Rural Gateway announced resources and funding opportunities available for Spring 2021.

The open funding opportunities are as follows:

• The Bank of America Charitable Foundation: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation works to advance pathways to economic mobility in order to build thriving communities. The Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that serve specific states and regions in the United States. In 2021, the Foundation will issue two requests for proposals that address the following focus areas: The Economic Mobility Focused on the Needs of Individuals and Families category provides support for workforce development, education, and basic needs. Applications will be accepted from January 25 through February 19, 2021. The Economic Mobility Focused on the Needs of the Community category provides support for affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and small businesses. Applications will be accepted from May 31 through June 25, 2021.
   
• Dollar General Literacy Foundation: The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and libraries that offer literacy programs in communities served by Dollar General in every state with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, and Montana. The Foundation provides support through the following grant programs: Adult Literacy Grants support nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance. Family Literacy Grants support family literacy service providers that combine parent and youth literacy instruction. Summer Reading Grants help nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries with the creation or expansion of summer reading programs for students who are below grade level readers or readers with learning disabilities. Online applications for the three programs described above must be submitted by February 18, 2021.
   
• Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC): The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) released a Request for Proposals for applications for the 2021 POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. POWER seeks to diversify economies in communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production. ARC is making funds available through the POWER Initiative for regional investments to develop a competitive workforce, foster entrepreneurial activities, develop industry clusters, strengthen substance abuse response, and expand broadband in coal-impacted areas. Application Due Date: Required Letters of Intent (due Friday, March 5 by 5:00 pm EST) should be submitted via this fillable PDF form to power@arc.gov.
   
• Dept. of Health and Human Services – Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Implementation: The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is a multi-year initiative by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), in high risk rural communities. This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under RCORP-Implementation. Application Due Date: March 12, 2021.
   
• The Andrew Family Foundation: The Andrew Family Foundation seeks to partner with one or more nonprofit organizations in the United States offering creative solutions that address issues facing under-resourced communities as well as the protection and preservation of the natural environment in which they live. The Foundation seeks to support one or more organizations focused on alleviating disparities in food access, affordable housing, high quality education, physical and psychological healthcare, and/or criminal justice. Preference will be given to organizations whose programming is intersectional, alleviating these disparities while demonstrating an interest to conserve our planet's natural resources and promote environmental sustainability. The Foundation will award grant(s) of up to $600,000 to be paid over a three-year period. Application Due Date: Letters of inquiry are due by March 15, 2021.
   
• The Nature's Path Gardens for Good Program: The Nature's Path Gardens for Good Program supports nonprofit organizations with community garden projects in the U.S. and Canada. The focus is on community gardens that make fresh organic food more accessible in the local neighborhood. Grants must be used specifically for the development of an organic garden that will supply food to a nonprofit feeding agency such as a food bank, soup kitchen, emergency pantry, shelter, before- or after-school program, or other similar type of program. Projects must demonstrate high community support and a viable plan for the project. For 2021, Nature's Path will award 21 grants of $5,000 each. The application cycle will be open from February 5 to March 24, 2021.
   
• FCC – Universal Service Administrative Company – The Rural Health Care Program: The Rural Health Care Program provides funding to eligible healthcare providers in rural areas for telecommunications and broadband services necessary for the provision of healthcare. Application Due Date: April 1, 2021.
   
• Dept. of Health and Human Services – HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Psychostimulant Support: The RCORP-Psychostimulant Support (RCORP-PS) released a notice announcing the opportunity to apply for funding under RCORP-PS. RCORP-PS will advance RCORP’s overall goal by strengthening and expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery services for rural individuals who misuse psychostimulants to enhance their ability to access treatment and move towards recovery. Over the course of a three-year period of performance, RCORP-PS award recipients will implement a set of core psychostimulant use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery activities. Application Due Date: April 21, 2021.
   
• Dept. of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program (RHSE): The Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program (RHSE) funds community-based outreach education and extension programs at land-grant colleges and universities that provide individuals and families in rural areas with information on health, wellness, and prevention. Includes programs providing training for health service providers and volunteers to carry out health promotion and outreach services. Supports community efforts to prevent or reduce opioid misuse as well as initiatives to prevent and mitigate transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including strategies that utilize telehealth, telemedicine, and distance learning. Application Due Date: April 29, 2021.
   
• Dept. of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program: The Dept. of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program awards grants to enhance or expand existing farm to school initiatives and other experiential learning initiatives related to food and agriculture, especially in underserved areas. Promotes engagement between parts of the food system, farms, and schools in order to increase understanding of agriculture and improve children's nutritional health. Aims to increase low-income children's access to school meals, while improving the quality of food served in schools. Application Due Date: May 3, 2021.
   

Visit the Rural Gateway Open Funding Opportunities page for more information.