Kings County
Merced County
San Joaquin County
Stanislaus CountyIn 2005, NCCLF expanded its reach into California’s Central Valley to help nonprofit organizations better serve their communities. We have been working extensively on an initiative to provide technical assistance, resources and/or capital to rural communities most in need.
Throughout 2010, the unemployment rate in the Central Valley hovered around 20%, and even now wages remain significantly lower than the state average. The Great Valley Center reports that the Central Valley receives only 64% of the US average federal per capita spending, and that revenues among local nonprofits are only 56% of the national average. Yet for all of the problems affecting them, these areas are experiencing the highest levels of population growth in the region, positioning the Central Valley’s population to double in the next 40 years.
Our Central Valley office is located at 4949 E. Kings Canyon Rd., Suite 108, Fresno, CA 93727. For more information, please contact Alice Rocha at (559) 452-0327 or e-mail her at: arocha@ncclf.org
The United States Department of Agriculture provides grants to support regional economic development strategies and promote job creation through the Rural Business Opportunity Grant Program. The program promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities and regions with exceptional needs.
Last year, for example, Ecotrust in Portland, Oregon received a RBOG grant to increase recruitment of producers and buyers in rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. It also used the grant to provide training and assistance for FoodHub, which is an online directory and marketplace designed to connect wholesale food buyers and sellers.
The Rural Business Assistance program provides training and technical assistance grants for business development, entrepreneurs, and economic development officials and assists with economic development planning. Funding is available to rural public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Native American tribes and cooperatives with primarily rural members that conduct activities for the mutual benefit of the membership.
Application instructions may be obtained here, or by contacting a USDA Rural Development State Office. The United States Department of Agriculture administers several other funding programs focused on rural development; at the USDA Rural Development site, you can learn how to strengthen your community through grants and loans from the federal government.
The United States Department of Agriculture accepts applications to participate in a demonstration program to preserve and revitalize existing Multi-Family Housing projects financed by Rural Development. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “A top priority of the Obama Administration is to ensure that rural Americans have access to decent, safe and affordable housing.” Vilsack also noted, “Funding from this program will improve conditions of multi-family housing complexes without increasing rent for low-income residents.” The goal of the Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration Program is to restructure selected loans for rental and farm-labor housing developments to guarantee the long-term quality of these rental housing units. Among several revitalization financial tools, grants are available to correct health and safety violations to ensure safe and affordable housing for very-low-, low- or moderate-income residents.
The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grants are targeted to help improve and expand domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Nonprofit corporations are eligible to apply, as are agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities and Tribal governments.
More than 895 community benefits organizations make their home in Merced County, where 24.6% of residents are living below the poverty level. To grow and continue to strengthen the community, Merced County’s nonprofits need access to local real estate resources. This site connects you with service providers and government agencies for your real estate project so that your program will thrive.
We are actively seeking partnerships and information regarding your county. Please contact us with pictures, suggestions or ideas. In the meantime, feel free to post your space needs and connect with other nonprofits in your county.
None of Merced County‘s community benefits organizations received grant funding in the past year. Find grantmakers in your county through The Foundation Center to finance your program and bring new funding streams into your area.
Merced County makes funding available for community projects that facilitate economic growth and enhance the quality of life in low-income areas. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for these Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) through a grant process.
Often buildings with nonprofit uses are eligible for a reduction on their property tax bill. The Welfare Exemption (pdf) will explain the qualifications and process for organizations interested in reducing operating costs. Contact your local tax assessors if you think your building is eligible.
