Montana Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to LGBTQ+ organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington that prioritize serving BIPOC and TGNC communities, focusing on health, education, and community building initiatives.

This grant provides funding for full-time graduate students in the Western U.S. to collaborate with their academic advisors and local producers on projects that promote sustainable agriculture through research and education.

This program provides funding to various organizations and agencies for projects that manage invasive weeds and restore wildlife habitats across Montana's ecologically significant landscapes.

First Nations’ Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort (“cohort”) is a 12-month enrichment opportunity, designed to support the knowledge and networks of young natural resource professionals in the Northern Great Plains. Donor Name: First Nations Development Institute State: Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The goal of the cohort is to support and convene 15 early-career natural resource professionals who are employed by Tribes in the Northern Great Plains. Members of the cohort will develop professional, leadership, and technical skills, and learn how to employ tribal and community conservation priorities. By the end of the cohort, participants will 1.) gain a deeper understanding of traditional stewardship practices that improve and conserve tribal lands, 2.) receive specialized training to manage projects, and 3.) be able to communicate the importance of upholding tribal sovereignty, cultural grounding, and connection to ancestral lands in resource management. Members of the cohort have access to the following: A $5,000 stipend to hosting Tribe Travel support for professional development A $50,000 tribal grant to lead a conservation-focused project Participation in a supportive network comprised of other young professionals in your region. Mentorship in project planning, management, reporting, and much more! Project Period The start date of the cohort is October 1, 2024, and the end date is September 30, 2025. Eligiblity Criteria Eligible applicants must be early-career tribally-affiliated natural resource professionals that are employed by a tribal natural resource and/or environmental department in the Northern Great Plains (Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming). Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to: Applicants must be tribally-affiliated with a Native American community. Applicants must be employed by a tribal natural resource and/or environmental department in the Northern Great Plains. Applicants must be between the age of 18-30 years old. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. For more information, visit First Nations Development Institute.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that deliver high-quality early childhood education and family services to low-income children and families across multiple states in the U.S.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government units for projects that directly benefit the residents of Blaine County, Montana, addressing important community needs.

The Social Justice Fund NorthWest is pleased to announce the 2024 Base Building Grant, open to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. Donor Name: Social Justice Fund NorthWest State: Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Focus: Base Building as a community organizing tactic that grows the breadth and depth of people who share a vision for social justice and who develop and execute the organizing strategies to make that vision a reality in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. Priority  SJF will prioritize organizations in both the prescreening and final decision process that: Have leadership (at least 51%) from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, and/or Conduct most of their work/organizing in reservation communities, and/or rural, small town communities SJF is looking for organizations that fit their community organizing framework AND whose work demonstrates EACH of the following four areas: Collective Power Working with a diverse membership to build collective power Building a critical mass of collective power that can win changes in policy, culture, or institution-building, and defend those wins Widening the Base Building authentic relationships with those in the base who are most affected by the issues the organization works on Bringing new people into the base who are not already engaged in organizing work Using varied methods of recruitment by uplifting differences through tailored communication and outreach Engaging in face-to-face (physical or virtual) conversation and relationship building Leadership Development Provide clear entry points for members to move to leadership positions Clear and accessible programs for political education and meaningful engagement Continual education and agitation Strategy and Long-Term Planning Developing, using, and continually adapting a base building plan which includes goals, timelines, infrastructure, leadership, opportunities for engagement, etc. Organizing strategies with clear goals Structures that hold the leadership accountable to its base Funding Information $100,000 for 2 years ($50,000/yr). Eligibility Criteria Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria: Nonprofit organizations or tribal agencies, or groups sponsored by a nonprofit organization or tribal agencyThis grant can fund: Organizations with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status as determined by the IRS Federally recognized American Indian tribal government or agency Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organizations or by federally recognized tribal governments Unlike their other grants, this grant will not fund organizations which are neither incorporated nor fiscally sponsored Organizations that use community organizing as their primary strategy and do base building as described in the section above: collective power, widening the base, leadership development, and strategy and long-term planning. Organizations that are led by people who are most directly affected by the problems that the organization or project is addressing Organizations that carry out most of their work in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. For more information, visit SJF.

This grant provides $100,000 over two years to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming that focus on building community power and leadership among diverse groups, with a priority for those led by BIPOC and working in rural or reservation areas.

