Grant & Award Opportunities

Grant and Award Opportunities | Community Development

Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

Deadline: August 07, 2025


Please Note: the electronic application deadline is August 7, 2025, while the paper application deadline is August 12, 2025.


RCDI grants are awarded to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas.

Who may apply for this program?

    • Public bodies
    • Non-profit organizations
    • Qualified Private (for-profit) Organizations
    • Federally recognized Tribes

What is an eligible area?

Any area other than a city or town with a population greater than 50,000, and the area adjacent to such a city or town.

How can funds be used?

To improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas.
Rural Community Development Initiative grants may be used for, but are not limited to:

Training sub-grantees to conduct:

    1. Homeownership education
    2. Business entrepreneur education

Providing technical assistance to sub-grantees on:

    1. Strategic plan development
    2. Finding alternative funding sources
    3. Board training
    4. Creating training tools, such as videos, workbooks, and reference guides

What kind of funding is available?

    • Minimum grant award is $50,000; maximum grant award is $500,000
    • Grant funds are limited and are awarded through a competitive process

Are matching funds required?

    • Matching fund requirement equal to amount of grant
    • In-kind contributions cannot be used as matching funds
    • Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private and nonprofit entities are encouraged

How do we get started?

    • Applications are accepted on an annual basis through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in the Federal Register
    • Program Resources are available online (includes forms needed, guidance, certifications etc.)