The Refugee Individual Development Accounts (RIDA) Program is a discretionary grant initiative anticipated to be funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), a division within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is designed to support refugee self-sufficiency through matched savings accounts and asset-building services. The ORR’s broader mission is to provide new populations with the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the United States, and the RIDA program is an extension of this effort with a specific focus on economic integration and financial empowerment.

The RIDA Program aims to establish and manage Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) for low-income refugees. These savings accounts enable refugee participants to save money for specific asset goals, including homeownership, starting a business, purchasing a vehicle for education or work, obtaining professional certifications, and pursuing postsecondary or continuing education. Acceptable education-related expenses include fees for college entrance exams, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and General Education Diploma (GED) preparation and testing.

Eligible participants may receive matching contributions of up to $3,000 per individual and $6,000 per household from the ORR. This federal match supplements participant savings and is not considered a cost-sharing or matching requirement from the grant recipient. Instead, it constitutes the portion of grant funds set aside for directly matching refugee contributions to their IDAs. Grantees are expected to work collaboratively with ORR and the broader refugee IDA network to ensure consistent policies and effective administration of the savings programs.

The total anticipated program funding for fiscal year 2025 is $2,000,000, with an estimated six awards to be made. Individual awards will range from $250,000 to $350,000. The estimated posting date for the funding opportunity is February 28, 2025, with applications due by May 1, 2025, no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. The expected award date is August 29, 2025, and projects are set to start on September 30, 2025. This is a forecasted opportunity and not yet accepting applications.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and private nonprofit entities such as city and township governments, state and county governments, public housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations and governments (both federally recognized and other), special district governments, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding individuals and foreign entities. Faith-based and community organizations are also eligible, provided they meet the standard criteria. Applications from individuals or foreign entities will be disqualified.

Applicants may direct inquiries to Yimeem Vu at the Administration for Children and Families - ORR. He can be reached by phone at 202-401-4825 or via email at Yimeem.Vu@acf.hhs.gov. The funding opportunity number is HHS-2025-ACF-ORR-ZI-0025 and corresponds with Assistance Listing Number 93.576 under Refugee and Entrant Assistance Discretionary Grants.