The U.S. Geological Surveys Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU Partner for research to assess distribution and threats to at-risk amphibians in the western USA. This research will focus specifically on how threats such as drought, non-native predators, habitat loss or transformation, environmental degradation, and pathogens are affecting the distribution and abundance of amphibians in the West. Field work will occur in the Northwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, and Great Plains, will occur primarily on BLM, NPS, USFWS, and USFS lands, and will focus on many species that are priorities to the Department of Interior and other partner agencies or stakeholders.

This program provides financial and technical support to Montana local governments for developing essential planning documents that help manage and protect renewable resources.

The Film + Video grant is a competitive grant program intended to support the development, production, and distribution of documentary films or series that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Donor Name: Humanities Montana State: Montana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Film + Video program supports the development, production, and distribution of documentary films or series that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Projects must be grounded in humanities scholarship and incorporate an approach that is thoughtful, balanced, and analytical; proposals must demonstrate the potential to attract a broad general audience. Humanities Montana’s Film + Video grants offer multiyear support or one-time-only funding for major projects in film and video. Film and television projects may be standalone documentaries or series of programs. Major projects are those requiring multiple stages of research and development, production, and post-production and which generally require a script and a year or more to complete. Projects may also include supplementary components such as discussion programs and public screenings. Humanities Montana-funded projects must: focus on clearly defined humanities theme(s) build on sound humanities scholarship deepen public understanding of significant humanities questions approach a subject analytically, presenting a variety of perspectives involve humanities scholars (academic, professional, or expert) in all aspects of the project employ appealing and accessible formats that will actively engage the general public in learning demonstrate support and involvement of communities and cultures represented in project content and activities or specifically address why they are not involved (e.g., projects that involve Native American communities or cultures must include letters of support from participating scholars, researchers, program participants from that specific community outlining their involvement.) Funding Categories  Stage One: Research and script development award (up to $8,000) enable media producers to collaborate with scholars to develop humanities content and other program elements. Awards must result in a script or detailed treatment, which is required to progress to Stage Two funding. Applicants must submit an example of previous work Prior to applying for Stage One, you should have: assessed the major humanities scholarship related to the subject identified humanities themes assembled a group of humanities scholars to serve as advisers, and other experts if applicable consulted with the humanities scholars to identity the project’s interpretive ideas formed a media team to see the project through its development period Stage Two: Production awards (up to $10,000), including principal photography, source material acquisition, and rights clearance, result in a rough cut of film /video or equivalent (required to progress to Stage Three funding). Applicants must submit a completed script or detailed narrative treatment Prior to applying for Stage Two, you should have: completed all required components of Stage One conducted extensive research on your subject, including archival work and preliminary interviews drafted the script or detailed treatment(s) Stage Three: Post-production awards (up to $10,000) support completion of product and public distribution. Applicants must submit a rough cut of the project Prior to applying for Stage Three, you should have: completed all required components of Stage One and Stage Two designed your plans for distribution, outreach, and partnerships. Period of Performance 12 months Eligible Activities Stage One awards may support activities such as: meetings with scholars preliminary interviews preparation of program treatments or scripts production of a work-in-progress or trailer creation of partnerships for outreach activities and public engagement archival and other scholarly research to further development of script and humanities themes Stage Two awards may support activities such as: archival research and rights clearances meetings with scholars additional script development production (including filming, recording, and editing) and distribution Stage Three awards may support activities such as: development of related resources that explore the humanities content and themes central to the project (e.g., websites and curriculum materials) post-production outreach and public engagement. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible to apply, your organization must be established in the United States or its jurisdictions as one of the following organization types: a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code an accredited institution of higher education (public or nonprofit) a state or local government or one of their agencies a federally recognized Native American Tribal government If your organization is eligible, you are encouraged to partner with independent producers and other skilled professionals to carry out programmatic activities. Under this arrangement, the applicant organization submits the application on behalf of the partnership(s). Applicant organizations must not function solely as fiscal agents or fiscal sponsors but must make substantive contributions to the success of the project. If Humanities Montana makes an award, the applicant organization is considered the recipient of record and assumes all programmatic, financial, and legal responsibilities associated with the award, including adherence to, and compliance with, federal regulations and the terms and conditions of the award. In addition, Film + Video Grants must: involve appropriate media professionals appeal to a broad audience demonstrate a plan for statewide, regional, or national audience involvement and of secondary non-broadcast distribution and long-term utilization include a 1:1 cost-share of in-kind or other funds include public programming such as discussions, lectures, screenings include outreach/publicity and evaluation plans where appropriate. For more information, visit  Humanities Montana.

