, parks, playgrounds, housing projects, community centers, churches, and other public sites where children gather in the summer. Sites are eligible to offer free USDA-funded meals and snacks if the sites operate in areas where at least half of the children come from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level, or if more than half of the children served by the site meet this income criterion. In 2016, 47,981 sites offered summer meals, about 400 more than in 2015. Many low-income children also obtain free meals while school is out through the Seamless Summer Option of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
3. Rural unemployment rates declined for all education levels from 2010 to 2015
Unemployment rates for rural adults are lower for those with higher educational attainment. But during the Great Recession (shaded area of the chart), unemployment rates across all education levels roughly doubled between 2007 and 2010. Rural working-age adults (ages 25-64) without a high school diploma saw their unemployment rates climb the most, compared to those with higher educational attainment. For example, the difference in unemployment rates between rural working-age adults without a high school diploma and those with at least a bachelor’s degree grew from about 6 percentage points in 2007 to 11 percentage points in 2011. As the rural economy recovered, both rural and urban unemployment rates fell and trended toward pre-recession levels. For example, after peaking at about 15 percent in 2010, the unemployment rate of rural adults without a high school diploma dropped under 10 percent by 2015. The overall unemployment rate in 2015 was 5.7 percent in rural areas, compared to 5.2 percent in urban areas.
4. How to Execute Programs and Policies that Rely on Technology
Technology drives almost every aspect of the federal government’s operations, but many federal agencies struggle to harness the full power of technology to support their missions. That’s why the Partnership for Public Service and Accenture Federal Services are partnering on a series of issue briefs to explain what new career and political leaders need to know about federal IT to be successful. Our first issue brief, “Building a Winning Technology Team: Driving Results Through Effective Partnerships,” focuses on the key leaders and stakeholders, discusses their roles in executing IT efforts and provides tips for forging partnerships and building teams for effective technology implementation.
First Nations Development Institute – as part of its work to combat food insecurity, eliminate “food deserts,” and support economic and business development in Native American communities – today released the first quarterly results under its 12-month study on food prices on Lower 48 reservations and in Alaska Native villages. The current study expands upon First Nations’ initial pilot project and report titled Indian Country Food Price Index that was released in July 2016. (To see a news release about the pilot project and report, click here.)
6. US lacks in workforce development; competitiveness at risk
If it takes a village to raise a child, it may take an entire educational support system as well as public policy reform and funding to get that child into a skilled technical job. A two-year study coordinated by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that the disjointed method of workforce development approaches in the U.S. may be hampering the economic competitiveness of the country. To combat that disjointed approach, the study, Building America’s Skilled Technical Workforce, makes a series of recommendations for policy makers, educators, employers, and other stakeholders in the future development of a skilled technical workforce.
7. Certified organic operations are concentrated in the West, Northeast, and Upper Midwest
Although all 50 States have some organic production and processing, the proportion of farms that are certified organic varies across commodities produced and regions. Data from USDA’s organic regulatory program show that organic farm production and food-handling operations are concentrated in California (the country’s top fruit and vegetable producer), the Northeast (which has many small-scale organic farms), and the Upper Midwest (a major producer of organic milk). Northeastern States have the highest share of certified organic farmers, particularly Vermont and Maine, where about 5 to 6 percent of all farmers are certified organic. Organic processors, manufacturers, and other food-handling operations are concentrated around large metropolitan areas, while certified organic livestock operations are located predominantly in the Great Lakes region. The top 10 States for organic farm sales (see table to the right of chart) accounted for 78 percent of the total value of all U.S. certified organic commodities sold in 2015. California alone contributed 39 percent of total U.S. organic farm sales.
EVENTS/LEARNING
1. Reviving Economic Activity on Former Manufacturing Sites | June 15, 2017 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm Eastern
In many places, the remnants of our manufacturing past are posing brownfield challenges today. As manufacturing production practices shifted and declined, many communities were left with closed factories, blighted properties, and contamination from past industrial activities. These former brownfields can be prime locations for new advanced manufacturing and maker movement innovation. Closed factories and industrial spaces are challenging assets to redevelop, but do present opportunities. Through best practices and case studies, this free webinar will examine how various experienced entities have brought brownfield sites back into productive use.
Whether you are a foodie or a farmer, local food is something to embrace. In small towns, the local food movement is doing more than putting meals on plates—it is nourishing economies by keeping farms vital and downtowns alive. Join the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design™ for a free hour-long webinar on how farmers’ markets and food co-ops are addressing their local community needs while stimulating downtown development.
3. Smart Growth America Publishes New Report on Statewide Disaster Recovery Strategies
Smart Growth America has released a new report, Building Resilient States: Profiles in Action. It highlights several local, regional, and statewide resilience efforts in Colorado, Oregon, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, California, Ohio, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Louisiana. Click here to learn more and download the report.
4. Through the Lens
Becky McCray and Deb Brown from www.saveyour.town are hosting a live webinar on Wednesday, June 14 at 12 noon Central Time. We think you’re really going to find lots of value. You might think that their next webinar, Through the Lens, is about photos. It's not. It's about taking action.
Ø It's not a photo walk for photographers. It's an empowerment walk for everyone.
Ø It's not about collecting photos to use for promotion or planning. It's about people taking photos to uncover what they care about enough to act on.
Ø It's about bringing together as many different people as you can, walking and talking together, and capturing photos to illustrate what each of you care about and want to act on.
Ø Right now, people in your town care about many different things. They'd like to change them or take action to make them better. They're waiting because they feel like they need permission, or that someone else is supposed to do it.
Ø Through the Lens is about unleashing your people to act on their passions, to do the things that will make your town the kind of place you'd all like to live.
Ø You can register for the webinar at: http://saveyour.town/lens/
5. Webinar and Paper on Early Involvement of Private Sector Developers in Consideration of P3s
The Build America Bureau, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration’s Center (FHWA) for Innovative Finance Support, has released a discussion paper on Early Involvement of Private Developers in the Consideration of Long-Term Public-Private Partnership Concession Options. This discussion paper draws upon past and current experiences to examine different mechanisms used by public agencies for involving private developers during the early stages of a project delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (P3). The paper also evaluates consultative mechanisms used during project procurement and after contract award.
Ø The paper is available at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/pdfs/p3/early_involvement_private_sector_p3s.pdf
This discussion paper is part of a P3 Toolkit consisting of tools and guidance documents to assist in educating transportation professionals as well as public sector policymakers and legislative and executive staff. The objective of the paper is to identify approaches that have been effective in securing early input from the private sector to enhance opportunities for P3s. The Build America Bureau and FHWA also invite you to a webinar on Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm Eastern.
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
Newsletters and email from which we gather this information include:
v Foundation Center RFP Service
v Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
v Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
v Blue Avocado Nonprofit Magazine
v National Association for Development Organizations (NADO)
v ERS
Thanks,
Dave
Associate Professor and Community Development Specialist
Department of Agricultural Economics
Oklahoma State University
323 Agricultural Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078-6025
405-744-6170
405-744-8210 – fax
Find grants and professional development resources on my blog
http://okextdevres.blogspot.com/
