The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) announce it has approved a 2022 grant allotment of $2,000 on behalf of Slope Electric Cooperative to be used to support community owned entities, non-profits and community-based projects.

Eligible projects: community owned businesses (café, grocery store, motel, other); community facilities (such as ambulance services, fire districts, recreation, hospital/clinic, community center, etc.); or community-based projects (such as school/youth projects, other) that benefit rural areas and lead to community betterment.

Please note that the RDFC does not provide funds for medical fundraisers or general operating costs.

Matching funds: $4 dollars of other funds to every $1 of RDFC funds. The member cooperative is responsible for verifying the matching funds. The matching funds DO NOT need to come from the utility cooperative.

Timeframe: Now through Dec. 31, 2022

Process: Call Slope Electric Cooperative at 701-579-4191 or 800-559-4191 or email comments@slopeelectric.coop to visit about a specific project and determine eligibility. 

If it meets the qualifications, the member should complete an application and submit to Slope Electric for consideration. From there, the application will be presented to the Slope board of directors for approval. If approved, the grant application will be submitted to RDFC for final consideration.

The RDFC board gives final approval on grant requests. Once approved, a check will be made out to the recipient entity listed on the application and mailed to the RDFC contact person listed on the application.