Opportunity Information: Apply for OAO 00003
Apply for OAO 00003
- The DM Office of Advocacy and Outreach in the agriculture community development education natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grant" 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 Jan 31, 2011 and posted on Jan 4, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 15, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $19,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 60 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grant is a discretionary federal grant offered by the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) under CFDA 10.443, the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers program. The core purpose of this funding is to support organizations that can deliver practical, on-the-ground outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners within a defined geographic area. A central emphasis of this specific funding notice is helping these producers connect directly to USDA programs, meaning applicants are expected to do more than general education. The work should actively help eligible individuals understand, access, and navigate USDA opportunities and services.
Projects supported by this grant are expected to be delivered in a linguistically appropriate manner, which signals that the USDA is looking for applicants who can effectively reach communities that may face language barriers or require culturally competent communication strategies. In practice, that can include bilingual or multilingual outreach materials, interpretation, community-based workshops, one-on-one application support, and other forms of technical assistance designed to reduce the friction that often keeps underserved producers from successfully participating in USDA programs. While the announcement does not list every eligible activity in the text provided, the repeated focus on connecting participants to USDA programs strongly suggests that strong proposals will include clear plans for outreach, education, referrals, application assistance, and follow-through support that results in measurable engagement with USDA resources.
Funding levels are relatively substantial for this type of technical assistance program. The agency indicates an award ceiling of up to $1,200,000 per grant, with an annual budget cap of $400,000 per year, implying projects may be structured over multiple years as allowed by the RFP while staying under the yearly limit. The minimum award amount listed is $1,000. The estimated total funding available through this request for proposals is approximately $19,000,000, and the agency anticipated making around 60 awards. Importantly, there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which reduces the barrier to entry for smaller organizations and community-based groups that may not have the ability to raise non-federal match.
Eligible applicants cover a broad set of mission-driven and educational institutions that commonly work directly with producers and rural communities. Eligibility includes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). This range suggests USDA intended to fund both academic and community-rooted implementers, including tribal entities, as long as they can demonstrate the capability to serve the target population effectively within a specific service area.
Administratively, this opportunity was posted January 4, 2011, with a closing date of February 15, 2011 (the original and current closing dates are the same in the source information). The funding opportunity number is OAO 00003, and it was categorized under several funding activity areas: agriculture, community development, education, and natural resources. For applicant support during the open period, USDA advertised weekly conference calls held on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 to answer questions about the FY2011 OASDFR RFP. Applicants could call 800-867-6144 with passcode 2631, and they were encouraged to email questions in advance to OASDFR@osec.usda.gov, with questions received at least 24 hours prior addressed on the call. The general contact phone number provided for the Office of Advocacy and Outreach was 202-720-6350 for assistance accessing the full announcement or for general inquiries.
Overall, this grant is designed for organizations that can demonstrate real capacity to reach socially disadvantaged producers, communicate effectively in the languages those communities use, and provide hands-on assistance that results in increased participation in USDA programs. The size of the awards and the emphasis on targeted outreach and technical support indicate USDA was looking for well-organized, geographically focused projects with clear service delivery plans and tangible outcomes tied to USDA program access.
FAQs: Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grant (USDA OAO, CFDA 10.443)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal competitive grant offered by the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) under CFDA 10.443, as part of the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers program. It is titled the Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grant.
What is the main purpose of the funding?
The core purpose is to fund organizations that can deliver practical, on-the-ground outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners within a defined geographic area, with a strong emphasis on helping them connect directly to USDA programs.
What does "connect directly to USDA programs" mean in practice?
Based on the emphasis in the notice, applicants are expected to do more than general education. Projects should actively help eligible individuals understand, access, and navigate USDA opportunities and services, which can include outreach, education, referrals, application assistance, and follow-through support that results in measurable engagement with USDA resources.
Who is the target audience for services funded by this grant?
The intended participants are socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners served within a defined geographic area.
Is the project required to focus on a specific geographic service area?
Yes. The grant is described as supporting outreach and technical assistance delivered within a defined geographic area, indicating proposals should clearly identify and focus on a specific service region.
What types of activities are expected to be supported?
While the text provided does not list every eligible activity, the repeated focus on connecting participants to USDA programs suggests strong projects will include clear plans for outreach and technical assistance such as community-based workshops, one-on-one support, application assistance, referrals, and follow-through help that reduces barriers to participation in USDA programs.
Does the grant require linguistically appropriate services?
Yes. Projects are expected to be delivered in a linguistically appropriate manner, reflecting an expectation that funded organizations can effectively reach communities facing language barriers and use culturally competent communication strategies.
What are examples of "linguistically appropriate" outreach and technical assistance?
Examples mentioned or implied include bilingual or multilingual outreach materials, interpretation, community-based workshops, and one-on-one application support designed to reduce friction that can prevent underserved producers from participating in USDA programs.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is up to $1,200,000 per grant.
Is there an annual budget cap?
Yes. The agency indicates an annual budget cap of $400,000 per year, implying projects may be structured over multiple years as allowed by the RFP while staying under the yearly limit.
What is the minimum award amount?
The minimum award amount listed is $1,000.
How much total funding is available under this funding notice?
The estimated total funding available is approximately $19,000,000.
How many awards does USDA expect to make?
The agency anticipated making around 60 awards.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, as well as Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on January 4, 2011, and the closing date was February 15, 2011 (the original and current closing dates are the same in the provided source information).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is OAO 00003.
What funding activity areas does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under agriculture, community development, education, and natural resources.
Did USDA offer any applicant support or Q&A sessions during the open period?
Yes. USDA advertised weekly conference calls held on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 to answer questions about the FY2011 OASDFR RFP.
What was the call-in information for the weekly applicant conference calls?
Applicants could call 800-867-6144 with passcode 2631.
Could applicants submit questions in advance for the weekly calls?
Yes. Applicants were encouraged to email questions in advance to OASDFR@osec.usda.gov, and questions received at least 24 hours prior were addressed on the call.
Who should be contacted for help accessing the full announcement or for general inquiries?
The general contact phone number provided for the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach is 202-720-6350 for assistance accessing the full announcement or for general inquiries.
What kind of organizations does this grant seem designed to support?
It is designed for organizations that can demonstrate real capacity to reach socially disadvantaged producers, communicate effectively in the languages those communities use, and provide hands-on assistance that results in increased participation in USDA programs. The eligibility list suggests USDA intended to fund both academic and community-rooted implementers, including tribal entities.
What does USDA appear to be looking for in strong proposals (based on the emphasis in the notice)?
The notice emphasizes well-organized, geographically focused projects with clear service delivery plans and tangible outcomes tied to USDA program access. It also highlights linguistically appropriate delivery and practical, on-the-ground technical assistance that helps participants navigate USDA programs rather than only providing general information.
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