Rolling, apply any timePossible fit

Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program

USDA Rural Development Federal

Checked Oct 25, 2026 on rd.usda.gov

Award: Grant covers 15% to 75% of project cost, depending on town size and income. No dollar maximum published.
Next date: Rolling, apply any time
Who can apply: Local governments, Nonprofits, Daycares and preschools, Schools
Where: National

Federal money for small towns and rural nonprofits to build or equip community facilities. The smallest, lowest-income towns can get grants for up to 75% of project cost, often paired with a low-interest loan. Playgrounds are not named, but child care centers and community centers are listed examples.

Could a playground win this?

Possible fit Medium confidence

Playgrounds and parks are not named, but the program pays to construct or improve essential community facilities such as community centers, child care centers and fairgrounds, and to buy equipment. A playground tied to one of these facilities in a rural community of 20,000 or fewer could fit. The grant covers only part of the project cost, and you must show you cannot finance it from your own resources or commercial credit.

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing

Based on the funder's words, from rd.usda.gov (opens in a new tab). This is our read, not the funder's.

About the match

The grant pays only a share of eligible project costs. The share is largest for the smallest, lowest-income communities and drops to as little as 15 percent for larger or higher-income areas. The rest can come from the program's low interest loans, other financing or your own funds. The page does not say whether in-kind or volunteer contributions count.

On a $50,000 playground project, the grant would cover up to $37,500 and you would provide $12,500.

How to apply

Contact your state's USDA Rural Development office (chosen by state on the funder page).
Get a Unique Entity ID and register in SAM.gov (free).
Work with the state office on the application. Preparation can take weeks to months.

See this grant on rd.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)

All the details

Match: Grants cover up to 75% of costs in towns of 5,000 or fewer with low incomes, 55% up to 12,000 people, 35% or 15% up to 20,000. Low-interest loans can cover the rest.
Deadline: Rolling, apply any time
Cycle: Applications accepted year round (Oct 1 to Sep 30).
Who can apply, in full: Public bodies, community-based nonprofits and federally recognized tribes in rural areas of 20,000 people or fewer.
What it funds: Buying, building or improving essential community facilities and buying equipment. Examples include child care centers, community centers, private schools and town facilities.
Area: Rural towns and areas of 20,000 people or fewer, in every state.
Contact: Your state USDA Rural Development office.
Funder: USDA Rural Development (Federal)
Source we checked: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program (opens in a new tab)
Date last checked: Sun, Oct 25, 2026

We summarize public information. Always confirm details with the funder before applying.