Rural Grant Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program 

Program Overview

The Rural Grant Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TA/CB) program, funded by HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), provides comprehensive support to organizations in the Northern Border Region. As part of the Northern Border Region Technical Assistance Center (NBR-TAC) program, we assist the Northern Border Regions in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and northern New York by offering specialized grant support to enhance rural health and wellness initiatives. 

We empower non-profit and community-based organizations to enhance rural healthcare delivery through targeted technical assistance, resource development, and sustainable program implementation. Our work focuses on building lasting capacity for rural health initiatives while ensuring long-term program sustainability. 

Core Program Goals

  • We can help rural organizations identify and pursue relevant funding opportunities, connecting them with federal, state, and private funding sources aligned with their mission and capabilities. 

  • Our program strengthens organizations' ability to compete effectively for grants through targeted technical assistance, resource provision, and application development support. 

  • We provide comprehensive support for successful grant administration, ensuring organizations can effectively manage their awards and meet all compliance requirements. 

  • Our approach emphasizes developing sustainable programming strategies, helping organizations build long-term operational capacity beyond initial grant funding. 

  • We assist in creating and maintaining resources that support continued program operations, focusing on both immediate and long-term organizational needs. 

Access Services & Support Through…

Direct Technical Assistance (TA) 

  • One-on-one technical consultation and assistance tailored to your organization's needs 

  • Personalized guidance through grant applications and management 

  • Program design and budget development support 

Network Development 

  • Partner connection facilitation 

  • Professional network building 

  • Collaboration opportunity identification 

  • Access to rural health experts and practitioners 

Curated Resources  

  • Curated resource library (linked below) 

  • Grant application templates and tools 

  • Best practices documentation 

Curated Resources

Grant Writing Support

We maintain an extensive collection of grant writing resources, including: 

  • Federal grant writing manuals and guides 

  • Application templates and examples 

  • Budget development tools 

  • Compliance requirement documentation 

Funding Research Support

Support with navigating comprehensive funding databases and search tools: 

  • Federal grant opportunity listings 

  • State-specific funding resources 

  • Private foundation directories 

  • Rural-focused funding programs

Upcoming Grant Opportunities​

  • Rural Health Network Development Planning Program

    Due 02/19/2025

    HRSA Funded

    Learn More

  • Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program

    Due 04/22/2025

    HRSA Funded

    Learn More

  • New England Environmental Justice Thriving Communities

    First Round Due 03/07/2025

    EPA Funded

    Learn More

  • Catalyst Program

    Pre-Application Due 03/07/2025

    Learn More

Contact and Next Steps 

For program support and inquiries, connect with us! 

Ashley Mills, MHA 
TA/CB Program Consultant

Email: amills@newenglandrha.org

Ashley N. Mills, MHA 

Rural Grants TA/CB Program Consultant 

Ashley Mills brings extensive expertise in rural healthcare development and grant implementation to the New England Rural Health Association's TA/CB Program. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare and nonprofit management, she offers a unique perspective that combines hands-on rural healthcare experience with comprehensive grant management expertise. 

Ashley's approach to TA draws from her multifaceted experience in the grant lifecycle - as an applicant, recipient, reviewer, and federal site visitor. Her expertise spans the full spectrum of grant management, from initial program design through evaluation and reporting. She has successfully led multiple federal grant initiatives focused on rural health, managing complex multi-year projects and partnerships. Her work has directly supported rural healthcare organizations in developing sustainable programs addressing critical areas such as behavioral health integration, care coordination, and social determinants of health. 

As a reviewer for federal programs, Ashley brings unique insight into what makes applications successful. She has evaluated proposals for multiple federal agencies and understands both the technical requirements and narrative elements that strengthen applications. This perspective, combined with her experience in program implementation, allows her to guide organizations in developing proposals that are both compelling and practically achievable. 

Ashley's dedication to community health is grounded in her early career as a Behavioral Health Professional and Case Manager in Maine's rural communities, where she experienced firsthand the challenges of healthcare access and delivery in rural settings. This foundation, coupled with her Master's in Health Administration from St. Joseph's College of Maine, and continued work with community health centers and community-based organizations nationally, she provides practical, results-oriented guidance to organizations seeking to enhance their rural health services and create sustainable programs.