# Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-rd-hcfp-rcdi-2025-rural-community-development-initiative-rcdi/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359934

> Rural Housing Service offered grants of up to $500,000 (at least $50,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make about 30 awards worth $5.0 million in total. Applications closed on August 7, 2025.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-RD-HCFP-RCDI-2025 |
| Agency | Rural Housing Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | August 7, 2025 |
| Award ceiling | $500,000 |
| Award floor | $50,000 |
| Expected awards | 30 |
| Total funding | $5.0 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.446 |

## Who can apply

- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses

The intermediary organization must have been legally organized for a minimum of 3 years and have at least 3 years prior experience working with private nonprofit community-based housing and development organizations, low-income rural communities, or tribal organizations in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. The Intermediary will be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the RCDI grant. The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per Intermediary are $50,000 and $500,000. All Recipients and Beneficiaries, but not the Intermediary, must be located in a city or town that has a population of 50,000 or less inhabitants.

## What the grant funds

Qualified private, nonprofit and public (including tribal) intermediary organizations proposing to carry out financial and technical assistance programs will be eligible to receive the funding. The RCDI structure requires the intermediary (grantee) to provide a program of financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. The recipients will, in turn, provide programs that will support their communities (beneficiaries). The Intermediary will be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the RCDI grant. The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per Intermediary are $50,000 and $500,000.

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-RD-HCFP-RCDI-2025 still open?

No. It closed on August 7, 2025.

### Who can apply for Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)?

Rural Housing Service accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)?

Closed August 7, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $500,000 each. About $5.0 million in total across about 30 awards.

### Who has won Rural Community Development Initiative grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Protectores de Cuencas Inc., Foundation for Puerto Rico Inc, Centro Para La Reconstruccion del Habitat Inc. The program made 4 awards worth $1.0 million in that time.