One of the other fun things I do with my day is help with the monthly Minnesota Rural Round Up newsletter. It gives me an excuse to read all about what’s happening in the rural world. I found a few items related to funding that I thought were worth sharing. I didn’t dig too deep so in the end they may not be a good fit and in some cases even the connection I have made is a little tenuous – but with a little creativity this might be the puzzle piece you need to make your broadband picture complete!
–The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant program assists small rural hospitals in undertaking needed modernization projects to update, remodel or replace aging hospital facilities, record systems, and equipment necessary to maintain the operations of the hospital. Maximum awards will be $125,000. An eligible hospital is a general acute care hospital of 50 or fewer beds located in a community with a population of less than 15,000, according to United States Census Bureau statistics, outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. Pre-applications are due November 13. Go to: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/
–The Agstar Fund for Rural America is offering grants to nonprofit organizations in the service area where AgStar has a significant business presence in Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The Fund focuses its giving program in the following four major areas: education, environment, technology, and quality of life. Deadline: 11/30/2015. Visit the AgStar website here to review the funding guidelines and application instructions.
–The Corporation for National and Community Service is offering AmeriCorps grant funding for programs that are designed to strengthen communities and solve local problems. Funds may be used for programs that utilize AmeriCorps members in the following areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, healthy futures, environmental stewardship, education, and veterans and military families. Deadline: Letter of Intent (required) 12/9/2015; application deadline 1/20/2016. Click here to visit the website for guidelines
—W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grants support programs that work in the areas of childhood education, healthy children, secure families, racial equity, and civic engagement. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
—USDA is accepting applications for loans and grants to support business expansion, create jobs and increase economic opportunities in rural communities. Funding is being provided through USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). Details about how to apply for this are found in the Federal Register here. Application forms may be obtained from any USDA Rural Development State Office.
