Inviting Applications for Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces competitive grant funds for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program, formerly known as the Small Socially- Disadvantaged Producer Grant program, as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113). The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups in rural areas. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers. The Agency is encouraging applications that direct grants to projects based in or serving census tracts with poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 percent. This emphasis will support Rural Development's (RD) mission of improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need them.