FUNDING
Strategic Economic and Community Development
Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) is a new provision from the 2014 Farm Bill that prioritizes projects which support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional plans whose long-term community and economic growth strategies reflectstakeholder collaboration and the unique strengths of rural communities. SECD sets aside up to 10 percent of program funds in Rural Development’s Community Facilities, Water and Environmental Programs, Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans, and Rural Business Development Grants for these purposes.
First Nations Development Institute
Native Youth and Culture Fund is providing grants of $5,000 to $20,000 for projects that focus on youth and incorporate Native culture and tradition to address issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, mental health, and other social issues. Funded projects should address one or more of the following priority areas: preserving cultural or spiritual practices, beliefs, and values; engaging both youth and elders in activities that demonstrate methods for documenting traditional knowledge, practices, or beliefs; increasing youth's capacity to lead through integrated educational or mentoring programs; and increasing access to cultural customs and beliefs through the use of appropriate technologies as a means of preserving tribal language, arts, history, etc. Deadline: Online Phase One proposals must be submitted by March 9, 2016. Visit the First Nations’ website to review the funding guidelines.
The Laura Jane Musser Fundis accepting applications for the Rural Arts and Environmental Initiative grants programs.
The Fund’s Rural Arts Program assists arts organizations in targeted states that offer artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music, and performing arts. Grants of up to $10,000 are provided to organizations in rural communities with a population of 20,000 or under throughout Colorado, Hawaii, and Wyoming, as well as rural communities in selected counties in Michigan and Minnesota. The Fund’s Environmental Initiative Program supports projects that enhance the ecological integrity of publicly owned open spaces, while encouraging compatible human activities. The goal is to promote public use of open space that improves a community's quality of life and public health, while also ensuring the protection of healthy ecosystems. Organizations in Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wyoming are eligible to apply for grants of up to $35,000. Deadlines: applications for the Environmental Initiative Program must be submitted online by March 10, 2016; applications for the Rural Arts Program must be submitted by March 17, 2016. Visit the Fund’s website to review the application guidelines.
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program
USDA is offering grants through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program to state and local governmental entities, Federally-recognized Tribes, nonprofits, for profit businesses, and consortia of eligible entities to help rural communities use telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link teachers and medical service providers in one area to students and patients in another. Deadline: March 14, 2016. Visit the USDA website to review funding guidelines.
USDA Housing Preservation Grant Program
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents, and has extended the deadline to March 15, 2016. The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant Program. Visit the USDA website to review funding guidelines.
TheCommunity Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fundhas opened the fiscal year (FY) 2016 funding round for the Capital Magnet Fund.
The Capital Magnet Fund is a competitive grant program through which CDFIs and qualified nonprofit housing organizations receive awards to finance affordable housing and economic development activities in underserved areas. The CDFI Fund estimates that about $80 million will be available through the Capital Magnet Fund’s FY 2016 round. Deadline: March 6, 2016 for submissions through www.grants.gov; March 30, 2016 for submissions through the CDFI Fund’s Award Management Information System (AMIS). Visit the CDFI website for application details.
CommunitWINS Grant Program
U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS and WELLS FARGO are offering grants through the CommunityWINS grant program. Launched in 2015, the CommunityWINS program includes a $3 million investment by the Wells Fargo Foundation over three years to support neighborhood revitalization, economic development and job creation in local municipalities. Deadline: March 18, 2016. Visit the CommunityWINS website for additional information.
HHS Drug-Free Communities Support Program
HHSis offering funding through the Drug-Free Communities Support Program to community-based coalitions addressing youth substance abuse. Deadline: March 18, 2016. View the program guidelines.
HUD Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Department's Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant Program
HUD has announced the availability of $40 million to directly support housing counseling services that help low- and moderate-income families improve their housing conditions. Grant winners can use the money to help homebuyers evaluate if they are ready to buy a house, understand their financing and down payment options and navigate what can be an extremely confusing and difficult process. Grantees also help families find affordable rental housing and offer financial literacy training to help struggling families repair credit problems. Deadline: April 4, 2016. Review the application guidelines and apply.
Department of Justice
Department of Justiceis offering grants to nonprofit and public agencies to provide comprehensive wrap-around services/programs which incorporate the use of trained mentors to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of adults who have been incarcerated. Deadline: April 12, 2016. View funding guidelines and to get an application.
