USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program
Funded by: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.766
Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Purpose: The USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program provides direct loans and/or grants for essential community facilities in rural areas. Priority is given to healthcare, education, and public safety projects. Funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve facilities.
Projects that are more typical to receive funding include:
- Hospitals
- Health clinics
- Mental health facilities
- Schools
- Fire houses
- Community centers
- Other community-based initiatives
Applicants may apply for one of three options: the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, the Community Facilities Grant Program, or a combination of the two.
Eligibility: USDA provides grants to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns with populations up to 20,000. Grants are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as nonprofit corporations and tribal governments. Loans are also available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as to nonprofit corporations and tribal governments.
Amount of Funding: Amount varies. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants. $5,000,000 is set aside for projects that address the opioid epidemic in rural communities. Nonprofit organizations and federally recognized tribes can apply through the usual Community Facilities grant application process for grants up to $150,000 for innovative projects. Community Facilities grants may fund up to 75% of an eligible project.