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Cooperative Grants – Due March 19th

2010 Initial and Advanced Assistance Grants Applications are now available! The UNL-Nebraska Cooperative Development Center (NCDC)is providing mini funding grants to new and existing cooperatively owned businesses to complete the critical stages in business development and expansion. It is often critical to have professional services when beginning or expanding a business venture and the NCDC is equipped to provide grants to cooperatives and groups who are in need of assistance in obtaining legal services, accounting, consulting, and other development services.

Two Types of Grants Available

Initial Assistance Grants are available to unincorporated cooperative groups or steering committees and can be awarded for amounts up to $2,000.  The grant is designed for groups or steering committees, and others who are exploring a business idea and will conduct exploratory research.

Advanced Development Grants are available to incorporated cooperatively owned businesses (LLCs, Cooperatives, etc.) and can be awarded for amounts up to $3,500.  The grant is designed for groups who are ready to hire professional services (i.e. legal/ financial) or develop marketing materials.

2010 Timeline

  • Call for Proposals: February 5, 2010
  • Applications Due: March 19, 2010 by 4:00pm Central Time
  • Expected Awards Made: April 9, 2010
  • Grant Activities Completed no later than September 30, 2010
  • Final Reports submitted to NCDC by October 29, 2010
  • Approximately six months to complete grant.

NO EXTENSIONS

These are competitive grants.  Funding is limited so not all grants will be funded. Grant applications will be reviewed by Nebraska Cooperative Development Advisory Board members.

For an application, visit the NCDC website.  Questions can be addressed to Jim Crandall, jcrandall3@unl.edu and Elaine Cranford, ecranford2@unl.edu

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“RURAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES” PROGRAMS THAT PREPARE YOUTH FOR 21ST CENTURY

Kearney, Neb., February 12, 2010-USDA Rural Development, USDA Farm Service Agency and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) will present “Rural Funding Opportunities” on Tuesday, February 23rd at the Ramada Convention Center in Kearney, Nebraska from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  This MarketPlace pre-session will focus on programs currently underway through NCTA in Curtis, Nebraska that help prepare students for the demands of the 21st Century.  Rural Development and Farm Service Agency provided financial assistance and partnership support towards this effort.   

The 100-Beef Cow Ownership Advantage Program offers students a chance to start building cash flow and collateral.  Students are prepared to be farm and ranch owners instead of perpetual hired hands as they are helped to graduate with a 100-cow herd of their own.   The same approach, building net worth and business knowledge, is applied to crop production through the 100-Acre Program.  The Business Builder Program advocates small town business ownership as it brings students together with small businesses in need of successors. 

Information on other Rural Development and Farm Service Agency programs will be available.  A full MarketPlace agenda is located at http://www.cfra.org/marketplace/agenda-nebraska .  Registration information can be found at http://www.cfra.org/marketplace/registration .  The Fourth Annual Nebraska MarketPlace is your opportunity to learn new skills, network with service providers and other entrepreneurs and discover what works for your small business and community.

Contact Deborah Drbal (402) 437-5558, Deborah.drbal@ne.usda.gov for further information.