Opportunity Information: Apply for RBCS SDGG 2021
The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) is a competitive federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Rural Business-Cooperative Service. For fiscal year 2021, the program makes a total of $3,000,000 available to support projects that deliver technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural communities. The broader aim is closely tied to USDA Rural Development's mission: strengthening rural economies, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life, with an emphasis on directing support toward communities and groups that have historically faced barriers to full participation in economic development.
This opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant (not a formula allocation), meaning applicants compete against one another based on the strength of their proposals and alignment with program goals. The funding activity category is Business and Commerce, reflecting the program's focus on building capacity, improving operations, and helping groups access the tools and know-how needed to succeed in cooperative and business settings. The CFDA number associated with this program is 10.871, which is the identifier commonly used for USDA assistance programs in federal systems and reporting.
Eligible applicants are centered on cooperative-based entities and cooperative development intermediaries. The announcement specifically highlights cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers as eligible applicants, and it also lists federally recognized Native American tribal governments as eligible. In addition, the notice indicates there are other eligible applicant types described in the full eligibility section of the official posting, which typically clarifies whether certain nonprofit organizations, institutions, or related entities can apply under specific conditions. The practical takeaway is that the program is designed for organizations that can credibly provide hands-on technical assistance and cooperative development support to socially disadvantaged groups located in rural areas.
In terms of award size and competitiveness, the grant has an award ceiling of $175,000 per project, and the agency anticipated making around 30 awards. With $3 million total available, this suggests the program is structured to fund a meaningful number of projects across different rural regions rather than concentrating funds into a small number of large grants. Applicants generally need to design projects that clearly explain who will be served, what technical assistance will be provided, how the work will be delivered in rural settings, and how outcomes will be measured.
The timeline provided in the opportunity indicates it was created on June 23, 2021, with an original application closing date of August 9, 2021. That relatively short application window is typical of many competitive federal grant cycles and underscores the importance of having a well-developed project plan, strong partnerships where relevant, and all required documentation prepared in time for submission.
Overall, the FY 2021 SDGG program can be understood as a capacity-building grant focused on rural cooperative and business development. Its main purpose is not direct financing for bricks-and-mortar construction or large capital purchases, but rather technical assistance that helps socially disadvantaged groups strengthen their organizational skills, governance, planning, business development, and long-term sustainability within rural economies.Apply for RBCS SDGG 2021
- The Department of Agriculture, in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.871.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 23, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 09, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $175,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG), FY 2021
What is the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG)?
The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) is a competitive federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Rural Business-Cooperative Service. For FY 2021, it supports projects that provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural communities, with the broader goal of strengthening rural economies, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life.
Which USDA office administers this grant?
This grant is administered by USDA through the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, which is part of USDA Rural Development.
How much total funding is available under the FY 2021 SDGG?
For fiscal year 2021, the program makes a total of $3,000,000 available.
What is the maximum grant amount per project?
The award ceiling is $175,000 per project.
About how many awards did USDA expect to make?
The agency anticipated making around 30 awards.
Is SDGG a competitive grant or a formula grant?
SDGG is a discretionary (competitive) grant, not a formula allocation. Applicants compete against one another based on proposal strength and alignment with program goals.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Business and Commerce, reflecting the program focus on cooperative and business capacity-building and technical assistance.
What is the CFDA number for the SDGG program?
The CFDA number associated with this program is 10.871.
Who is eligible to apply for the SDGG?
Eligible applicants highlighted in the notice include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, cooperative development centers, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The announcement also indicates that additional eligible applicant types may be described in the full eligibility section of the official posting.
What types of organizations is this grant mainly designed for?
The program is designed for cooperative-based entities and cooperative development intermediaries that can credibly provide hands-on technical assistance and cooperative development support to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas.
Who should benefit from SDGG-funded projects?
Projects are intended to serve socially disadvantaged groups located in rural communities, with an emphasis on directing support to communities and groups that have historically faced barriers to full participation in economic development.
What kinds of activities does SDGG funding support?
SDGG supports technical assistance and capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening organizational skills, governance, planning, business development, and long-term sustainability for socially disadvantaged groups in rural economies.
Is this grant meant to fund construction or major capital purchases?
Based on the description provided, the main purpose is not direct financing for bricks-and-mortar construction or large capital purchases. It is primarily focused on technical assistance and capacity-building.
What should a strong application generally explain?
Applicants generally need to clearly describe who will be served, what technical assistance will be provided, how services will be delivered in rural settings, and how outcomes will be measured.
When was the FY 2021 SDGG opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on June 23, 2021, and the original application closing date was August 9, 2021.
What does the short application window suggest about preparation?
The relatively short window suggests applicants should have a well-developed project plan, relevant partnerships (where applicable), and required documentation prepared in time for submission.
What is the overall purpose of the FY 2021 SDGG program?
Overall, the FY 2021 SDGG program is a capacity-building grant focused on rural cooperative and business development through technical assistance, aligned with USDA Rural Development's mission of strengthening rural economies, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life.
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