With the federal funding and policy landscape shifting quickly, many rural leaders are facing uncertainty about the road ahead for their work and their communities.

At Aspen CSG, we remain committed to equipping leaders in under-resourced communities of all sizes with the tools and resources they need. Visit our resources webpage to explore materials by type and topic, and subscribe to our newsletter for proven practices on navigating federal policy changes.

Federal Agency Resources

Administration for Children & Families (ACF)

LIHEAP and ERA Winter Month Energy Assistance Resources: LIHEAP clearinghouse webpage.
ACF and USDA joint resource guide to strengthen and expand child care facilities in rural communities.

Department of Commerce (DOC)

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) program expands middle mile broadband infrastructure and reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas.
Digital Equity Act programs that promote digital inclusion and advance equity for all to ensure all communities have affordable access and can use the internet to improve their lives.

Department of Energy (DOE)

Weatherization Assistance Program reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety.
Technical assistance for advancing Tribal energy projects to federally-recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal entities.
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs — T ribal Nations and Native Communities Resource Guide

Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): Funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills.

Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

Waivers and flexibilities from the requirements for Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG), and Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) grantees located in areas that are covered by Presidentially Declared Disasters (PDDs).
Eviction Protection Grant Program: Support for experienced legal service providers in providing free legal assistance to low-income tenants who are at risk of eviction.

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

EDA and USDA’s joint resource guide to help community organizations access USDA and EDA resources to build strategies to boost economic development in rural America. It covers Planning and Technical Assistance, Infrastructure and Broadband Expansion, Entrepreneurship and Business Assistance, and Workforce Development and Livability.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Meetings: Get up-to-date information about upcoming meetings, events, and other environmental justice topics and activities.

National Park Service (NPS)

NPS Tribal Heritage grants are providing funding to assist Indian Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages/Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations in protecting and promoting their unique cultural heritage and traditions.

US Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA)

USDA RD’s full list of grant and loan programs

USDA is seeking applications for funding available under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) initiative to support projects that will help rural people and economies prepare for the future.
Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program: financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service, and broadband in rural areas.
ReConnect Program: Apply starting September 6 for expanded access to high-speed internet for millions of people in rural America.
Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees works with qualified private-sector lenders to provide financing to qualified borrowers to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in eligible rural areas and towns.
Housing Preservation Grant program: Apply for grants to help owners of rental housing repair and rehabilitate their units.
OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative: Allows communities to submit one application to gain access to four key programs.
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program: Support for microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) with training, technical assistance, loans, and grants.
Rural Energy for America Program: Apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
Rural Energy Savings Program: Apply for loans to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) initiative: Funding for community facilities, water, and wastewater disposal.
Electric Infrastructure Loan Program: Loans for the construction of electric distribution facilities.
Water & Waste Disposal Grants: Program helps reduce health risks caused by a lack of access to clean, affordable water and waste disposal on Tribes.
Rural Utilities Service: Access to affordable and reliable telecommunications series through its various programs.
Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program: Affordable funding to develop essential community facilities (hospitals, courthouses, child care centers, museums, food pantries, etc.) in rural areas.

USDA RD Tools & Resource Guides

ReConnect Program Network and Financial Model Workbook to assist interested applicants as they prepare for the upcoming ReConnect Round 4 application window.
Digital Placemaking Toolkit: A resource to identify placemaking project that align with your community capacity.
Interactive map with browse option for programs and services in each state.
Walk-through example explaining what USDA looks for when reviewing the lenders annual income calculation.
Rural Partners Network: Alliance of federal agencies and civic partners working to expand rural prosperity through job creation, infrastructure development, and community improvement.
Resource guide on how rural communities can leverage USDA resources to build a stronger workforce.
Guide as part of National Preparedness Month to help rural communities seeking disaster resiliency and recovery assistance.
Resource guide for rural communities to develop their recreation economy.
Resource guide to help rural community leaders start and expand employment opportunities and access resources to train, recruit and create a sustainable rural workforce.

US Department of Agriculture

Community Wildfire Defense Grants are intended to help at-risk local communities and Tribes plan and reduce the risk against wildfire.
Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program offers guaranteed loans for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) program provides USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations, and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) grant awards.
ACF and USDA joint resource guide to strengthen and expand child care facilities in rural communities.
Report: Impact of USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Rural and Urban Economies in the Aftermath of the Great Recession.
Action Plan for Climate Adaptation and Resilience outlines USDA’s 2021 plans to mitigate climate change and reduce climate impacts.
USDA Article Rural Poverty Has Distinct Regional and Racial Patterns.
USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) research on rural poverty and well-being.
USDA ERS state fact sheets and county-level data sets were updated with the decennial census population data for 2020.

US Treasury

Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities.
Report shows the US childcare system overburdens families, causing shortages due to inadequate supply.

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