Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS 15 01 RFP
Apply for RDRUS 15 01 RFP
- The Utilities Programs in the agriculture community development environment health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revolving Fund Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.864 Grant Program to Establish a Fund for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 16, 2015 and posted on Feb 20, 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 $1,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Revolving Fund Program (RFP) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run through USDA Rural Development's Utilities Programs (RUS) to help communities address water and wastewater needs by improving access to small, flexible financing. Instead of funding construction projects directly, the program awards grants to qualified private, nonprofit organizations so they can create and operate a revolving loan fund. The basic idea is that the nonprofit uses the grant to establish a local lending program, makes loans to eligible borrowers for certain types of water and wastewater project costs, and then as those loans are repaid, the money revolves back into the fund to finance additional projects over time.
Only certain organizations can apply as the direct grant recipient. Eligible applicants are private nonprofit organizations, specifically those listed in the notice as nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education). The nonprofits that receive these grants act as intermediaries: they are responsible for setting up the loan fund, developing and following an approved work plan, underwriting and issuing loans, and managing repayment so the funds can be reused.
The entities that can ultimately receive loans from the revolving fund are the same types of borrowers that are eligible for USDA's Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) loan and grant programs under 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) and (2). In practice, that generally means rural and small community-level public bodies and service providers involved in water or wastewater infrastructure, such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, tribes, and certain nonprofit associations that provide utility-type services, consistent with the underlying WWD eligibility rules.
Loan proceeds from the revolving fund are meant to cover targeted, early-stage or short-term needs rather than routine operating expenses. The program emphasizes financing predevelopment costs for water or wastewater projects (for example, costs that arise before a project is ready for full-scale construction financing) and short-term, small capital projects that are not part of the normal operation and maintenance of existing systems. Each loan to an eligible entity is capped at $100,000, must be repaid within a term of no more than 10 years, and carries an interest rate established through the nonprofit's approved grant work plan.
For the specific opportunity described (Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS 15 01 RFP; CFDA 10.864), USDA anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $1,000,000. The maximum award amount listed is $100,000. Cost sharing or matching is required. The opportunity was posted February 20, 2015, with an application closing date of April 13, 2015, and it was archived May 13, 2015. The funding activity areas tied to the opportunity include agriculture, community development, environment, and health, reflecting the public health and economic importance of reliable water and wastewater services.
For applicants or interested parties who needed help accessing the full announcement at the time, the listed contact was Joyce Taylor, Community Specialist, at (202) 720-0499.
Revolving Fund Program (RFP) - Water and Wastewater (USDA Rural Development) FAQs
What is the Revolving Fund Program (RFP)?
The Revolving Fund Program (RFP) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered through USDA Rural Development's Utilities Programs (RUS). It supports communities with water and wastewater needs by expanding access to small, flexible financing through a locally operated revolving loan fund.
Does this program pay for construction projects directly?
No. Based on the description provided, the program does not fund construction projects directly. Instead, USDA awards grants to qualified private, nonprofit organizations so they can establish and operate a revolving loan fund that then makes loans to eligible borrowers for certain water and wastewater project costs.
How does a revolving loan fund work under this program?
The nonprofit intermediary uses the grant to create a local lending program and issues loans to eligible entities for allowed water and wastewater purposes. As borrowers repay those loans, the repayments go back into the fund, allowing the same pool of money to be loaned again to finance additional projects over time.
Who can apply to USDA as the direct grant recipient?
Only certain organizations can apply as the direct grant recipient. Eligible applicants are private nonprofit organizations, specifically those described in the notice as nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education).
What role does the nonprofit grantee play if selected?
The nonprofit grantee acts as an intermediary responsible for creating and operating the revolving loan fund. Responsibilities include establishing the fund, developing and following an approved work plan, underwriting and issuing loans, and managing repayment so funds can be reused.
Who can receive loans from the revolving fund?
The entities that can receive loans from the revolving fund are the same types of borrowers eligible under USDA's Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) loan and grant programs under 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) and (2). In practice, this generally includes rural and small community-level public bodies and service providers involved in water or wastewater infrastructure, such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, tribes, and certain nonprofit associations that provide utility-type services, consistent with the underlying WWD eligibility rules.
What types of costs can revolving fund loans cover?
Loan proceeds are intended to cover targeted, early-stage or short-term needs rather than routine operating expenses. The program emphasizes financing predevelopment costs for water or wastewater projects (costs incurred before a project is ready for full-scale construction financing) and short-term, small capital projects that are not part of normal operation and maintenance of existing systems.
Can revolving fund loans be used for routine operations and maintenance (O&M)?
No. The information provided indicates the program is focused on predevelopment and short-term small capital needs and explicitly distinguishes these from routine operating expenses and normal operation and maintenance of existing systems.
What is the maximum loan amount a borrower can receive from the revolving fund?
Each loan made to an eligible entity is capped at $100,000.
What is the maximum repayment term for a revolving fund loan?
Each loan must be repaid within a term of no more than 10 years.
How is the interest rate on revolving fund loans determined?
The interest rate is established through the nonprofit's approved grant work plan.
How much funding did USDA anticipate awarding under this specific opportunity?
For the specific opportunity described, USDA anticipated making about three awards with an estimated total funding amount of $1,000,000.
What was the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The maximum award amount listed is $100,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is required.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RDRUS 15 01 RFP, and the CFDA number is 10.864.
What were the key dates for this opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on February 20, 2015. The application closing date was April 13, 2015. The opportunity was archived on May 13, 2015.
What funding activity areas are associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity areas tied to the opportunity include agriculture, community development, environment, and health.
Why are water and wastewater projects connected to health and community development in this opportunity?
The description notes that reliable water and wastewater services have public health and economic importance, which aligns with the listed activity areas such as health, environment, and community development.
Who was the listed contact for help accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact was Joyce Taylor, Community Specialist, at (202) 720-0499.
Is this opportunity currently open?
No. The information provided states the opportunity was archived on May 13, 2015, and the application closing date was April 13, 2015.
How many awards were expected to be made?
USDA anticipated making about three awards under this specific opportunity.
What is the core purpose of making grants to nonprofits instead of directly to communities?
Based on the description, the core purpose is to enable qualified nonprofits to operate as intermediaries that provide small, flexible loans for eligible water and wastewater needs, with repayments replenishing the fund so financing can continue over time.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Community Development Environment Health
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