U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development is now accepting applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative Grants program. Grants are intended to provide capacity-building assistance to improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas, including: 

• Training sub-grantees to conduct homeownership or business entrepreneur education 
• Providing technical assistance to sub-grantees, including strategic plan development, finding funding sources, and creating training tools (videos, workbooks, reference guides) 

Townships and municipal authorities are eligible to apply via Grants.gov through August 7, 2025. Paper applications must be received by 4 p.m. local time on August 12, 2025. Questions can be directed to the Rural Development Pennsylvania Office.