Good to Know:
To begin, contact a program official in your state (see contact tab below) to review the requirements for completing an application.
The preparation process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the application and the completeness of the materials provided.
What does this program do?
Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grants are awarded to qualified organizations to provide a program of technical assistance to develop the expertise and ability of private, nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities, and/or federally recognized Indian Tribes (Recipients) to undertake projects to improve 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 recipients to conduct:
- Homeownership education
- Business entrepreneur education
Providing technical assistance to recipients on:
- Strategic plan development
- Finding alternative funding sources
- Board training
- 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.)
Who can answer questions?
Contact your local Rural Development office.
What governs this program?
Code of Federal Regulation - 2 CFR 200 and guidelines announced in NOFO.
NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change please always consult the program Instructions listed in the section above titled "What Law Governs this Program?" You may also contact your local Rural Development office for assistance.
NOTE: If state specific forms are not shown above, please refer to the application materials listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity to start the process of applying. Please ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to find the local Rural Development office for this program.
Application Information:
An application package can be downloaded from Grants.gov
For more information about this program, or to file an application, contact the local Rural Development office contact.
Most loans and grants are originated and/or serviced in the Area Office. Please contact the Area Office that services your County or Town. See our: Florida County Map.
Please contact the USVI St. Croix Office for all of the USVI.
CRESTVIEW AREA OFFICE
3070 Adora Teal Way, Suite C
Crestview, Florida 32539
Telephone: (850) 682-2416
Fax: (855) 473-8755
Counties Served: Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton
MARIANNA AREA OFFICE
2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 5
Marianna, Florida 32448
Telephone: (850) 526-2610
Fax: (855) 474-6969
Counties Served: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla, and Washington
LAKE CITY AREA OFFICE
971 W Duval St, Suite 190
Lake City, Florida 32055-3736
Phone: (386) 719-5590
Fax: (855) 474-6983
Counties Served: Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Nassau, Suwannee, St. Johns, Taylor, and Union.
OCALA AREA OFFICE
2441 NE 3rd Street, Suite 204-1
Ocala, Florida 34470
Telephone: (352) 732-7534
Fax: (855) 474-6990
Counties Served: Alachua, Citrus, Dixie, Flagler, Gilchrist, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia
CHAMPIONS GATE AREA OFFICE
8390 Champions Gate Blvd
Suite 210
Champions Gate, FL 33896
Telephone: (863)-420-4833
Fax: (855)-474-8230
Counties Served: Brevard, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk
ROYAL PALM BEACH AREA OFFICE **(see Sub Office information)
420 South State Road 7, Suite 166
Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33414-4306
Phone: (561) 792-2727
Fax: (855) 475-4827
**N. Ft. Myers (Sub Office of Royal Palm Beach)
3434 Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Suite 209-A
N. Ft. Myers, Florida 33903-7005
Telephone: (239) 997-7331
FAX: (855) 475-8043
Counties Served from Royal Palm Beach and North Fort Myers: Broward, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota.
ST. CROIX US Virgin Islands AREA OFFICE
4401 Sion Farm, Ste. #2
Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00820
Phone: (340) 773-9146
FAX: (855) 475-6940
Locations Served: St. Croix, St. John & St. Thomas, VI