USDA Rural Development Grant Funding
Grant Deadline: This program accepts applications on an ongoing basis.
For Rural Areas and Small Towns up to 20,000 in Population
Community Programs provides grants to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale.
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Eligible uses for USDA rural grant funds
Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.
Examples of essential community facilities include:
- Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities
- Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements
- Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing
- Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment
- Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools
- Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment
- Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses
What this grant does for your agency
Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants. Grants are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as non-profit corporations and tribal governments. In addition, applicants must have the legal authority necessary for construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed facility and also be unable to obtain needed funds from commercial sources at reasonable rates and terms.
Only a limited number of grants will be awarded. Loans, grants, and combination programs are available.
Grant Eligibility
These grant funds are for rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population according to the latest U.S. Census Data.
Eligible borrowers include:
- Public bodies
- Community-based non-profit corporations
- Federally-recognized Tribes
About the USDA Rural Development
USDA RD is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. More
Grant Deadline
Grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Apply
For more information about this program, or to file an application, contact the local Rural Development office in your area.