Rural Community Development Initiative (10.446)

 

Program

10.446 Rural Community Development Initiative

 

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Rural Development

 

Authorization

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005.

 

Program Number

10.446

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To develop the capacity and ability of private, nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations, and low income rural communities to improve housing, community facilities, community and economic development projects in rural areas.

 

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Rural Community Development Initiative grants may be used for but are not limited to (a) training sub-grantees to conduct a program on home-ownership education; (b) training sub- grantees to conduct a program for minority business entrepreneurs; (c) providing technical assistance to sub-grantees on how to effectively prepare a strategic plan; (d) provide technical assistance to sub- grantees on how to access alternative funding sources; (e) building organizational capacity through board training; (f) developing training tools, such as videos, workbooks, and reference guides to be used by the sub-grantee; (g) providing technical assistance and training on how to develop successful child care facilities; and (h) providing training on effective fundraising techniques.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Rural Community Development Initiative grants may be made to a legally qualified private or public (including tribal) organization that provides technical assistance to nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations, and low income rural communities. The grantee must provide a program of technical assistance to the sub-grantee. The grantee must have been legally organized for a minimum of three years prior experience working with nonprofit organizations or low-income rural communities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. Assistance is authorized for eligible applicants in rural areas of the States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palaw, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Subgrantees must be legally organized private, nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations, low income rural communities, and Federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Credentials/Documentation

Have the legal, financial, administrative, and operational capacity relative to the activity for which assistance is requested. Have necessary background and experience with proven ability to perform responsibly in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. Have the ability to work within established guidelines. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is subject to environmental rview pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. An environmental impact assessment is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Application procedures will be announced in the Federal Register and on the Grants.gov web site.

Award Procedure

Award is made by the Administrator, Housing and Community Facilities Programs.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

As required, 90 days to 120 days.

Appeals

If an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection are fully stated. The applicant may request a review of the decision from the National Appeals Division, USDA.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching Requirements: The grantee must provide matching funds at least equal to the amount of the grant in the form of cash or committed funding. (No in-kind contributions).

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Proposals must be structured to utilize the Rural Community Development Initiative grant funds within 3 years from the execution of the Rural Community Development Initiative grant agreement. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Contact regional office or headquarters as appropriate for additional information.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. No progress reports are required. No expenditure reports are required. The grantee will perform self-evaluations by preparing quarterly financial and project performance reports in accordance with the grant agreement for RCDI.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. Periodic audits should be made as part of the grantee's system of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of the grant. In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 3052, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.

Records

The borrower must maintain adequate records and accounts related to the technical assistance performed.

 

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In FY08, 51 grants were made. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-2081-0-1-371; 12-4215-0-3-371.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $8,259,539; FY 09 est $10,752,839; FY 10 est $6,256,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$50,000 to $261,000. Average $234,643.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Administrative Regulations 7 CFR 3015, 7 CFR 3016, 7 CFR 3019, 7 CFR 3052; H.R. 5426 Guidelines announced in NOFA, published in the Federal Register.

 

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Consult your local telephone directory for Rural Development State Office numbers. If no listing, contact the appropriate Rural Development State Office found on the internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

Headquarters Office

Deputy Administrator, Community Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Development
Stop 0788
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20250-0788 Phone: 202-720-1490

Web Site Address

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Factors considered for project selection include but are not limited to median household income, rural population, and points for evaluation criteria.