USDA Rural Development is a federal funding agency that provides loans, loan guarantees, and grants to strengthen infrastructure, housing, utilities, and essential community services in non‑metropolitan America. Its programs target local governments, Tribes, public housing authorities, nonprofits, rural utilities, farmers and community lenders to finance affordable homeownership and repairs, water/wastewater systems, community facilities (health, public safety, education), and rural utilities and agricultural support. Funding is program-driven and administered through state and local USDA Rural Development offices, often delivered as a blend of direct loans, loan guarantees, and targeted grants or technical assistance.
Program-specific federal lending and grant administration delivered through state and county USDA Rural Development offices; mix of direct loans, loan guarantees, grants, and technical assistance with variable deadlines (many applications accepted on a rolling basis or via periodic funding announcements). Funding is typically structured (loan sizes vary widely; grants tend to be targeted and smaller or paired with loans) and prioritized by statutory eligibility (municipalities, Tribes, nonprofits, public bodies, and eligible individuals in rural areas).
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Work through your USDA Rural Development State Office for pre-application guidance; check specific program notices for eligibility and deadlines (many programs are rolling but some have funding announcements), be prepared to demonstrate rural service area (population thresholds), financial viability for loan products, and—when applying for grants—partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, or CDFIs. For Tribal or Native CDFI opportunities, seek specialized relending/TA programs and coordinate with regional USDA representatives.
Current and upcoming funding from USDA Rural Development that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Cooperative Development Centers established through nonprofit organizations or institutions of higher education.
Deadline: Annual cycle; specific application deadlines published by USDA Rural Development (awards announced annually).
Who can apply: Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers that provide assistance to socially disadvantaged groups (examples noted: Native Alaskans, Native Americans, Latinos).
Deadline: Annual cycle; specific application deadlines published by USDA Rural Development (awards announced annually).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.