Residential and Community Green Stormwater Infrastructure Grant

The Residential and Community Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Program Grant is a funding initiative administered by the Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC), a division of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). This grant is part of WMCC’s broader Stormwater and Septic Leachate Toxics Reduction Grant Program, funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program. The program aims to support green infrastructure development that directly engages local communities and mitigates urban stormwater pollution in Western Montana. The purpose of the grant is to empower local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit groups, and educational institutions to develop or expand residential and community-based GSI programs. With the rapid urban growth in Western Montana, stormwater pollution has become a pressing environmental issue. This grant encourages the creation and implementation of projects like rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavements, native plant landscaping, and rain barrel programs that help capture, infiltrate, or reuse stormwater while educating the public about toxic pollution reduction. The program also supports activities that involve sustained community engagement and educational outreach to build long-term environmental stewardship. Eligible entities include Native American tribal governments, municipalities, counties, water and sewer districts, school districts, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and institutions of higher education. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), an active registration in SAM.gov, and be registered with the Montana Secretary of State. Projects must be implemented in Western Montana, defined as regions west of the Continental Divide. Individuals, for-profit organizations, and 501(c)(4) organizations that engage in lobbying are ineligible. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to develop a program that will extend beyond the grant’s lifespan. This includes conducting surveys to assess participant knowledge before and after the program and incorporating tools like the Stormwater Stewardship pledge. The WMCC provides toolkits and capacity support during program development and implementation. Eligible costs include native plants, paving materials, educational signage, outreach events, advertising, printing, and professional services for GSI project creation. Ineligible expenses include non-native plants, capital costs, indirect costs, and tool purchases. Administrative costs are allowable under federal procurement guidelines (2 C.F.R. Part 200). Each award under this program is capped at $50,000, and the total available funding pool is $245,000. A 25% nonfederal cost-share is required, which may include in-kind contributions such as volunteer time or staff hours. Applications are accepted online through the WMCC Submittable portal. Projects must be completed, including final reporting, by March 2029. Extensions may be granted upon request no later than six months before the deadline, with approval from WMCC and EPA. Projects that include community outreach, educational components, and elements of sustainable program development will be prioritized during evaluation.

Toolkit available with outreach templates, pledge forms, and survey tools.