Watershed Resource Library CONSERVATION & CAPACITY RESOURCES
The MWCC Watershed Resource Library is a curated source of information on topics related to watershed health and organizational capacity. It includes technical resources (under the Watershed Conservation Resources tab) and resources for organizational resilience (under the Capacity & Organizational Resources tab). The filter, sort, and search functions can be used to narrow down the list of resources based on categories and keywords.
In addition to specific resources included in the library, the following websites (Additional Nonprofit Resources) host additional information relevant to local watershed conservation work and nonprofits.
| Category | Resource | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Information | MT Natural Heritage Program | Comprehensive resources and information about Montana's ecology | Montana Natural Heritabe Program |
| Biological Information, Mapping & GIS | MT Natural Heritage Program Map Viewer | Interactive map viewer with land management and natural resource map layers | Montana Natural Heritabe Program |
| Climate Impacts & Forecasting | Montana Drought Indicators Dashboard | A compilation of real-time drought indices including: Snowpack, Precip, Temp, Soil Moisture, and Drought Metrics | University of Montana |
| Climate Impacts & Forecasting | National Drought Mitigation Center | Education, monitoring, and planning resources related to drought | University of Nebraska |
| Climate Impacts & Forecasting | Montana Climate Asessment | A guide to inform climate related planning efforts and actions for Montana's forests, waters, and agricultural producers | State of Montana |
| Community Resiliency | Headwater Economics Research on Equality in Rural Communities | Economic and equality research providing data and tools to help communities direct resources to the people and places that can benefit the most | Headwaters Economics |
| Conservation Easements | Conservation Easements: 20 Things Everyone Should Know | A guide providing a general overview of conservation easements in Montana | Montana DEQ |
| Drought | CSU Drought Planning Training Series | A virtual training series on drought planning | Colorado State Unversity |
| Drought | Resilience Strategies for Drought | This fact sheet overviews strategies for helping communities become more resilient to drought, including a list of tools to help communities evaluate the costs and benefits of resilience strategies. | Center for Climate and Energy Solutions |
| Drought | Drought Resilience and Water Conservation | EPA technical brief on drought and water conservation strategies | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Forestry & Wildfire, Community Resiliency | Fire Adapted Community Resources | Resources for communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire. | Fire Adapted Montana |
| Forestry & Wildfire, Community Resiliency | Wildfire Adapted Missoula StoryMap | Interactive StoryMap describing collaborative wildfire planning and implementation efforts around the Missoula community | USFS |
| Forestry & Wildfire | Conifer Removal Resources and Management Tools | Guides and management tools for conifer removal in sagebrush habitat | Partners in the Sage |
| Forestry & Wildfire | Montana's Forestry Assistance Programs | Resources on management practices, funding, education, and collaboration assistance | Montana DNRC |
| Forestry & Wildfire | Montana Forest Action Plan | The Montana Forest Action Plan serves as the all hands, all lands plan for addressing forest health and wildfire risk issues across all forested lands in the state of Montana. | Montana DNRC |
| Forestry & Wildfire, Community Resiliency | The Economic Costs of Natural Hazards | Studies by Headwaters Economics looking at the impacts of wildfires, floods, and climate change on communities | Headwaters Economics |
| Forestry & Wildfire, Water | Protecting Drinking Water at the Source | A guide to working with the US Forest Service on source water protection | US Forest Service |
| Forestry & Wildfire, Water | Source Water Protection through Forestry Partnerships | Resources and trainings for people and organizations working to protect sources of drinking water | Sourcewater Collaborative |
| Invasive Species | MT Fish Wildlife and Parks AIS Resources | General information about aquatic invasive species management and prevention in Montana | Montana FWP |
| Invasive Species | Montana Invasive Species Council | Educational information, resources, and funding to manage and control invasive species in Montana | Montana Invasive Species Council |
| Invasive Species | Montana Weed Control Association | Information and resources for managing noxious weeds | Montana Weed Control Association |
| Mapping & GIS | MT State Library GIS | A clearinghouse of GIS data for the state of Montana | MT State Library |
| Mapping & GIS | Montana Cadastral | Interactive map viewer of land management and land ownership in Montana | State of Montana |
| Mapping & GIS | Geospatial Data Gateway | GIS data clearinghouse for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service | Natural Resources Conservatoin Service |
| Mapping & GIS | EarthExplorer | Imagery data clearinghouse for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Old and new aerial images. | US Geological Survey |
| Mapping & GIS | TopoView | Clearinghouse for historical topographic maps. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). | US Geological Survey |
