ECG’s Office of Economic & Community Development monthly assembles a list of current grants and funding opportunities that may be relevant to your needs. Highlighted are program offerings by the Community Grant Program and the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We update this regularly and will continue to share information about additional funding opportunities. 

Community Grant Program
Grantor: Foundation for Rural Service (FRS)

Due: September 30, 2020

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) is a nonprofit organization that works in cooperation with NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association to sustain and enhance the quality of life in America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. The Community Grant Program is offered annually through NTCA’s rural broadband members to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. These grants support projects in the following categories:

• Business and Economic Development
• Community Development
• Education
• Telecommunications Applications

For more information, please visit the program webpage.

Eligibility: Non-profit organizations and local governments (city or county) are eligible to apply.

Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge
Grantor: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Due: September 10, 2020

The Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC) provides planning support and technical assistance to foster placemaking activities in rural communities. Funds will help enhance capacity for broadband access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support the development of transportation, housing, and recreational spaces.

Funds can be used to help rural communities access planning resources and technical assistance to develop actionable placemaking plans, convene partners, identify community needs, and implement priorities to build rural prosperity. Since broadband access is an essential component to providing this type of assistance, USDA encourages planning support and technical assistance that helps build capacity for rural broadband expansion. The assistance must be provided for up to two years. Planning must directly benefit cities or towns with 50,000 residents or less.

For more information, please visit the program webpage.

Eligibility: Public or private groups, organizations, or institutions that demonstrate experience and expertise in providing placemaking technical assistance to rural communities are eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate existing and proposed partnerships with public, private, philanthropic, and community partners to provide assistance.

From grants to small business debt relief programs to funding for improvements to businesses and communities, find more opportunities in our September 2020 guide.