Community Development Corporations:
Breathing New Life into Rural Communities
The Community Economic Development Grants Program, one of the Rural Center's longest-running programs, provides financial assistance to minority community development corporations to help them improve the economic well-being and quality of life in their communities.
Rural Center grants are used by the CDCs to provide business loans, revitalize commercial districts, build housing for low-to-moderate income families, operate child-care programs, provide literacy training, engage in long-term community planning, and other activities tailored to local needs. To accomplish these tasks, the CDCs also raise money from other state and national sources.
North Carolina's CDCs have their roots in the national 30-year old self-help movement aimed at neighborhood revitalization. The State of North Carolina first funded CDCs in 1988, when the Rural Center received its initial appropriation. The legislature has provided funds for the program in all subsequent years.
In addition to funding, the Rural Center provides CDCs with technical assistance through workshops and one-on-one consultations. This assistance ranges from help with fund-raising and fiscal oversight to instruction on how to run housing and other programs.
The Rural Center's CDC grants program targets three categories of CDCs.
Category I: New CDCs. These are CDCs that 1) have not previously received state funds for community development projects 2) are in the early stages of organizational development, or 3) have not demonstrated substantial project capacity. The maximum grant award for this category is $45,000.
Category II: Previously Funded CDCs. These are CDCs that have received grant awards from the Rural Center in the past. Funding in this category assists in financing a specific project(s) and in sustaining the ongoing efforts of the organization. Past performance must be clearly documents. The maximum grant award in this category is $65,000.
Eligibility
Grants are available at varying levels according to the CDC's stage of development and its track record of completed projects. "New and emerging" CDCs may receive a maximum of $45,000. CDCs that have received previous funding are eligible for funding up to $65,000 or more based on 1) the availability of funds and 2) the organization's demonstrated capacity to engage in substantial community and economic development activities.
To be eligible under this program, an organization must be incorporated under N.C. General Statute 55A and must have received its federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. It also must be able to provide evidence of organizational activity. Additional requirements apply for higher funding levels.
How To Apply
Applications for the Community Economic Development Grants Program are accepted in the fall. To determine the deadline for receipt of applications, please call the Rural Center.
To Download a word file of the CDC grant application click here.
Applications may also be obtained by contacting the center. Please note that application instructions and forms are subject to change.
- Rural Center contact:
- Helen McInnis, Director
Community Economic Development Grants Program
Rural Economic Development Center
4021 Carya Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
Telephone: 919-250-4314
Fax: 919-250-4325
