Listing of funding opportunities, events and resources in rural America.

Funding Opportunities for Rural Infrastructure

Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications for grants from qualified organizations to create loans to help rural homeowners finance household water systems. Application Deadline: July 19, 2021

Housing Preservation Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funds to assist low/very low-income homeowners in repairing/rehabilitating homes. Electronic Pre-application Deadline: July 19, 2021 

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This program accelerates investment in critical water infrastructure through innovative and flexible financing that can support a wide range of projects in both large and small communities. Letter of Interest Deadline: July 23, 2021

NTIA-Broadband Infrastructure Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
Funding to build broadband infrastructure. Application Deadline: Aug. 17, 2021

Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)
Department of Housing and Urban Development 
Eligible national and regional organizations may apply for grants to purchase home sites and develop or improve the infrastructure needed to set the stage for sweat equity and volunteer-based homeownership programs. Application Deadline: Aug. 23, 2021

Funding Opportunities for
Community and Economic Development

Delta Health Care Services Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is making funds available to support activities such as health education programs, health care services, job training in health care fields, and developing or expanding public health facilities. Application Deadline: July 19, 2021

Community Navigator Pilot Program
Small Business Administration
SBA launched this $100 million competitive grant program to strengthen outreach to businesses in underserved communities enacted through the American Rescue Plan. Extended Application Deadline: July 23, 2021

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Grants to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of veterans who are low-income and living with disabilities, with a focus on helping them regain and/or maintain their independence to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues. Application Deadline: July 30, 2021

Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development accepting applications for eligible entities to provide planning, training and technical assistance to rural communities to foster placemaking activities. Application Deadline: July 26, 2021

Rural Innovation Stronger Economy
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development unveiled a new grant program to help rural communities create good-paying jobs and support new business opportunities in high-growth fields. Application Deadline: Aug. 2, 2021

Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers. Application Deadline: Aug. 9, 2021

Rural Cooperative Development Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to help start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America.
Application Deadline: Aug. 10, 2021

2021 Building Partner Capacity and Promoting Resiliency and Equity under Clean Water Act Wetlands, Nonpoint Source, Monitoring, Assessment and Listing Programs
Environmental Protection Agency
Grants to support training and related activities to build the capacity of agricultural partners, state, territorial and tribal officials and nongovernmental stakeholders in activities to support the goals of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) Program, the Nonpoint Source (CWA Section 319) Program, the Wetlands Program, the CWA 401 Program, and the Water Quality Monitoring Program. Application Deadline: Aug. 10, 2021

NEA | American Rescue Plan Grants to Organizations #1, FY 2021 / NEA | American Rescue Plan Grants to Organizations #2, FY 2021
National Endowment for the Arts
Funds are intended to support day-to-day business expenses/operating costs, and not specific programmatic activities. Application Deadline: Aug. 12, 2021

Our Town
National Endowment for the Arts
Creative placemaking grants program that support projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes. Application Deadline via Grants.gov: Aug. 5, 2021; Application Deadline via NEA Portal: Aug. 17, 2021 

CAREER National Dislocated Worker Grants
Agency Employment and Training Administration
Funding to provide flexibility in response to and recovery from events that cause widespread unemployment. Application Deadline: Aug. 31, 2021

Agriculture Innovation Center Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is making funds available to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers to help them develop and market value-added agricultural products using a variety of options, except joint marketing efforts. Application Deadline: Sept. 27, 2021

Minority Leaders Development Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Minority Health program to support projects that implement innovative models to improve minority health and reduce health disparities. Application Deadline: Aug. 17, 2021

Funding Opportunities for Tribal Communities

FY21 Tribal Tourism Grant Program
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Indian Affairs is making funding available to support Tribal tourism feasibility studies and/or Tribal tourism business plan development. Application Deadline: Aug. 13, 2021

Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Minority Health is making cooperative agreements available to establish a national Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity to address health disparities and advance health equity in American Indian and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. Application Deadline: Aug. 16, 2021

Publications and Resources

FY22 Annual Fees Notice for OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative
Ahead of Fiscal Year 2022, Rural Development is providing guarantee percentages, annual fees, periodic retention fees, and optional construction fees to help lenders apply for the Agency’s four flagship loan guarantee programs.

Broadband Integrity Coordination Act Prompted Agency Leaders to Improve Information Sharing to Best Deploy Federal Broadband Funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced an interagency agreement to share information about and coordinate the distribution of broadband deployment federal funds.

2021 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources
The resource guide also spotlights partnership opportunities and resources for public-sector stakeholders from across the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Indicators of Broadband Need Map,
The Indicators of Broadband Need map was created by the United States Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The map uses several different data sources to show information on broadband availability within the United States. 

Future of Cities: Reenvisioning Retail for Recovery and Resilience,
The National League of Cities Center for City Solutions issues report on the future of cities and reenvisioning retail for recovery and resilience.

