Watershed Management Grant

The Watershed Management Grant (WMG) Program goals are to provide financial support for the development and implementation of locally led watershed related planning and capacity building activities that conserve, develop, manage, or preserve state renewable resources.

Eligible applicants include any division of state government, tribal government, or other county, city, or local political subdivision. A government entity may sponsor a non-government entity for a Watershed Management Grant. The governmental entities have included:

• cities,
• towns,
• counties,
• water and/or sewer districts,
• conservation districts,
• irrigation districts,
• school districts and universities,
• regional water authority,
• state agencies, and
•  tribal governments

Watershed Management Grants to a local government entity do not require financial match. However, DNRC is required to evaluate project applications’ financial and technical feasibility which considers reasonable project costs and committed matching funds. A 50% cost share is required for non-government entities.

FUNDING LIMIT and PROJECT TYPES
Watershed Group Formation up to $40,000

Grant funding to establish a watershed group. A watershed group is a self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based group that is composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, federal, state, or local agencies, and tribes. Grant funds awarded in this category may fund development of bylaws, a mission statement, complete stakeholder outreach, and develop a strategic plan.

Watershed Organization Strategic Plans up to $25,000

Strategic plans focus on the mission and goals of an organization that helps groups define the organization’s priorities. Strategic planning is a process culminating in a 3-5 year planning document that addresses an organization’s current state, identifies future goals, and can then be used to develop annual work plans. The Conservation District Bureau at DNRC has tools to assist CDs https://dnrc.mt.gov/Conservation/Conservation-Programs/Conservation-Districts/cd-resource-documents . The Montana Nonprofit Association provides resources for nonprofit organizations online: https://www.mtnonprofit.org/.

Watershed Strategic Program or Initiative up to $50,000

Strategic programs or initiatives are identified in an organization’s Strategic Plan. These programs or initiatives will need to be clearly tied to the organization’s mission and align with the purpose of the Watershed Management Grants. Examples may include watershed group expansion, staff support of a Watershed Restoration Plan, staff time for project management or contracted services to prepare a Watershed Restoration Project Plan, staff time for project management to oversee a non-point construction project, staff time to coordinate volunteers, purchase of materials for education and outreach.

Hosting a Big Sky Watershed Corps member $8,000

Grants will support a portion of the local host site cost share to support a Big Sky Watershed Corps member. This will be a one-time grant application and award and will require submission of a final report at the end of the BSWC term. MCC Fellows and interns are not eligible under this category, as they would eligible under the other categories for staff time in Watershed Management Grants, and costs for their salaries are ongoing throughout the life of the project or grant.