| Mapping & GIS | Geospatial Data Discovery | Clearinghouse for nationwide U.S. Forest Service GIS data. | US Forest Service |
| Mapping & GIS | FSGeodata Clearinghouse | Clearinghouse for U.S. Forest Service Region 1 GIS data. | US Forest Service |
| Mapping & GIS | GRASS GIS | Free, open source GIS software provided by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). | Open Source Geospatial Foundation |
| Mapping & GIS | QGIS | Free, open source GIS software. | QGIS |
| Monitoring, Water | Volunteer Monitoring Planning Catalogue | Key considerations for each step of planning a successful monitoring project and highlights key resources available to help you. | Montana DEQ |
| Monitoring, Water | Montana's Water Monitoring Program Directory | An inventory of water monitoring programs active in Montana. Search for programs based on type of monitoring, program goals, organization type, etc. | MWCC |
| Monitoring, Water | Water Monitoring Resource Library | An inventory of resources related to water monitoring. Search for resources based on topic areas, type of resource, etc. | MWCC |
| Recreation & Tourism | Headwaters Economics Research on Recreation an Communities | Research analyzing the scope and scale of the outdoor recreation economy and how communities can benefit from trails. | Headwaters Economics |
| Recreation & Tourism | Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research | An interactive database for travel and recreation research in Montana, with a primary focus on the nonresident travel survey conducted throughout the state. | University of Montana |
| Recreation & Tourism | One Montana's "Outside Kind" | One Montana's "Outside Kind" program helps encourage responsible recreation in communities through local partnerships | One Montana |
| Soil Health | Montana Soil Health Strategic Action Plan | The Montana Soil Health Strategic Action Plan provides NRCS a path toward elevated delivery of the soil health principles resulting in healthy, functioning soil as the foundation for all working lands in Montana. | Natural Resources Conservatoin Service |
| Soil Health | Soil for Water | Resources and information to support farmers, ranchers, and land managers across the United States who are taking steps to catch and hold more water in the soil. | National Center for Appropriate Technology |
| Streams & Wetlands, Mapping & GIS | Channel Migration Information | Maps and resources to inform managers on stream channel migration processes | State of Montana |
| Streams & Wetlands | Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes Design Manual | A comprehensive design manual to guide low-tech process based restoration of riverscapes | Utah State University |
| Streams & Wetlands | Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes (Pocket Field Guide) | A condensed field guide for low-tech process-based restoration of riverscapes | Utah State University |
| Streams & Wetlands | Introductory Process-Based Restoration Modules | A series of educational modules introducing low-tech process-based restoration methods | Utah State University |
| Streams & Wetlands | www.mtwatersheds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Guide-to-LTPBR-Riverscapes-Virtual-Workshop-Modules.pdf | One-page guide to navigate the virtual workshop modules for Utah State University's low-tech process-based restoration resources | MWCC |
| Streams & Wetlands | Musselshell Watershed's Two Dot StoryMap - A Guide to Soft Streambank Stabilization | ArcGIS StoryMap detailing the processes for implementing soft engineering projects on streambanks using willow and soil lifts | MWCC |
| Streams & Wetlands | Montana Freshwater Partners’ In-Lieu Fee Program | Information about compensatory mitigation for impacts to Montana wetlands and streams. | Montana Freshwater Partners |
| Streams & Wetlands | A Strategic Framework for Wetland and Riparian Area Conservation and Restoration in Montana | A statewide wetland and riparian management framework (2013-2017) | State of Montana |
| Streams & Wetlands | Montana Wetlands Information | Data and resources about Montana's wetlands | Montana Natural Heritabe Program |
| Water | Montana DEQ's Drinking Water Resources | A suite of resources offered by the Montana DEQ on drinking water quality and source water protection | Montana DEQ |
| Water | Montana DEQ Water Quality Resources | Information about water quality standards and regulations in Montana, including data, reports, other resources | Montana DEQ |
| Water | MSU Extension's Well Educated Program | Educational resources for groundwater quality and well/septice maintenance | MSU Extension |
| Watershed Planning | Montana Stream Permitting Guide | A guide on Montana's stream permitting laws and requirements | Montana DNRC |
| Watershed Planning | Watershed Restoration Planning Guide for Montana | An introductory guide for developing watershed restoration plans in Montana | Montana DEQ |
| Watershed Planning | Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters | EPA handbook with guidance for developing watershed restoration plans | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Watershed Planning | Introduction to Watershed Planning Modules | A series of modules providing a framework for watershed restoration planning - develoed by the EPA | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Watershed Planning | Montana State Water Plan | A comprehensive look at Montana's water resource challenges and management opportunities | Montana DNRC |
