Opportunity Information: Apply for RBCS SDGG 2024
The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program for FY 2024 is a competitive federal grant opportunity run by the USDA Rural Development Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS). It makes a total of $3,000,000 available nationwide to support technical assistance projects that benefit socially disadvantaged groups located in rural areas. The program sits within the Business and Commerce funding category (CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.871) and is structured as a discretionary grant competition, meaning awards are made based on how well applicants meet the program goals and selection criteria rather than by formula.
The central purpose of SDGG is to strengthen the ability of socially disadvantaged groups in rural communities to organize, develop, and succeed through cooperative business approaches and related capacity-building support. In practice, the money is intended for hands-on technical assistance rather than direct business financing. That typically means helping groups form cooperatives, improve cooperative governance and management, develop business plans or feasibility work, strengthen financial and accounting systems, train members and leaders, navigate regulatory or compliance needs, and build the operational skills needed to become sustainable over time. The broader policy aim is aligned with Rural Development's mission to improve quality of life in rural America while directing resources toward communities that have historically faced barriers to access and opportunity.
Eligible applicants are organizations positioned to deliver cooperative-focused assistance in rural areas, specifically cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers that serve socially disadvantaged groups. The opportunity listing also indicates eligibility for federally recognized Native American tribal governments, along with other qualified entities, reflecting the program's focus on reaching communities that have experienced inequitable treatment or limited access to development resources. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their proposed services will primarily benefit socially disadvantaged groups in rural places and that they have the capacity and plan to deliver meaningful technical assistance outcomes.
For FY 2024, the anticipated scale of funding is up to 20 awards, with an award ceiling of $175,000 per grant. Because the total funding available is $3,000,000 and the ceiling is $175,000, typical awards may vary depending on proposal scope, geographic coverage, staffing, and the intensity of the technical assistance plan. The original application closing date listed for this competition is June 3, 2024, and the opportunity was created on April 3, 2024. Overall, SDGG is designed for organizations that can translate grant funds into practical, on-the-ground cooperative development support that improves economic participation and long-term resilience for socially disadvantaged groups in rural America.Apply for RBCS SDGG 2024
- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.871.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $175,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) Program (FY 2024)
What is the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program?
The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program for FY 2024 is a competitive federal grant opportunity administered by USDA Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS). It provides funding for technical assistance projects that benefit socially disadvantaged groups located in rural areas.
Which federal agency runs this grant opportunity?
The SDGG program is run by the USDA Rural Development Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS).
Is SDGG a competitive grant or a formula grant?
SDGG is a discretionary grant competition. Awards are made competitively based on how well applications meet the program goals and selection criteria, rather than being distributed by a formula.
How much total funding is available nationwide for FY 2024?
A total of $3,000,000 is available nationwide under the FY 2024 SDGG program.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity anticipates up to 20 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $175,000 per grant.
Will every award be for the maximum amount?
Not necessarily. While the ceiling is $175,000, typical award amounts may vary based on the proposal scope, geographic coverage, staffing approach, and the intensity of the technical assistance plan.
What is the primary purpose of SDGG funding?
The central purpose of SDGG is to strengthen the ability of socially disadvantaged groups in rural communities to organize, develop, and succeed through cooperative business approaches and related capacity-building support.
What types of activities does SDGG typically fund?
SDGG funding is intended for hands-on technical assistance. Examples described for this program include helping groups form cooperatives; improving cooperative governance and management; developing business plans or feasibility work; strengthening financial and accounting systems; training members and leaders; navigating regulatory or compliance needs; and building operational skills needed for long-term sustainability.
Does SDGG provide direct business financing (like loans or capital for businesses)?
The funding is intended for technical assistance rather than direct business financing. In other words, it is designed to support services that help groups build capacity and operate successfully, not to directly finance business operations.
Who is intended to benefit from SDGG-funded projects?
Projects are intended to primarily benefit socially disadvantaged groups located in rural areas.
What geographic areas must be served?
The program is focused on rural areas. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their proposed services will primarily benefit socially disadvantaged groups in rural places.
Who can apply for the SDGG program?
Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers that serve socially disadvantaged groups. The listing also indicates eligibility for federally recognized Native American tribal governments, along with other qualified entities, consistent with the program focus.
What kinds of organizations are best positioned to apply?
Organizations positioned to deliver cooperative-focused assistance in rural areas are the intended applicants. Applicants should be able to show they have the capacity and plan to deliver meaningful technical assistance outcomes for socially disadvantaged groups in rural communities.
What does USDA mean by "technical assistance" in this program context?
Based on the description provided, technical assistance refers to practical, on-the-ground support such as cooperative formation support, governance and management improvements, business planning and feasibility work, financial and accounting system strengthening, training for members and leaders, and help addressing regulatory or compliance needs.
What is the broader policy goal of SDGG?
The program aligns with Rural Development's mission to improve quality of life in rural America, while directing resources toward communities that have historically faced barriers to access and opportunity.
What funding category and Assistance Listing (CFDA) number applies to SDGG?
The SDGG program sits within the Business and Commerce funding category and is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.871.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 3, 2024.
What is the application closing date listed for FY 2024?
The original application closing date listed for this competition is June 3, 2024.
What should applicants be prepared to demonstrate in their application?
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate that their proposed services will primarily benefit socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas, and that they have the capacity and plan to deliver meaningful technical assistance outcomes related to cooperative development and capacity building.
How does SDGG support cooperative development specifically?
The program is designed to help socially disadvantaged groups organize and succeed through cooperative business approaches. The description emphasizes activities such as forming cooperatives, strengthening governance and management, and building the operational and financial skills needed for cooperative sustainability.
What factors may influence the scope of an SDGG project?
The description notes that award size and structure may vary depending on the project scope, geographic coverage, staffing, and the intensity of the technical assistance plan.
What outcomes is SDGG trying to achieve for rural communities?
SDGG is intended to translate grant funds into practical cooperative development support that improves economic participation and long-term resilience for socially disadvantaged groups in rural America.
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