Designed to help rural officials, including tribal governments and community leaders, quickly identify sources of assistance for rural development, this guide catalogs approximately 440 sources of public and private national level technical and financial resource assistance. The sources of assistance listed generally focus on local governments and communities rather than individuals. Only those sources that are available in at least a 3-state area are included. Although the federal government has by far the largest number of listings, the guide is unique in its inclusion of private nonprofit resource providers--interest groups, service and civic clubs, professional and trade associations, churches, and foundations. Sources are listed in six broad categories: Community Facilities, Services (including education), General Community Improvement, Natural Resources, Information/Research/Liaison, and Multipurpose Foundations. Within each topic, sources of technical and then financial assistance are presented. Each reference includes the resource, resource title, resource provider, who may apply, special conditions (if any), resource provided, and resource contact. The appendix lists federal agencies' state and regional offices, state government development agencies, and other useful federal and state contacts, as well as regional offices for private providers. A comprehensive subject index provides a listing of key words to help locate specific information. (BRR)