11 May 2021

Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

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The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, which will direct $268 million for expanding broadband access and connectivity to eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and consortia led by an HBCU, TCU, or MSI that also include a minority business enterprise or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information, please see https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/ for updates. Applications closed December 1, 2021. See the first round of awardees here.

4 May 2021

Sunderland Foundation

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Since its inception in 1945, the Sunderland Foundation has focused on supporting construction projects, awarding grants to nonprofits in the Kansas City region and other markets traditionally served by the Ash Grove Cement Company.  Grants are awarded in Western Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Western Iowa, Idaho, Central Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Montana. 

The Sunderland Foundation generally awards grants to larger, well-established nonprofit organizations. 

3 May 2021

Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program

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The Rural Economic Development Loan (REDL) and Grant (REDG) programs provide funding to rural projects through local utility organizations. Under the REDLoan program, USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities, which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients), for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to the Agency. 

Under the REDGrant program, USDA provides grant funds to local utility organizations to use the funding to establish revolving loan funds (RLF). Loans are made from the revolving loan funds to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. When the revolving loan fund is terminated, the grant is repaid to the Agency.