| Watershed Planning, Drought | Montana Drought Management Plan | Resources on drought management and planning; drought monitoring; and drought idicators | Montana DNRC |
| Watershed Planning, Drought | Montana Drought Planning Resources | A compilation of drought planning and drought monitoring resources for Montana | National Drought Mitigation Center |
| Wildlife Conflict Reduction | People and Carnivores Tools, Research, and Manuals on Living with Wildlife | Resources on coexistence with wildlife, such as wolves, bears, and other large carnivores | People and Carnivores |
| Wildlife Conflict Reduction | Montana Beaver Conflict Resolution Project | Information about successful beaver conflict resolution in Western Montana | National Wildlife Federation |
| Wildlife Conflict Reduction | Living with Beaver | A fact sheet about management solutions for nuissance beaver activity | MT FWP |
| Water | Water Rights in Montana | A handbook to understanding water rights in Montana | Montana DNRC |
| Water | Montana Water Rights Information | Information about water rights in Montana and searchable water rights database | Montana DNRC |
| Community Resiliency | Colorado Disaster Recovery Lessons Learned: A Guide to Plan, React, Adapt, Evolve, and Achieve the Best Possible Outcomes for our Communities and Stream Corridors | Lessons learned from managing the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program after federally-declared flood and wildfire disasters | Colorado Water Conservation Board |
| Community Resiliency | Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions: A Guide for Local Communities | Nature-based solutions to sustainable planning, design, and environmental management | Federal Emergancy Management Agency |
| Community Resiliency | Montana Disaster & Emergenc Services | Resources related to disaster recovery in Montana | Montana Disaster & Emergency Services |
| Community Resiliency | Montana DNRC Disaster and Recovery | Resources and funding guidance for disaster recovery in Montana | Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation |
| Community Resiliency | Community Recovery Management Toolkit | The toolkit guides you through a three-step process of organizing, planning and managing recovery, while also giving you resources from other recovery support functions | Federal Emergancy Management Agency |
| Category | Resource | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | Good Collaboration | 2:30-minute animated video outlining the ingredients of successful collaborative efforts | Waterloo Crime Prevention Council |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | 10 Tips for a Wise Hiker: Collaboration that Works | Collaborating with other organizations is like going on a long hike together. Consider these tips before any collaborative venture – whether it’s a joint program, a coalition, or merger. And review them periodically while you’re on the trail. 1 page. | North Carolina Center for Nonprofits |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | Designing an Effective Collaborative Process | Includes guidelines for developing collaborative ground rules and a work plan, as well as examples of each and a checklist. 27 pages. | Public Policy Research Institute and Consensus Building Institute |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | Field Guide to Developing Partnerships | This document provides guidance on how to find common goals, effectively reach out to potential partners, and develop lasting relationships that benefit all players. 6 pages. | North American Bird Conservation Initiative |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | MWCC Watershed Directory | The MWCC Watershed Directory contains contact information for community-based conservation organizations who work throughout Montana. This includes watershed groups, conservation districts, local collaboratives, and tribal governments. | Montana Watershed Coordination Council |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | Montana Conservation District Directory | Contact information for all Montana Conservation Districts, updated for 2022 | Montana Association of Conservation Districts |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | Running an Effective Collaborative Meeting | Key steps and helpful tips for before, during, and after meetings. 2 pages | National Forest Foundation |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | Center for Natural Resources & Environmental Policy Facilitation Services | CNREP offers assistance with collaborative problem-solving, facilitation, mediation, stakeholder analysis, public process design, and more. CNREP also offers training in collaborative leadership and conflict resolution and assists groups with strategic planning. | University of Montana Center for Natural Resources & Environmental Policy |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | Center for Collaborative Conservation at Colorado State University | Resources to help build skills and knowledge on topics related to collaborative conservation, including building and sustaining partnerships, evaluating the impact of collaborations, equity and inclusion, and facilitation. | Center for Collaborative Conservation at Colorado State University |
