Opportunity Information: Apply for RBCS RCDG 2023
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Its core purpose is to strengthen the economic condition of rural communities by supporting the people and organizations working to start new cooperatives, expand existing cooperatives, or improve how rural cooperatives and other rural business entities operate. Rather than funding individual cooperatives directly in most cases, the program is structured to fund Rural Cooperative Development Centers, which then deliver hands-on technical assistance to rural groups and businesses. In practical terms, the grant is meant to build local capacity so rural entrepreneurs and cooperative members can get expert help with planning, governance, financing readiness, business operations, and other development needs that can make the difference between a cooperative struggling and a cooperative becoming stable and competitive.
Awards under this opportunity are made through a competitive process and are offered on an annual cycle. For the 2023 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: RBCS RCDG 2023), the program set an award ceiling of $200,000 per grant and anticipated making about 29 awards. The assistance funded by these grants is typically delivered through the grantee organizations (the development centers) to rural clients, meaning the federal dollars pay for the capacity and services that help rural cooperatives and similar business entities move from idea stage to launch, or from early operations to growth and improved performance.
Eligible applicants are organizations positioned to serve as technical assistance providers and conveners, rather than individual businesses. Specifically, eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding those that are institutions of higher education when applying under the nonprofit category). The opportunity is classified under the Business and Commerce activity category and is associated with CFDA number 10.771. For reference, the 2023 posting was created on April 26, 2023, with an original application deadline of June 26, 2023.Apply for RBCS RCDG 2023
- The Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Cooperative Development Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.771.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 26, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 26, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 29 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) FAQs
What is the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)?
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The program is designed to strengthen the economic condition of rural communities by supporting cooperative development and improving the operations of rural cooperatives and other rural business entities.
What is the main purpose of the RCDG program?
The core purpose is to build local capacity in rural areas by funding organizations that provide hands-on technical assistance. This support helps rural groups and businesses start new cooperatives, expand existing cooperatives, or improve how cooperatives and similar rural business entities operate.
Does RCDG fund individual cooperatives directly?
In most cases, RCDG is not structured to fund individual cooperatives directly. Instead, it funds Rural Cooperative Development Centers, and those centers deliver technical assistance and support services to rural clients.
What types of organizations does RCDG typically fund?
The program is structured to fund Rural Cooperative Development Centers (or similar technical assistance providers). These organizations act as conveners and service providers that help rural cooperatives and rural business entities with development and operational needs.
What kinds of help do Rural Cooperative Development Centers provide with RCDG funding?
RCDG-funded assistance is described as hands-on technical assistance that can include support related to planning, governance, financing readiness, business operations, and other development needs. The goal is to help rural cooperatives and similar entities move from idea stage to launch, or from early operations to growth and improved performance.
Who is eligible to apply for the RCDG opportunity?
Eligible applicants are organizations positioned to serve as technical assistance providers and conveners. The eligible applicant types listed include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding those that are institutions of higher education when applying under the nonprofit category)
Are individual businesses eligible to apply?
The eligibility description provided focuses on institutions of higher education and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that can function as technical assistance providers. Individual businesses are not listed as eligible applicants in the information provided.
What kinds of rural clients benefit from RCDG-funded assistance?
RCDG-funded work is intended to help rural groups and organizations that are starting new cooperatives, expanding existing cooperatives, or improving the operations of rural cooperatives and other rural business entities.
How are RCDG awards made?
Awards are made through a competitive process. The opportunity is offered on an annual cycle.
What is the funding opportunity number for the 2023 cycle?
The 2023 opportunity is identified as: Funding Opportunity Number RBCS RCDG 2023.
What was the maximum award amount (ceiling) for the 2023 RCDG opportunity?
For the 2023 opportunity, the award ceiling was $200,000 per grant.
How many awards were anticipated for the 2023 opportunity?
The 2023 opportunity anticipated making about 29 awards.
How is the funding used in practice?
The federal dollars generally pay for the capacity and services delivered by the grantee organizations (the development centers). These services are then provided to rural clients to support cooperative start-up, expansion, and operational improvement.
What is the activity category associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is classified under the Business and Commerce activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with the RCDG program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.771.
When was the 2023 posting created and what was the original deadline?
The 2023 posting was created on April 26, 2023, and the original application deadline was June 26, 2023.
What is the overall impact RCDG is trying to achieve in rural communities?
The program aims to strengthen rural economic conditions by ensuring rural entrepreneurs and cooperative members can access expert help. The intent is to support cooperatives and similar rural businesses so they can become stable, competitive, and better positioned for long-term success.
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