Opportunity Information: Apply for OAO 00008
Apply for OAO 00008
- The DM Office of Advocacy and Outreach in the agriculture education employment, labor and training food and nutrition health natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.443 Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 17, 2015 and posted on Feb 17, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 13, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $9,100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers grant opportunity, commonly referred to as the USDA "2501 Program," is designed to help more farmers and ranchers successfully connect with and benefit from USDA programs. The central goal is to strengthen and better coordinate outreach, technical assistance, and educational activities so that socially disadvantaged and veteran producers receive practical, understandable, and linguistically appropriate support. In plain terms, the program is meant to reduce barriers that keep these producers from fully participating in USDA services and resources, and to make sure they can navigate programs that affect starting, operating, and expanding agricultural operations.
Funding is provided as a grant (not a loan), and the opportunity is categorized as mandatory. The program anticipates making around 40 awards from an estimated total funding pool of about $9.1 million. Individual awards range from a minimum (floor) of $100 up to a maximum (ceiling) of $400,000. The listing is associated with CFDA number 10.443, which specifically covers outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. Based on the information provided, there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute matching funds as a condition of receiving an award.
Eligible applicants include a mix of organizations that are well-positioned to do direct, on-the-ground outreach and training. This includes community-based organizations and nonprofits (both those with 501(c)(3) status and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those categories), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education. The common thread across these eligible entities is their capacity to reach producers who have historically faced obstacles to accessing USDA programs, whether those obstacles are related to language, geography, limited awareness of services, lack of technical support, or other forms of disadvantage.
The activities supported by the grant fall into several broad areas, reflecting the realities of what producers need to participate effectively in federal programs. The funding activity categories include agriculture as well as education, employment and training, food and nutrition, health, and natural resources. In practice, this translates into projects that can involve outreach events, workshops, one-on-one technical assistance, and educational programming that helps producers understand eligibility, application steps, compliance expectations, and how to make strategic use of USDA offerings. A key emphasis is that outreach should be linguistically appropriate, which signals that funded projects are expected to communicate in ways that work for the intended audience, including providing materials and assistance in languages used by the communities being served.
Administratively, the opportunity is issued by the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (listed as "DM Office of Advocacy and Outreach"). The funding opportunity number is OAO 00008. The opportunity was posted on February 17, 2015, with an application closing date of April 13, 2015, and an archive date of May 13, 2015. For applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically, the program listed a direct contact: Kenya Nicholas, Program Manager, reachable by phone at 202-720-6350, with an email contact line for program officials also referenced in the notice. An additional information link is provided as a website for grant information, intended to direct applicants to the full announcement details and any required forms or guidance.
Overall, this grant opportunity is geared toward building trusted pathways between USDA and underserved producer communities by funding organizations that can deliver practical outreach and technical help. The intended impact is increased awareness, improved ability to apply, and stronger participation by socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers across the full range of USDA programs.
USDA 2501 Program (CFDA 10.443) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the USDA "2501 Program" grant?
The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers grant opportunity (commonly called the USDA "2501 Program") funds outreach, technical assistance, and education activities that help socially disadvantaged and veteran producers connect with and benefit from USDA programs.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The central goal is to strengthen and better coordinate outreach, technical assistance, and educational activities so socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers receive practical, understandable, and linguistically appropriate support. The program is intended to reduce barriers that prevent full participation in USDA services and resources and help producers navigate programs related to starting, operating, and expanding agricultural operations.
Is this funding a grant or a loan?
This opportunity provides funding as a grant, not a loan.
Is the funding considered mandatory or discretionary?
The opportunity is categorized as mandatory.
How much total funding is expected to be available?
The program anticipates an estimated total funding pool of about $9.1 million.
How many awards does the program expect to make?
The program anticipates making around 40 awards.
What is the minimum and maximum award amount?
Individual awards range from a minimum (floor) of $100 up to a maximum (ceiling) of $400,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. Based on the information provided, there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute matching funds as a condition of receiving an award.
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The listing is associated with CFDA number 10.443, which covers outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Community-based organizations and nonprofits (including organizations with 501(c)(3) status and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those categories)
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Public/state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
What types of organizations does this program aim to fund?
The program targets organizations that are well-positioned to provide direct, on-the-ground outreach and training to producers who have historically faced obstacles to accessing USDA programs. These obstacles can include language barriers, geographic challenges, limited awareness of services, and lack of technical support.
What types of activities can be supported with this grant?
Supported activities include outreach, technical assistance, and educational efforts that help producers understand and use USDA programs. Examples mentioned include outreach events, workshops, one-on-one technical assistance, and educational programming focused on eligibility, application steps, compliance expectations, and how to make strategic use of USDA offerings.
What funding activity categories are associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity categories listed include agriculture, education, employment and training, food and nutrition, health, and natural resources.
What does "linguistically appropriate" outreach mean in this context?
A key emphasis is that outreach should be linguistically appropriate, meaning funded projects are expected to communicate in ways that work for the intended audience. This includes providing materials and assistance in languages used by the communities being served.
Who issues and administers this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (listed as "DM Office of Advocacy and Outreach").
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is OAO 00008.
When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on February 17, 2015. The application closing date was April 13, 2015, and the archive date was May 13, 2015.
Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?
For applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically, the notice listed Kenya Nicholas, Program Manager, as a direct contact. The phone number provided is 202-720-6350. The notice also referenced an email contact line for program officials.
Where can applicants find additional information and required forms?
An additional information link is provided as a website for grant information, intended to direct applicants to the full announcement details and any required forms or guidance.
What is the intended impact of funded projects?
The intended impact is to build trusted pathways between USDA and underserved producer communities, increasing awareness and improving producers' ability to apply for and participate in USDA programs.
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