The Sparkplug Foundation
The Sparkplug Foundationprovides grants to start-up nonprofit organizations or new projects of established nonprofits that are addressing the fields of music, education, and community organizing. In the Music category, the Foundation supports emerging professional musicians or music-development programs. In the Education and Teaching category, the Foundation funds projects that deal with "the whole student" and with learning as a community activity. In the Grassroots Organizing category, the Foundation encourages activist strategies for addressing institutional injustices and for building a reasoned, just society. The current focus is on ground-level community organizing at the intersection of utilities/energy infrastructure, housing/community resources, and racial justice. Deadlines: online questionnaires must be completed by April 15, 2016; letters of intent are due April 22,2016; and the deadline for final applications is May 13, 2016. Visit the Foundation’s website to review its mission and funding guidelines as well as the online application instructions.
Supportive Service Demonstration for Elderly Households in HUD-Assisted Multifamily Housing
HUD has announced the availability of $15 MM in funds for the Supportive Service Demonstration for Elderly Households in HUD-Assisted Multifamily Housing. Owners of elderly Section 202, Section 8, Section 515/Section 8 properties with at least 50 units are encouraged to apply. This demonstration will provide funding for a full-time on-site Enhanced Service Coordinator and/or a part-time Wellness Nurse to assist seniors aging in place. HUD is encouraging multiple applications from the same city or state, in order to produce evidence about the impact of supportive services models in existing assisted senior developments. Deadline: April 18, 2016. Review the application guidelines.
CDFI Fund
CDFI Fundis offering grants for financial assistance and technical assistance to improve low-income communities through economic development, affordable housing and other community development financial services. To assist potential applicants, the CDFI Fund has provided three guidance documents—a Quick Start Guide, an Application Evaluation Document, and the FY 2016 Frequently Asked Questions for the CDFI Program and NACA Program application—on its website. Deadline: April 18, 2016. Visit the website for application guidelines.
Newman’s Own, Fisher House Foundation and Military Times have joined together to offer grants to recognize volunteer and nonprofit organizations supporting military families.
Eligible applicants to the Newman’s Own Awards Program must be comprised primarily of volunteers or be a nonprofit organization, and be working with the families of Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve units, or veterans. Applying organizations will be evaluated on their innovative plans for improving the quality of life for members of the military and their families. Deadline: April 28, 2016. Visit the program’s website to submit an online application.
Retirement Research Foundation
The Retirement Research Foundation is accepting applications for projects that improve lives of aging Americans. Deadline: May 2, 2016. View funding guidelines and get an application.
The Home Depot Foundation
Community Impact Grants Program provides support to nonprofit organizations and public service agencies in the U.S. that are using volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities. Proposals for the following community improvement activities will be considered: repairs, refurbishments, and modifications to low-income or transitional veteran’s housing or community facilities (schools, community centers, senior centers, etc.); weatherizing or increasing energy efficiency of low-income or transitional veteran’s housing or community facilities; engaging veterans as volunteers to help other veterans in their community through service projects focusing on the renovation, repair, and improvement of homes and other properties serving veterans; and planting trees or community gardens or landscaping community facilities that serve veterans. Requests will be accepted through December 31, 2016. Visit the Foundation’s website to submit an online application.
The New Rural: Innovations in Rural Health Award.
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is now taking submissions for the 2016 The New Rural: Innovations in Rural Health Award. In the spirit of the Trust's long history of leading and supporting rural health innovation, we want to encourage and recognize promising work that has the potential to improve the health status of people living in rural communities throughout the state and across the country. We’re looking for original, innovative solutions to drive health improvement in rural communities. These don't have to be finalized projects - we encourage submissions from around the country that highlight new ideas and emerging innovations. Individuals, for-profits, nonprofits and government agencies are welcome to apply. Finalists will receive a $7,500 award and one innovative and inspiring idea will win the New Rural Award and a total of $25,000. All submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 29, 2016. For more information about the award, visit our information page. If you have any questions about the award, please contact Erin Barlow, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about how you can help with our efforts to market the award, please contact the Trust’s Communications Director Nora Ferrell, nThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
