Revolving Fund Program | RDRUS 20 RFP

Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS 20 RFP

The Revolving Fund Program (Funding Opportunity Number: RDRUS 20 RFP) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Utilities Programs. The purpose of the program is to help eligible nonprofit organizations establish a revolving loan fund (often called an RLF) that can then be used to finance projects tied to rural water and waste disposal systems. In practical terms, the grant helps a qualified nonprofit set up a pool of capital that it can lend out for the extension, repair, upgrade, or improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities. As loans are repaid back into the fund, the money can be re-lent for additional projects, which is the core idea behind a "revolving" fund.

Funding is provided in the form of a grant, and the program sits at the intersection of several public-purpose areas, including agriculture, community development, environment, and health. The infrastructure supported through the loans is closely connected to public health and environmental outcomes, since safe drinking water and reliable wastewater treatment are foundational services for rural quality of life, economic stability, and compliance with water quality standards.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. That means the applicant must be a qualifying charitable nonprofit (not a university or college) capable of administering a loan program. The intent is that the nonprofit acts as the fund manager, making and servicing loans to support eligible water and waste disposal system improvements in rural areas. The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 10.864, which corresponds to USDA rural utilities water-related assistance programming.

The opportunity was created on March 12, 2020, with an original closing date of June 12, 2020. The posting indicated an expectation of about four awards. The listed award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically signals that the maximum award amount was not specified in the summarized record and would normally require checking the full notice or program guidance for any caps, typical award sizes, matching expectations, or other financial constraints.

Overall, this grant opportunity is designed to multiply the impact of federal dollars by enabling a nonprofit to capitalize a lending mechanism rather than funding only one-time construction. By creating a revolving loan fund, the program aims to provide ongoing access to financing for rural communities and local water and wastewater providers that need to extend service, modernize aging systems, and improve reliability and safety over time.

• The Department of Agriculture, 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 12, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 12, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for RDRUS 20 RFP

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