The Humanities Montana’s Community Project Grants support public humanities programming that strengthens community and culture by promoting civic engagement, sparking thoughtful community dialogue, and reflecting on the human experience across the Big Sky State. Donor Name: Humanities Montana State: Montana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details:   These grants are designed to support a vast array of bold and innovative projects that are meaningful to local communities and inspire timely community conversations, from film screenings and panel discussions to cultural festivals and youth literacy programs Focus Areas Festivals Literary Programs Lectures & Discussions Podcasts & Radio Shows New Ideas Funding Information Maximum Award: $2,000-$10,000 All Humanities Montana-funded projects must: Focus on clearly defined humanities theme(s) Build on sound humanities scholarship Deepen public understanding of significant humanities questions Approach a subject analytically, presenting a variety of perspectives Involve humanities scholars (academic, professional, or subject-expert) in all aspects of the project; all projects require at least one confirmed subject-expert Employ appealing and accessible formats that will actively engage the general public in learning Demonstrate support and involvement of communities and cultures represented in project content and activities or specifically address why they are not involved (e.g., projects that involve Native American communities or cultures must include letters of support from participating scholars, researchers, and/or program participants from that specific community outlining their involvement) Community Project formats & methods content (this list is not exhaustive): Storytelling Historical Analysis Public Writing Workshops Literacy Programs Ethical Inquiry Interpretation at Historic Sites Book Festivals Exhibits Lectures Speaker Series Panel Discussions Teacher Institutes & Workshops Humanities Program Planning Reading & Discussion Programs Humanities Events (conferences, symposia, Chautauqua, workshops, humanities labs) Eligibility Criteria To be eligible to apply, your organization must be established in the United States or its jurisdictions as one of the following organization types: A nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code An accredited institution of higher education (public or nonprofit) A state or local government or one of their agencies A federally recognized Native American Tribal government A tribal organization Ineligibility Fiscal agents or fiscal sponsors may not apply on behalf of ineligible applicants. Only applicant organizations meeting some or all the requirements of substantive involvement listed below are eligible to apply. For more information, visit Humanities Montana.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner to support a study of grassland bird communities under a changing climate. Over the last half-century, populations of grassland birds declined by more than any other bird group in North America. This is because native grasslands have largely been converted to agricultural row crops, and the remaining prairies have become degraded through altered fire regimes, woody encroachment, the spread of invasive plants, and human development. Land managers and conservation organizations are racing to preserve and restore these ecosystems to stem further loss of grassland birds. Given limited resources, bird habitat models are needed to help managers prioritize where conservation efforts will be most effective. In addition to habitat loss and degradation of native grasslands, increasing greenhouse gas emissions will likely change temperatures and rainfall patterns across the Great Plains. This changing climate is expected to alter vegetation communities and the bird species that depend on them. To date, predictions of bird response to a changing climate have focused on changes in temperature and precipitation, but vegetation productivity also depends on factors such as vegetation type and soils. By studying how vegetation influences grassland birds across the western Great Plains, are creating maps of projected bird distribution, given vegetation and land-use change under multiple future climate scenarios. Predictive bird distribution maps will help land managers and other decision-makers understand how the site-level projects fit within regional and climatic contexts. A web-based application and raining modules accompanying these maps will increase capacity among Federal, State, Tribal, and private partners in their conservation planning under a changing climate.

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 US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in the following research area: improving methods to model, map, and analyze predictions of habitat suitability and suitability for abundance of both well-established and emergent invasive plant species under current and future scenarios. The research will be used to develop modeling software, improve model transferability, analyze spatial patterns of model uncertainty, and optimize the development and delivery of model results to practitioners charged with the management of invasive species.

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Grubhub Community Fund have come together once again to provide vital assistance for LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, bars serving food, and other eating establishments. Donor Name: National LGBT Chamber of Commerce State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/25/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, provides a financial lifeline to these businesses with grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the Community Impact Grant, applicants must: Be an LGBTQ+-owned or LGBTQ+ ally-owned restaurant, bar or café that serves food. Provide proof that you are an LGBTQ+-owned or allied establishment. Establishment has not received 2+ NGLCC Community Impact Grants in previous years. For more information, visit NGLCC.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation program proposals to advance bird species and habitat conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The purpose of this program is to help address the loss of 3 billion birds since 1970 by supporting projects that conserve, restore, or enhance grassland, wetland, sage-steppe, and coastal habitats for birds, or gather lacking bird population data with innovative methods, with an emphasis in focal geographies. Priorities Bird populations typically require a series of different seasonal or local habitats for their breeding, stopover, and wintering periods. Degradation, fragmentation, and loss of habitat can negatively impact bird populations, highlighting the need to implement science-driven and strategic conservation. With geographic focal areas that span major migratory routes in Alaska and along the north–south axis of the central United States, including the Gulf Coast, the program focuses on improving habitat quality and quantity for both migratory and non-migratory bird populations. Funding Information Grant awards will typically range from $100,000 to $275,000. Funded projects should be completed within two years following finalization of a grant agreement.  Geographic Focus Projects must occur in a major migratory route ranging from the northern slope of Alaska to the north-south axis of the central United States, including the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Funding is limited to the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Eligiblity Criteria Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

