Federal Funding Spotlight: USDA Invests $8M in Rural Cooperatives & NOAA Opens Marine Mammal Rescue Grants

Here at PKC LLC, we keep our fingers on the pulse of federal funding to ensure our clients never miss an opportunity to fuel their mission. Today, we are highlighting two major updates from the federal grant landscape that span diverse sectors—from strengthening rural agriculture to advancing marine conservation.

Whether you are part of a rural cooperative ecosystem or a marine stranding network, here is what you need to know about these latest federal opportunities.

USDA Announces $8 Million Investment in Rural Cooperatives

In celebration of October’s National Cooperative Month, the USDA has announced a significant push to support rural prosperity.

On October 19, 2026, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business and Cooperative Programs (RBCS) Administrator Gimmie Jo Jansonius announced an $8 million investment aimed at improving the economic conditions of rural areas across the country. Funded through a partnership with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program will empower 17 cooperatives to drive economic opportunity and expand mutually owned business development.

Key Highlights of the USDA Announcement:

• The MCDC Award: The Montana Cooperative Development Center, Inc. (MCDC) is a major recipient, securing $524,993 to expand cooperative development services, advance sector-based business opportunities, and strengthen leadership. MCDC Executive Director Tracy McIntyre noted that the funding will uniquely position them to connect cooperative development with the strength of Montana’s existing cooperative community.

  
  

• Strategic Goals: The investment focuses on supporting locally owned businesses, preserving essential rural jobs, expanding market access, and sparking innovation.

  
  

• Administration Focus: Administrator Jansonius highlighted that under President Trump and Secretary Rollins, the USDA is prioritizing cooperatives "rooted in community, resilience, and shared purpose." Since the start of the administration, USDA has invested over $18.1 billion in loans and grants supporting 242 cooperatives.

  
  

“By supporting the groups that help rural cooperatives start, grow, and thrive, we are supporting a vibrant rural economy and a stronger, more innovative agricultural landscape for the future,” said NIFA Administrator Dr. Jaye Hamby.

NOAA: John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Now Open

For organizations dedicated to marine conservation, the NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has updated its Prescott Grant Program guidelines.

Authorized under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant (Assistance Listing: 11.061) provides crucial federal assistance to eligible members of the U.S. National Marine Mammal Stranding Network and the U.S. National Entanglement Response Network, as well as their collaborators.

What Does the Prescott Grant Fund?

• Recovery, care, or treatment of sick, injured, or entangled marine mammals (cetaceans and pinnipeds, excluding walruses).

  
  

• Emergency responses to marine mammal stranding events.

  
  

• Collection of data and samples from living or dead stranded marine mammals for health assessments and scientific research.

  
  

• Facility operating costs directly related to these activities.

  
  

• Development of stranding network capacity, including emergency response training in sparse or non-existent facility areas.

  
  

Who is Eligible?

The eligibility pool is broad and includes higher education institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, state/county/city governments, tribal organizations, and for-profit businesses.

Crucial Requirement: All applicants must submit a Prescott Letter of Eligibility with their application. This letter verifies that your organization is a participant in good standing with the Stranding or Entanglement Response Network, or is collaborating with one. (Note for new applicants: your letter must specifically state that you have never had a Prescott application reviewed in a previous competition's technical review process).

For program-specific questions, applicants can reach out to Mackenzie Griffin, Acting Prescott Program Manager at NOAA.

How PKC LLC Can Help

Navigating federal grant applications—whether you are aiming to expand a rural cooperative or fund a marine mammal rescue facility—requires strategic planning, precise documentation, and a clear understanding of agency priorities.

At PKC LLC, our team is highly experienced in guiding organizations through the complexities of federal funding, from assessing eligibility to crafting competitive, compliant proposals.

Are you eligible for these or other federal grants? Contact us today at PKC.LLC to discuss your strategic funding plan and see how we can help turn these opportunities into actionable growth for your organization.