The USDA’s Community Facilities Programs offers direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America, including charter schools. Over the past 10 years, nearly 100 charter schools have accessed over $500 million in USDA funding and the Charter School Facility Center is working to grow that number by increasing information and access to the funding.
Following a successful April launch meeting in Lansing, MI, the Charter School Facility Center sponsored a meeting in Sacramento on Charter Schools and USDA Financing on May 9. Held in conjunction with the California Charter Schools Association and Momentum Strategy & Research, the event brought together key California stakeholders well-positioned to improve opportunities for California charter schools via USDA financing. The event opened with the latest findings from Momentum’s ongoing research into the past decade of USDA’s charter school financing (Did you know that 50% of all loans are made in just three states?). USDA officials from DC and CA presented current info about their programs and lending opportunities while CCSA presented an update on California charter schools and facilities challenges. The resulting discussion explored the challenges that have prevented more widespread use of USDA financing in California and developed ideas for moving forward and improving access.
A state meeting was held on June 4 in Austin, TX, and an information session will be held at the National Charter Schools Conference.