Opportunity Information: Apply for RBCS RCDG 2022
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Its main purpose is to strengthen rural economies by building local capacity to create, grow, and improve rural cooperatives and other rural business entities. Rather than funding individual cooperatives directly, the program funds Rural Cooperative Development Centers, which then deliver hands-on technical assistance to rural people and organizations working on cooperative or related business development.
At its core, the program is designed to improve economic conditions in rural areas by supporting practical, on-the-ground help for activities tied to startup, expansion, and operational improvement. This can include assistance such as business planning, cooperative development guidance, governance and management support, feasibility work, and other forms of specialized technical support that help rural groups organize, operate more effectively, or scale. The program emphasizes capacity building: it invests in organizations that can provide sustained expertise and coaching to multiple rural clients, multiplying the impact beyond a single project.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: RBCS RCDG 2022) is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Business and Commerce activity area (CFDA/Assistance Listing: 10.771). Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category). Awards are made annually through a competitive process, meaning applications are reviewed against program criteria and funded based on merit and alignment with program goals.
For the 2022 cycle reflected in the source data, the opportunity was posted on April 6, 2022, with an original application closing date of June 6, 2022. The maximum award amount listed was $200,000, and the program anticipated making about 29 awards. In practical terms, this indicates the program supports a moderate number of development centers each year with relatively targeted grant sizes, aiming to spread technical assistance capability across multiple regions or service areas and reach a wide range of rural cooperative and business development efforts.Apply for RBCS RCDG 2022
- The Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Cooperative Development Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.771.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 06, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 06, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 29 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) FAQs
What is the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)?
The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) is a competitive, discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The program is intended to strengthen rural economies by building local capacity to create, grow, and improve rural cooperatives and other rural business entities.
What is the main purpose of the RCDG program?
The program focuses on improving economic conditions in rural areas by supporting hands-on technical assistance tied to cooperative and related business development. A key theme is capacity building: investing in organizations that can deliver ongoing expertise to multiple rural clients, multiplying impact beyond a single project.
Who actually receives RCDG funding?
RCDG funds Rural Cooperative Development Centers (development centers) rather than funding individual cooperatives directly. These development centers then provide technical assistance to rural people and organizations working on cooperative development or related rural business development.
Does RCDG provide direct funding to individual cooperatives?
No. Based on the opportunity description, the RCDG program does not fund individual cooperatives directly. Instead, it supports organizations (development centers) that provide technical assistance and support services to rural clients.
What kinds of activities and services are supported through RCDG?
The program supports practical, on-the-ground technical assistance associated with startup, expansion, and operational improvement. Examples named in the opportunity include business planning, cooperative development guidance, governance and management support, feasibility work, and other specialized technical support that helps rural groups organize, operate more effectively, or scale.
What does "capacity building" mean in this grant context?
In this opportunity, capacity building refers to strengthening organizations that can provide sustained expertise, coaching, and technical assistance to multiple rural clients over time. The idea is to create durable local or regional capability that supports many cooperative and rural business development efforts, rather than a one-time benefit to a single project.
What is the administering agency and office for this program?
The program is run by the USDA, specifically through the Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The RCDG is described as a competitive program with awards made annually through a competitive process. Applications are reviewed against program criteria and funded based on merit and alignment with program goals.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Business and Commerce activity area.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for the opportunity described?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is RBCS RCDG 2022.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this program?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number provided is 10.771.
Who is eligible to apply for RCDG (based on the opportunity information provided)?
Eligible applicants listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education within that nonprofit category).
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, with the noted exception that institutions of higher education are excluded from the nonprofit category in that specific eligibility line.
What is the maximum award amount listed for the 2022 cycle?
The maximum award amount listed in the provided information for the 2022 cycle is $200,000.
How many awards were anticipated for the 2022 cycle?
The opportunity anticipated making about 29 awards for the 2022 cycle reflected in the source data.
When was the 2022 opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 6, 2022.
What was the original application closing date for the 2022 opportunity?
The original application closing date listed was June 6, 2022.
What does the 2022 award volume and award size suggest about the program's approach?
Based on the information provided, a maximum award of $200,000 and an anticipated 29 awards suggests the program funds a moderate number of development centers each year with relatively targeted grant sizes. The stated intent is to spread technical assistance capability across multiple regions or service areas and reach a wide range of rural cooperative and business development efforts.
What types of rural entities benefit from the program?
The program is designed to help rural people and organizations involved in cooperative development and other rural business entity development by providing technical assistance through funded development centers.
What is the overall impact goal of funding development centers instead of individual projects?
The described structure is intended to multiply impact: by funding development centers that can serve multiple clients, the program builds sustained, on-the-ground expertise that can support many cooperative startups, expansions, and operational improvements across rural areas.
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