| Collaborative Partnerships & Facilitation | Running an Effective Collaborative Meeting | Key steps and helpful tips for before, during, and after meetings. 2 pages | National Forest Foundation |
| Communications | Communications Planning 101: What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know | There are a lot of ways to build a communications plan. In this article, we’re going to go through the essential parts of a communications plan to help you build your most effective plan yet. | Funraise |
| Communications | A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Nonprofit Communications Stragegy | A strategy template centred around digital communications, based on many true and tested marketing best practices that will hopefully help spark a conversation in your organization. The guide details a strategy based on 5 main pillars: 1) Objectives, 2) Target audience, 3) Messaging, 4) Content, 5) Channels | The Startup |
| Communications | How to Create a Crisis Communications Plan for Your Nonprofit | A crisis communications plan is a series of steps that your nonprofit can follow in case of an emergency or other unexpected event. This blog details the most important steps you need to follow when creating a crisis communications plan for your nonprofit. | WildApricot |
| Communications | The Language of Conservation: Updated Recommendations on How to Communicate Effectively to Build Support for Conservation | Language and messaging recommendations in a list of easy-to-follow, broad “rules” for communicating conservation issues. 10 pages | The Nature Conservancy |
| Communications | Lights, Camera, Take Action! Digital Storytelling Mini-Conference for Nonprofits | A video replay and breakdown of each session in this three-day conference, which includes industry leaders illustrating and explaining topics including using livestreaming, community-based micro storytelling, design for nondesigners, storytelling for crowdfunding campaigns, and more. 20-90 minutes each. | TechSoup |
| Communications | Storytelling for Nonprofits: How to Present Stories That Attract Donors, Win Support, and Raise Money | Everything you need to inspire, engage, and motivate people to support your mission. 25 pages | Network for Good |
| Communications | 101 Digital Marketing & Fundraising Best Practices for Nonprofits | A series of blogs and webinars on website design, email marketing, online fundraising, and social media best practices for nonprofits. Includes succinct articles, archived webinars, and free live webinars on specific topics. | Nonprofit Tech for Good |
| Communications | 22 Free Marketing Tools for Nonprofits | Brief overviews of dozens of free tools for email campaigns, online advertising, data visualization, social media management, website analytics, stock photos, graphic design, volunteer management, and more. | Wired Impact |
| Contract Management | Working With Consultants | Whether it’s a consultant to facilitate organizational planning, develop a capital fundraising campaign, or help the board and staff navigate an organizational merger, professionals can often provide the expertise we all need from time-to-time to better manage our nonprofits. Here are three helpful guides intended to provide you with basic tips for hiring, interviewing, and working with consultants to ensure that your experience is productive and worthwhile. Includes sample Requests for Qualifications and contracts. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Contract Management | Contract Management and Tracking Procedure Example | Example of a detailed contract management and tracking process, for several different types of contracts. Includes general tips, step-by-step procedures, board roles, ideas for building and maintaining your contracting skills, and a contract documentation checklist. ***Contract language - especially anything that changes as state and federal laws change - should be reviewed regularly - at least every couple years. This template may already be out of date by the time you access it. | Blackfoot Challenge |
| Contract Management | Project Contract Template | ***Contract language - especially anything that changes as state and federal laws change - should be reviewed regularly - at least every couple years. This template may already be out of date by the time you access it. | Blackfoot Challenge |
| Contract Management | Contract Procedure Example | Example of a step-by-step process for hiring contractors, including a fillable contract info sheet and additional documentation needed. Includes a section on volunteer contracts and service agreements. ***Contract language - especially anything that changes as state and federal laws change - should be reviewed regularly - at least every couple years. This template may already be out of date by the time you access it. | Blackfoot Challenge |
| Contract Management | Procurement Policy Example | Example of an organizational procurement policy. ***Policies - especially anything that changes as state and federal laws change - should be reviewed regularly - at least every couple years. This template may already be out of date by the time you access it. | Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group |
| Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Conservation | White Supremacy Culture - Characteristics and Antidotes | A list of the ways white-centered thinking shows up in and often dominates organizations, along with specific recommendations for transforming these traits into more welcoming practices for all. 9 pages | Tema Okun, updated from an article published in 1999 |
| Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Conservation | DEI Toolkits | TREC's in-depth, 7-part toolkit provides frameworks and guidance to thoughtfully address historic inequities while building better practices and increasing your organization's ability to work for a just and healthy world that everyone can enjoy. Each toolkit includes webinars, guides, templates, and activities. | Training Resources for the Environmental Community (TREC) |
| Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Conservation | Centering Justice, Equity and Inclusion - MWCC Conservation Conversation with Heart of the Rockies Initiative | Heart of the Rockies Initiative, a partnership of land trusts across the Central Rocky Mountains, is transforming the way they approach their external work and partnerships by focusing on Justice, Equity, and Inclusion principles within their own organization. Kali Hannon, Heart of the Rockies Managing Director; Bray Beltrán, Heart of the Rockies Conservation & Equity Director; and Emma Gjullin, Development and Communications Coordinator, shared their experiences through this process during an MWCC Lunchtime Conservation Conversation in May 2022. 1-hour video. | Montana Watershed Coordination Council and Heart of the Rockies Initiative |
| Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Conservation | Radical Candor | Provides a framework to help organizations embrace honest feedback and uncomfortable conversations as a way of caring for one another, rather than falling into the trap of “niceness” without challenging one another. Includes a blog, podcast, books you can order, and consulting services. | Radical Candor |
| Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Conservation | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Conservation | A large library of DEIJ resources that can be filtered by category and type. Specifically geared for the environmental and conservation communities. | Avarna Group |
| Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Conservation | Conservation for Whom? Webinar | An overview of the U.S. environmental and conservation history, through the lens of equity and inclusion. Includes questions for reflection for conservation organizations and individuals near the end. 1-hour webinar. | Avarna Group |
| Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Conservation | MWCC Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Conversations | An informal monthly gathering of local watershed conservation leaders to discuss selected resources related to how to make our work more equitable, inclusive, and just. Rotating facilitators and resources. | MWCC |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Quickbooks Made Easy for Nonprofits | Since 2000, QuickBooks® Made Easy™ has been teaching QuickBooks® seminars around the country for various groups, conducting webinars, providing technical support to hundreds of clients, and providing one-one-one consulting. MNA members receive a discount on this training. (see QB for Nonprofits training) | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Accounting Procedures Manual Template | Has “Create an Accounting Procedures Manual” been on your To Do list for several months now? For several years? You aren’t alone. So here’s a template. Download the Word document, and everything you need to fill is in in red. So you can probably do a draft of the whole thing in 30 minutes. | Blue Avocado |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Nonprofit Bookkeeping Test | This 21-question quiz draws from general bookkeeping knowledge and nonprofit bookkeeping and compliance matters. Use it as part of your hiring toolkit for bookkeepers and accountants, as well as for identifying staff training needs. A chart at the end shows what training is called for based on which questions were answered correctly or incorrectly. | Blue Avocado |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | A Five-Step Guide to Budget Development - Webinar | 30-minute webinar outlining the basics of developing a budget, broken down into segments. Inclides a downloadable PDF of the webinar slides, and a downloadable nonprofit budget template (along with another 30-minute webinar on how to fill it out) a downloadable program expense budget, tools for planning for different revenue scenarios, and more. Additional tools at the bottom of the page. | Fiscal Management Associates |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Take the Fear Out of Financial Statements | Explanations of key financial statement concepts and illustrated examples of a balance sheet and an income statement. | BoardSource Blog |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Balance Sheet Cheat Sheet | Basic explanation of a balance sheet, including six key financial indicators and additional considerations based on the varied needs of different nonprofits | Propel Nonprofits |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Own Your Own Costs | Overview of the importance of understanding the true costs of your operations, programs, and services. Includes resources such as definitions, templates, and resources for working with funders and board members to help them better understand true costs. