Federal Funding
Information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is a federal public law passed by the 111th United States Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009. The ARRA makes supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, health care preservation and improvement, expansion of education opportunities, assistance to the unemployed, and state and local fiscal stabilization, and for other purposes, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. ARC has compiled a list of federal agency Web pages with information on ARRA grant opportunities relevant to community and economic development in Appalachia.
Requirement for Federal Grant Applicants: the DUNS Number
Applicants for federal grants or cooperative agreements must use a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number on applications. The DUNS number allows the federal government to track the "family trees" of corporations and agencies applying for and receiving federal funds and to confirm their addresses and points of contact.
What should you do? Confirm that your agency has a DUNS number (individuals are exempt from this requirement). If you need a DUNS number, you can get one free by calling toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or by visiting www.dnb.com/us/.
For further information, contact Sandra R. Swab, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget, at 202 395-5642 (direct), 202-395-3993 (main office), or email sswab@omb.eop.gov.
Funding Available from Federal Agencies
Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission funds projects that address the four goal areas identified in ARC's strategic plan: increasing job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia to reach parity with the nation; strengthening the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy; developing and improving Appalachia's infrastructure to make the Region economically competitive; and building the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia's isolation. For information on ARC funding, see ARC Grants and Contracts.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is a database of all federal assistance programs available to state and local governments; public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals. Users can search the database by keyword or category to find assistance programs. Also available on the CFDA Web site is a guide on writing and developing grant proposals.
Economic Development Administration
EDA is a federal agency that provides matching-grant assistance to economically distressed areas, primarily for projects that will create and retain private-sector jobs. Communities may use EDA grants to support utility construction, industrial site development, transportation facilities, business incubators, or other development projects.
Federal Business Opportunities
The Federal Business Opportunities Web site lets users search most federal agencies to locate potential sources of funding for education programs and other areas. The site will eventually allow users to complete one application online and submit it to one or more agencies. When the site is fully functional (targeted for later this year) it will contain information and funding opportunities from 26 federal departments and agencies.
Federal Commons
Federal Commons is an Internet grants management site, offering comprehensive information on federal grant programs and funding opportunities and allowing secure online grant transactions. Users can search for information by grant topic.
Federal Communications Commission
Through the Universal Service Program, the FCC helps provide affordable telecommunications services for schools and libraries, especially those in rural and economically disadvantaged areas. Program and application information is available on the FCC Web site.
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
This agency promotes better health care services in rural America. It offers a number of funding opportunities for rural providers, in addition to news, events, and publications.
USA.gov
Provides general information about the federal government.
Grants.gov
Find grants available from many federal agencies and apply for them online.
Intermediary Relending Program
IRP finances business facilities and community development projects in rural areas through loans made by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) to intermediaries. Intermediaries re-lend funds to recipients for business facilities or community development. Intermediaries also establish revolving loan funds so that repaid loans can be used for additional loans. Intermediaries may be private non-profit corporations, public agencies, Indian groups, or cooperatives. IRP is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Rural Information Center
The Rural Information Center, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides answers to frequently asked questions on available funding for rural programs and organizations. Its Web site also offers grant-writing resources.
Rural Information Center Health Service
The Rural Information Center Health Service provides information on federal rural health grants, as well as information on private and nonprofit foundations that fund programs related to rural health. For each grant opportunity, the scope of activity funded, the deadline for application submission, and contact information are provided. The site also offers information on special foundation funding initiatives, and on foundation fellowships and health education assistance. A master list of foundations that address health care issues is also provided. The site is updated twice a month.
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Through its Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, the Rural Utilities Service provides loans and grants to support use of advanced telecommunications in rural health care. An application guide and detailed information are on the Rural Utilities Service Web site.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The HUD site provides information about funding programs for groups involved in housing and community development, including lenders, first-time homebuyers, nonprofits, and multifamily housing developers. HUD also awards grants for educational programs, brownfields initiatives, community development block grant programs, and other areas.
USDA Rural Development
Rural Development, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is an important funding source for infrastructure projects in most Appalachian communities. Rural Development administers Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Office of Community Development programs that provide grants, loans, and other support for community infrastructure, housing development, and business assistance.
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