Opportunity Information: Apply for RBCS RCDG 2020
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Business and Cooperative Programs office. Its main purpose is to strengthen rural economies by helping rural cooperatives and other rural business entities get started, grow, or operate more effectively. Rather than sending funds directly to every individual cooperative or small business, the program funds Rural Cooperative Development Centers that then deliver hands-on technical assistance to rural people and organizations. In practice, this means the grant supports the organizations that provide expertise, training, planning support, and other practical guidance needed to launch or improve cooperative and rural business activity.
This particular opportunity was published under the funding opportunity title "Rural Cooperative Development Grant" with the opportunity number "RBCS RCDG 2020" and is classified as a competitive, annually offered grant. The funding activity category is Business and Commerce, and it is listed under CFDA number 10.771. The opportunity was created on July 2, 2020, with an original closing date of August 3, 2020, indicating a relatively short application window typical of many federal competitive grants. Awards were capped at an award ceiling of $200,000 per grant, and USDA anticipated making around 29 awards, suggesting multiple recipients nationwide rather than a single large award.
Eligible applicants were limited to organizations positioned to operate as development centers and provide structured technical assistance, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions when applying under the nonprofit category). The overall design reflects the program's emphasis on building local capacity: by funding capable intermediary organizations, USDA aims to create durable support systems that can guide rural groups through common barriers such as business planning, governance structure, cooperative formation, operational improvements, and expansion strategies. The end goal is improved economic conditions in rural communities through stronger cooperative and business development, better-managed enterprises, and increased local resilience.Apply for RBCS RCDG 2020
- The Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs 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 Jul 02, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 03, 2020. (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 run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Business and Cooperative Programs office. The program is designed to strengthen rural economies by supporting the creation, growth, and improved operation of rural cooperatives and other rural business entities.
What does this grant program actually fund?
This opportunity funds Rural Cooperative Development Centers (intermediary organizations). Those centers then provide hands-on technical assistance to rural people and organizations. In other words, the grant supports organizations that deliver expertise and practical support, rather than distributing funds directly to every individual cooperative or small business.
Who ultimately benefits from RCDG funding?
Rural communities benefit through the technical assistance delivered by funded development centers. Rural cooperatives and other rural business entities may benefit indirectly by receiving training, planning support, guidance on cooperative development, and operational improvement support from those centers.
Does USDA provide grant money directly to individual rural cooperatives or small businesses through this opportunity?
Not typically. Based on this opportunity description, USDA funds Rural Cooperative Development Centers, which then provide technical assistance to rural groups and organizations. The emphasis is on building local capacity through intermediary organizations.
What kinds of support can Rural Cooperative Development Centers provide with this grant?
The description highlights hands-on technical assistance such as expertise, training, planning support, and practical guidance to help launch or improve cooperative and rural business activity. It also points to common focus areas like business planning, governance structure, cooperative formation, operational improvements, and expansion strategies.
What is the main purpose of the RCDG program?
The main purpose is to strengthen rural economies by helping rural cooperatives and other rural business entities get started, grow, or operate more effectively. The strategy is to fund capable organizations that can build durable local support systems for rural business and cooperative development.
What is the official funding opportunity title and number for this listing?
The funding opportunity title is "Rural Cooperative Development Grant" and the opportunity number is "RBCS RCDG 2020."
What type of grant is this opportunity (competitive or non-competitive)?
This is a competitive grant opportunity.
How often is this grant offered?
The opportunity is described as an annually offered grant.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Business and Commerce.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 10.771.
When was this opportunity created?
This opportunity was created on July 2, 2020.
What was the application closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date was August 3, 2020, which reflects a relatively short application window typical of many federal competitive grants.
What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling was capped at $200,000 per grant.
How many awards did USDA anticipate making?
USDA anticipated making around 29 awards, suggesting multiple recipients nationwide rather than a single large award.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligible applicants were limited to organizations positioned to operate as development centers and provide structured technical assistance. Eligible categories included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (with the note that higher education institutions are excluded when applying under the nonprofit category).
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status were eligible, excluding higher education institutions when applying under the nonprofit category.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant types.
What kind of organization is USDA trying to fund through this program?
The program is designed to fund capable intermediary organizations that can function as Rural Cooperative Development Centers and deliver structured technical assistance. The overall design emphasizes building local capacity by supporting organizations that can guide rural groups through common cooperative and rural business development barriers.
What kinds of barriers is this program intended to help rural groups overcome?
The description points to barriers such as business planning, governance structure, cooperative formation, operational improvements, and expansion strategies. The intention is to provide practical, expert guidance to help rural organizations move from idea to implementation and improvement.
What is the long-term goal of the RCDG approach?
The end goal is improved economic conditions in rural communities through stronger cooperative and business development, better-managed enterprises, and increased local resilience.
Which USDA office runs this program?
The program is run by USDA through its Business and Cooperative Programs office.
Is this a discretionary grant program?
Yes. The RCDG is described as a discretionary grant program.
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