Planning for the Future of Work Amid a Global Pandemic,
National Association of Counties ssues report on planning for the future of work amid a global pandemic.

The State of the Nation’s Housing 2021
Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University issues report on the stat of the nation's housing.

Events and Learning Opportunities

USDA Rural Development Events:

7/15: Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN) Workshop: Resources for Employers and Employees in the Clean Energy Industry
Join USDA and members of RWIN to learn about resources to support rural employees and employers in the clean energy industry. USDA hosts monthly RWIN workshops. Visit www.rd.usda.gov/rwin to sign up for future workshops.

7/21: Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC) Office Hours
USDA staff will be available for Q&A about the application process.

7/28: OneRD Guarantee Lender Office Hours
USDA invites lenders to attend office hours to learn more about the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative.

Other Learning Opportunities:

7/16: Pathfinders: Climate-Smart Solutions from Rural America and Native Nations
Join Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, the Housing Assistance Council, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and Rural LISC to hear stories and glean practical tips from rural regions that are leading the way to this better future through climate-smart innovations. 

7/20: Talent Forward: Addressing the Workforce Shortage
Join US Chamber of Commerce Foundation to address worker shortage challenges from multiple vantage points — with a focus on solutions.

8/10-8/11: Create Thriving Communities Virtual Event
Affordable Housing Finance and Multifamily Executive takes a deep dive into the critical need for missing middle housing. Content will focus on all angles of finance, design, development, and management.

8/12: Telecom Program FY2022 Request for Services Best Practices Webinar
Join the RHC program team as we walkthrough the FCC Form 465 and discuss best practices for submitting your FY22 request for services

COVID-19 Recovery Resources

Biden-Harris Administration Extends Foreclosure Moratorium to Provide Relief to Homeowners
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended through July 31, 2021, the moratorium on foreclosures from properties financed by USDA Single-Family Housing Direct and Guaranteed loans. These actions will bring relief to hundreds-of-thousands of residents in rural America who have housing loans through USDA.

Biden-Harris Administration Extends Moratorium of Residential Evictions in USDA Multifamily Housing Communities in Accordance with CDC Guidance
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended through July 31, 2021, the moratorium on evictions of the hundreds-of-thousands of Americans who live in multifamily housing communities supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Emergency Connectivity Fund
Universal Service Administrative Company
The Federal Communications Commission is making funds available to help schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period. Deadline: Aug. 13, 2021

Crisis Community Care Fund
Pride Foundation
The Pride Foundation is making grants available for groups and organizations meeting emerging needs of LGBTQ+ communities due to the impacts of COVID-19 in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Rural, Black, Indigenous, and people of color are priority populations. Application Deadline: Year-round

Quick Links to COVID-19 Recovery Resources

• Congress: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
• USDA: COVID-19 Economic Implications for Agriculture, Food, and Rural America
• USDA: USDA to Begin Loan Payments to Socially Disadvantaged Borrowers under American Rescue Plan Act Section 1005
• USDA: American Rescue Plan Debt Payments
• USDA: Free Meals to Children Extended and Other COVID-19 Food updates
• USDA RD: COVID-19 Recovery Resources to Support Rural America                        
• USDA RD: Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program: Application Deadline: Sept. 15 or Until Funds are Expended
• USDA FNS: Response to COVID-19
• CDC: Toolkit for Communicating About COVID-19 Vaccines
• FEMA: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Individuals and Households Program Policy
• FEMA: COVID-19 Healthcare Resource Roadmap
• HHS: Special Enrollment Period for Health Coverage Extended to August 15
• HHS: COVID-19 Grant Opportunities and Guidance
• HHS: We Can Do This: COVID-19 Public Education Campaign 
• HHS: The COVID-19 Community Corps
• HRSA: Health Care-Related Loan Repayment and Scholarships
• HUD: CDBG-CV Broadband Quick Guide 
• HUD: CDBG-CV Rural Coronavirus Response Quick Guide
• SBA: COVID-19 Guidance and Resources
• SBA: Restaurant Revitalization Fund
• NIH: Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities 
• NACO: NACo County News COVID-19
• NLC: Early Childhood is Critical to Recovery: Utilizing Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Support Vulnerable Children and Families
• FCC/USAC: Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
• EDA: Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs

To access programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, download the COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide.

Visit www.coronavirus.gov for the latest news from the CDC on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus for the latest news from Rural Development on how we are helping our partners, customers, and stakeholders impacted by COVID-19.

Newsletters, websites and emails from which we gather this information include:

• USDA Rural Development’s full Catalog of Programs
• USDA Rural Development's Notices of Solicitation of Applications
• Grants.gov
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• The Aspen Institute
• e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
• Pew Research Center
• Philanthropy News Digest 
• Rural LISC e-newsletter
• National Association of Development Organizations

USDA Rural Development Innovation Center

Email: rd.innovation@usda.gov | Webpage: usda.gov/rdinnovation

www.rd.usda.gov

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