Social Justice Fund is pleased to announce the 2024 Native Led Organizing Grant, open to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. Donor Name: Social Justice Fund State: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Native Led organizing across the post-colonial borders of the northwestern region, namely Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, & Montana.  Funding Information Awards of $10,000-$30,000. Priority Consideration Indigenous, Native, American Indian, First Nation community led organizations (51% or more). Organizations conducting most of their work with reservation communities, and/or in rural/small towns. SJF will prioritize funding organizations with Indigenous, Native, and American Indian community led organizations, and/or who conduct most of their work in reservation communities, and/or rural, small town communities.  Some examples of organizing work that is eligible for this grant include:   language rejuvenation programs  culture as healing programs  environmental justice  civic engagement including voter education  food sovereignty  MMIW & MMIP  wellness projects  youth-led initiatives  art as activism installations This grant can fund  Organizations with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status as determined by the IRS  Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organizations or by tribal governments Organizations can apply without a fiscal sponsor but must confirm a fiscal sponsor if awarded a grant; Organizations or groups that carry out their work in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming  Eligibility Criteria Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria: Organizations that work within SJF’s community organizing framework Nonprofit organizations, tribal agencies, or groups sponsored by a nonprofit organization or tribal agency They support indigenous frontline communities, Nations, organizers, actions, and movements. For more information, visit SJF.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to advance pollinator conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The goal of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators.  The most competitive projects will demonstrate clear benefits to both monarch butterfly and additional at-risk native insect pollinator species (i.e., federally listed, candidate, or proposed native insect pollinator species). Special consideration will be given to projects benefiting rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. Categories Grants will be awarded in two categories:  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands Funding in this category will support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners voluntarily engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on private working lands. Up to $2 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to three years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. This category aims to support conservation planning and practice design with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks or initiatives, and especially increase Working Lands for Wildlife participation among farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. The 2024 Pollinator Fund RFP will support projects that: Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices. Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Hiring additional staff or contractors, based on demonstrated need, including staff to assist private landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and implementation of new and existing NRCS financial assistance contracts. Targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan, and deliver financial assistance available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk pollinator species. Habitat Improvement Funding in this category will support on-the-ground work to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. Up to $3.1 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to two years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. Applicants in this category should define a step-by-step restoration plan including site preparation, equipment used, planting techniques, size of the project area, description of target native plant community, and maintenance plan (e.g., prescribed burning, mowing, grazing schedules). Projects proposed to benefit other at-risk native insect pollinators should specify habitat needs for those species and how the proposed work will support their breeding, nectaring, nesting, or other habitat needs. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Restore and enhance pollinator habitat, with an emphasis on regionally appropriate milkweed and a diversity of native nectar plants. Increase native seed and seedling supply, with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and affordability of regionally appropriate, local ecotypes. Program Priorities  All proposals must specifically address how the proposed project will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of the Pollinator Fund’s goals as outlined in NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. As such, all proposals must provide the number of acres restored or enhanced as a result of the project. Proposals must include plans to restore or enhance a minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states. Acres may be counted from multiple sites; the sites do not need to be contiguous. Since 2015, successful proposals have included a median of 960 acres and an average of 2,120 acres restored or enhanced.  Funding Information The Pollinator Fund will award up to $5.1 million in grants in 2024: up to $2 million for Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands and up to $3.1 million for Habitat Improvement. Funding is provided by Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Geographical Areas  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands  Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. Projects are restricted to private working lands. Habitat Improvement Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. West of the Rocky Mountains, priority will be given to projects on or adjacent to the following: monarch butterfly overwintering sites, BLM lands, and USFS lands. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

This program provides financial support to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, and bars to help them thrive and recover.