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.
Rural Development Offices in Montana
State Office, Bozeman:
(406) 585-2580 – Phone
(855) 576-2674 - Fax2Mail
2229 Boot Hill Court
Bozeman, Montana 59715-7914
Bozeman Area Office:
(406) 585-2530 - Phone
(855) 576-2672 - Fax2Mail
2229 Boot Hill Court
Bozeman, Montana 59715-7914
Billings Area Office:
(406) 657-6297 - Phone
(855) 576-2671 - Fax2Mail
1400 S 24th Street W
Suite 8
Billings, MT 59102
Great Falls Office:
(406) 727-7580 - Phone
(866) 574-1071 - Fax2Mail
12 3rd Street NW
Suite 300
Great Falls, MT 59404
Helena Sub-Area Office:
(406) 449-5000 - Phone
(855) 576-2675 - Fax2Mail
790 Colleen Street
Helena, MT 59601
Kalispell Area Office:
(406) 756-2005 - Phone
(855) 756-2678 - Fax2Mail
450 Corporate Drive
Suite 111
Kalispell, MT 59901
Missoula Area Office:
(406) 829-3395 - Phone
(855) 576-2679 - Fax2Mail
3550 Mullan Road
Suite 106
Missoula, MT 59808-5125