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FREE Event: Cooperative Ecosystems: Transformations in Worker Ownership, Housing, Community Development, and Agriculture
When: Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 2-3:30 pm Eastern
Register Here | Stakeholder Announcement
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USDA Rural Development’s Cooperative Services Branch and the Interagency Working Group for Cooperative Development offer tools and resources to support cooperatives.
For more Co-op resources see the “Cooperative Collective” section below!
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Funding |
Funding for Community and Economic Development
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Rural Development provides zero-interest loans to local utilities, which are then used for projects to foster employment in rural areas. These organizations can also receive grants through REDLG to establish revolving loan funds to finance community facilities. Federal Register. Application Deadline: Quarterly
READY Grants to Grow Initiative
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
The ARC offers funding to organizations seeking to build individual, organizational, and community capacity across the ARC region. Letter of Intent: 11/1/2024
USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture provide funding to improve access to nutrient-dense foods for food-insecure individuals and families. Application Deadline: 11/7/2024
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC)
This program is a partnership between EPA's Office of Community Revitalization, USDA Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Denali Commission. This program is designed to help communities bring together local residents and other stakeholders to decide on strategies to grow the local outdoor recreation economy. Application Deadline is extended for communities affected by Hurricane Helene through 11/13/2024
Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance Grant Program and the Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for these two programs to provide technical assistance to increase or preserve affordable multifamily housing opportunities and help connect residents to supportive services. Specific requirements apply. Application Deadline: 11/18/2024
Accelerated Mobility Playbook Grant
City Thread
This program provides funding to support partnerships between a city or town and a qualified organization to create accelerate implementation of planned mobility networks, create effective partnerships, and proactively out-communicate opposition. Application Deadline: 11/20/2024
Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA offers these grants to support community driven investments that provide meaningful engagement for equitable governance. Application Deadline: 11/21/2024
Save America’s Treasures Grants – Collection and Preservation
U.S. Department of Interior (DOI)
DOI’s National Park Service, in cooperation with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, offers funding to provide preservation and/or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. Application Deadline: 12/12/2024
School Food System Transformation Grant
Project SCALES
This grant provides funding to foster partnerships that improve school food systems and food options available to students. Application Deadline: 12/13/2024
Solid Waste Management Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding for organizations that provide technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites. FY25 SWM- NOFO Application Deadline: 12/31/2024
Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding to support improvements to water and waste treatment facilities serving households and businesses in small communities. Eligible project areas include cities, towns, unincorporated rural areas, and tribal lands with populations of up to 10,000 residents. Application Deadline: 12/31/2024
Rural Business Development Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development grants funds for business opportunities and enterprise projects to organizations, including nonprofit cooperatives, that may be used to establish business support centers, finance trainings/leadership programs, purchase/develop land, repair/modernize buildings, finance planning, or buy equipment to lease to small or emerging businesses. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 2/28/2025
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Funding Opportunities for Infrastructure
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this program to provide funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans to support production and processing. Application Deadline: Open
Community Facilities (CF) Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding to develop or improve essential public services and facilities. Projects include fire and rescue stations, town halls, health care clinics, hospitals, childcare centers, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, public buildings, schools, libraries, and many other community-based initiatives. Application Deadline: Open
Build to Scale (B2S) Program
U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
EDA assists organizations that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems by supporting programs that support innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups transforming ideas into the critical, emerging technologies of the future. Application Deadline: 10/28/2024
Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers loans, through qualified lenders, to support in activities such as business repairs or modernization; the purchase or development of land and infrastructure; the purchase and installation of machinery or equipment; and debt refinancing. Application Deadline: Open
Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) introduces this new opportunity to provide support for rural and remote communities to build clean energy projects that benefit their communities. This program serves communities of 10,000 people or fewer. For more clean energy funding opportunities at OCED click here. Concept Paper Due: 2/27/2025
Funding Opportunities for Tribal Communities
The USDA Rural Development’s Tribal Relations Webpage offers a calendar of events, funding opportunities, news releases, success stories, and more!
EDA Announces Additional $5 Million to Support Indigenous Communities Through Existing Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Funding Opportunities
This funding expands on the American Rescue Plan Act’s AIC program to better support indigenous communities. The money will be allocated across EDA’s regions to fund non-construction projects that range between approximately $75,000 and $200,000 for capacity-building, planning support, and technical assistance.
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program: Tribal Transit Program
U.S. Department of Transportation
DOT’s Federal Transit Administration offers funding to support planning, capital, and operating assistance for tribal public transit services. Application Deadline: 11/13/2024
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Tribal and Insular Area Grants
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality offers funding assistance to accelerate the upgrade, retrofit, and turnover of the legacy diesel fleet. Application Deadline: 12/6/2024
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) HHS Indian Health Service offers loan repayment for undergraduate and graduate health professional educational loans in return for full-time clinical service in Indian Health Service programs.
Application Deadline: Open
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation This site offers many resources and technical assistance for tribal nations including electronic vehicle resources and a funding search tool.
Guides for Tribal Nations and Native Communities USDA Tribal Producers | USDA Tribal Buffalo Partnership | USDA Tribal Colleges, Students, and Youth | DOE Tribal Nations and Native Communities Resource Guide.
USDA’s Library of Cooperative Information provides information and research publications for economic development professionals, trade associations, extension agents, youth groups, and agriculture and business schools. This library includes co-op key trainings such as: How to Start a Cooperative (Español); A Cooperative Feasibility Study Guide; and Co-ops 101 (Español). To seek technical assistance help with forming cooperatives you may also reach out to a Rural Cooperative Development Center, many of which are partially funded through USDA’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant.
Cooperative Success Stories
Start.Coop Launches Market-Ready Start-Ups by Scaling Out: Through training and technical assistance, Start.Coop facilitates a development process to help co-ops scale their business.
Co-Op to Bring Local Food to Butte: After the closure of two grocery stores community leaders grew increasingly concerned about the limited availability of fresh and local food. A group of these leaders initiated the Butte Food Co-Op, with the goal of better connecting the community.
Engage Your Community With Investment Cooperatives: “Cooperatives, not competition" are the way to develop a community, states Julie Wilson, PhD in their video showcasing Investment Cooperatives, a project made possible by a USDA Rural Development Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant.
Exploring FAIR Markets for Virginia Agricultural Products Through Cooperatives: No other companies expressed interest in resuming operations after Tyson Foods closed its Glen Allen processing facility, so local growers formed a cooperative to protect their livelihoods.
Cooperatives keep the lights on in Rural Communities: As cooperatives look at upgrades and new technologies to add into their service, they often turn to USDA for support.
For more co-op Success stories, click here.
People are Talking Co-ops!
On the Radio -
In the News -
Co-op Events:
11/14 | Virtual: Ralph K. Morris Foundation, Tom Lyon Family Leadership Symposium Cooperative Outlook
2/13-16, 2025 | Minneapolis, MN: The College Conference on Cooperatives, hosted by the National Farmers Union, brings together students and young adults from across the country for cooperative education sessions and co-op tours.
3/12-14, 2025 | Dulles, VA: Home Care Cooperatives Conference sponsored by the Elevate Co-op, convenes worker co-op members who provide care for elders and people with disabilities. Earmark the date.
May 29-31, 2025 | Duluth, MN: The 2025 Consumer Cooperative Management Association Conference hosted by Whole Foods Co-op and presented by the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. This annual event convenes food cooperative leaders and professionals.
 Happing now!
USDA’s Rural Development Cooperative Staff at the 2024 FFA Convention
*End of the Cooperative Collective Special Section*
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