USDA invites applications to help disadvantaged groups strengthen capacity

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is seeking applications for grants under the Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant program.

The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives and cooperative development centers with a majority of its board of directors or governing board comprised of individuals who are members of socially disadvantaged groups. A socially-disadvantaged group is one whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group and without regard to their individual qualities.

This program supports Rural Development’s mission to improve the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to direct agency resources to those who most need them. Grant funds may used only for the benefit of socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. 

For FY 2021, USDA plans to award up to $3 million in grants. The maximum grant award is $175,000. Grants may be used to develop and operate a Rural Cooperative Development Center that could provide the following technical assistance and other services to rural socially-disadvantaged groups and businesses:

• Conducting feasibility studies

• Developing business plans

• Providing leadership and operational improvement training

Completed applications must be submitted electronically through http://Grants.gov no later than 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time Aug. 9. For more information, see page 32882 of the June 23 Federal Register, available online at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-06-23/pdf/2021-13169.pdf .

For Montana-based applicants, questions about the application process may be directed to the USDA Rural Development Montana State Office, Business and Cooperative Programs.  People can visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/contactpage/montana-contacts for more information.