Montana Tourism Development Grant Program

The Montana Tourism Development Grant Program (MTDGP), administered by the Montana Department of Commerce's Destination MT Division, supports rural and under-visited communities in the state through strategic investments in tourism infrastructure and destination enhancement. Funded through an allocation of the state’s 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax, also known as the bed tax, the program is designed to increase economic vitality and community appeal by fostering tourism that celebrates Montana’s unique cultural, historical, and natural assets. MTDGP is open to a specific set of eligible applicants, including economic development organizations, local and tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office. For-profit entities, individuals, and organizations not based in Montana are ineligible. Applicants must propose projects that clearly benefit designated rural and/or under-visited communities. While partnerships with urban or over-visited communities are allowed, the rural or under-visited community must remain the primary beneficiary. Funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis and is structured over a five-year lifecycle. The maximum total award per grantee is $2.75 million, allocated across five years as follows: up to $250,000 in year one, $1 million in year two, $750,000 in year three, $500,000 in year four, and $250,000 in year five. Projects may include major infrastructure development, creation or expansion of visitor attractions, contracted planning or engineering services, and program-specific travel or materials. Up to 15% of the award may be used for administration and project management. Match funding is not required but may enhance application competitiveness. Applicants must demonstrate both community commitment and readiness. This includes a vision and five-year plan, a diverse advisory committee, documented community support, and a realistic approach to local engagement. A complete application requires use of the official Montana Grants and Loans Portal and the submission of required forms, including a scope of work, budget, and advisory committee list. Application materials should be downloaded and prepared in advance. The review process includes an initial screening by Commerce staff, followed by scoring by a review committee using published criteria. Successful applicants will be contacted for contracting and required to attend an onboarding workshop. Each grantee will be assigned a liaison to assist with compliance, reimbursements, and performance monitoring. Commerce must be recognized in all public-facing materials related to the program. For questions, applicants can contact the Tourism Grant Program at [email protected] or 406-841-2796. The application period opens on December 15, 2025, and closes on January 22, 2026. The program is not recurring and only covers the current cycle.

Prepare community engagement and readiness materials early; use templates provided on the portal; include strong local support letters.