NCBA CLUSA’s Strengthening Co-op Capacity for Historically Underserved Farmers project is soliciting proposals for a small grants program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program.
Organizations should propose activities that work directly with historically underserved producers, assisting with cooperative development training, financial literacy training, business planning and preparation, and tax planning. The USDA defines historically underserved producers as groups that have not participated in or that in the past have received limited benefits from USDA programs. They include: beginning farmers and ranchers; limited resource farmers or ranchers.
Eligibility for this program is limited to not-for-profit institutions of higher education, nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS including foundations, Community Development Financial Institutions, Native American Tribal organizations, and cooperatives. The maximum amount that can be awarded to an eligible organization is $20,000.
Concept notes are due by 11:59 pm EST on December 15, 2024.