On December 17, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the awardees of two key co-op grant programs for 2024: the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program and the Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program. The two programs provide funding through 50 grants to cooperative development centers nationwide.
Authorized through the Farm Bill, the RCDG program provides grants of up to $200,000 to Co-op Development Centers established through nonprofits or institutions of higher education to improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve rural cooperatives. The SDGG program awards grants of up to $175,000 to Cooperatives and Co-op Development Centers providing technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas through activities such as conducting feasibility studies, developing business plans, providing leadership and operational improvement training, and facilitating strategic planning.
View the full list of 2024 awardees and their contact information here:
Learn more about the updated Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program Regulations in effect November 15, 2024.
Tell your member of congress to support the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act in the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization.
Stay up to date with the latest news from USDA Rural Development’s Cooperative Services Branch *Subscribe to “Cooperative Services”
Contact advocacy@ncba.coop to learn how you can get involved and share your co-op story with policymakers.
