Montana Natural Resources Grants

This funding opportunity supports non-governmental organizations and individuals in Montana with water-related projects that provide public benefits, such as septic upgrades and water conservation, requiring a cost-sharing commitment.

This funding opportunity supports the development and expansion of septic system maintenance programs in Western Montana to improve water quality and promote community education on proper septic care.

This funding opportunity supports conservation-focused educational initiatives for youth in Montana, providing resources for schools, educators, and community groups to promote environmental awareness and stewardship.

This program provides funding to support research, education, and local cooperative efforts aimed at managing and controlling noxious weeds across Montana.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. state agencies for conservation projects that aid in the recovery of endangered and threatened species in the Rocky Mountain region.

This program provides funding to support the development and maintenance of recreational trails and facilities across Montana, benefiting both motorized and nonmotorized trail users.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. states, territories, and eligible Indian tribes for implementing approved plans to prevent and manage invasive aquatic species.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local water authorities, Indian tribes, and other eligible entities for small-scale water storage projects that improve water management and resilience in the Western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.

This funding opportunity supports researchers and students conducting mycological studies on mushroom-forming fungi in the Pacific Northwest, covering expenses like lab work, equipment, and conference participation.

This funding initiative provides financial support to local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, and educational institutions in Western Montana to develop green stormwater infrastructure projects that reduce urban pollution and promote community engagement and education.

The Renewable Resource Grant Program (RRGL) Planning Grant aims to support governmental entities by funding professional and technical services needed to produce high-quality RRGL grant applications. These grants are focused on projects that conserve, manage, develop, or protect Montana's renewable resources. Eligible projects include feasibility, design, research, resource assessment studies, and the preparation of plans for construction, rehabilitation, or production. Eligible applicants are divisions of state government, tribal governments, and other local political subdivisions like cities, towns, counties, and various districts. Applications for funding can be submitted through specific cycles with detailed review periods.

This program provides funding to tribal communities in Montana for forestry projects that enhance green spaces, improve air and water quality, and support cultural practices and climate resilience.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations to undertake projects that conserve, preserve, or restore the environment in specific regions of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

The Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program (RRGL) is designed to support the conservation, management, development, and preservation of Montana's renewable resources. The program offers funding primarily for public facility projects like water, wastewater, and solid waste development, as well as projects related to irrigation rehabilitation, dam repair, and forest enhancement. Eligible applicants are divisions of state government, tribal governments, and other local political subdivisions, with funding available in the form of grants or loans for feasibility studies, construction plans, and implementation efforts.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in the Western United States for projects aimed at preventing the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels in aquatic ecosystems.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions and organizations within the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to study the interactions and resource use among cattle, wildlife, and wild horses in Utah's fragile ecosystems.

This funding opportunity supports landowners, watershed groups, and nonprofits in Montana to improve fish habitats and populations by restoring natural stream channels, enhancing fish passage, and protecting essential spawning areas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Indian Tribes in the western U.S. to address immediate drought challenges and improve water resource management.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Tribes in the western United States to enhance their water management and security through various projects and initiatives.