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | True Program Costs: Program Budget and Allocation Template and Resource | A comprehensive overview of true program costs, including a downloadable spreadsheet for determining your organization's true program costs, a step-by-step process for gathering the information you need to fill it out, and additional resources. | Propel Nonprofits |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Montana Nonprofit Financial Leadership Training | Each spring and fall, MNA offers this six-week course to sharpen your ability to lead the financial management of your organization. This training covers most of the sub-topics in this part of the Watershed Resource Library. From budgeting to cash management, cost/benefit analysis, and more, you will learn best-practice fundamentals to lead your organization with confidence. More benefits and details at the link. MNA members receive a discount on this training. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Financial Management Resources for Nonprofits | Website with a wide range of financial policy examples, financial literacy resources, and more. Includes policies on conflict of interest, gift acceptance, employee and volunteer reimbursment, executive compensation review, accounting procedures, audits, and more. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Glossary of Financial Terms | Extensive, alphabetized financial glossary | Nonprofit Finance Fund |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Nonprofit Financial Assessment Tool | A self-assessment tool that provides a starting point for what to focus on first when building up your board’s financial literacy. | The Nonprofit Association of Oregon |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Financial Management Resources for Nonprofits | Website with a wide range of financial policy examples, financial literacy resources, and more. Includes policies on conflict of interest, gift acceptance, employee and volunteer reimbursment, executive compensation review, accounting procedures, audits, and more. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Sample Financial Policy 1 | Sample financial policy that may be used as a template | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Sample Financial Policy 2 | Sample financial policy that may be used as a template | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Sample Records Retention Policy | Sample records retention policy that may be used as a template. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Common Form 990 Mistakes | A list of some of the most common reporting errors seen on tax-exempt organization's tax returns. 1 page. | Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Financial Transparency | Explanation of what nonprofits must disclose publicly, additional ways ot demonstrate financial transparency, and additional resources. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | 10 Questions Potential Projects Should Ask a Fiscal Sponsor | The resource name says it all! | National Network of Fiscal Sponsors |
| Financial Management & Bookkeeping | Fiscal Sponsorship - Doing it Right! | Basics of fiscal sponsorship, including the differences between fiscal agency and fiscal sponsorship, and different fiscal sponsorship models. | Council on Foundations |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | Introduction to Fundraising Planning - Webinar | This 55-minute webinar walks through 6 steps to developing a fundraising plan. It includes tips on diversifying your organization's fundraising base and creating a plan of action. Pro tip: Jump in at 2:50 to skip the Candid promo and get to the presentation itself. | Candid |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | A Super-Simple Fundraising Plan | Downloadable, 10-page template for identifying your existing resources, creating goals for fundraising activities, identifying focus areas, and more. | Network for Good |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | How to Systemize Your Fundraising | Includes four components of a good fundraising system and an example. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | Storytelling for Nonprofits: How to Present Stories That Attract Donors, Win Support, and Raise Money | Everything you need to inspire, engage, and motivate people to support your mission. 25 pages | Network for Good |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | 101 Digital Marketing & Fundraising Best Practices for Nonprofits | A series of blogs and webinars on website design, email marketing, online fundraising, and social media best practices for nonprofits. Includes succinct articles, archived webinars, and free live webinars on specific topics. | Nonprofit Tech for Good |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | Diversify Your Nonprofit's Funding Sources | Fundraising ideas and links to fundraising tools, recorded webinars, and TechSoup's Fundraising for Nonprofits series. | TechSoup |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | How Partnerships Help Nonprofits Stand Out in the Race for Funding | This article provides steps and a three-page worksheet to help you form effective fundraising partnerships, focusing on on corporate and business partnerships. | Blue Avocado |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | MWCC Funding Opportunities Page | List of current grants available for conservation work in Montana, updated at least bi-weekly | Montana Watershed Coordination Council |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | Montana Foundation Directory | The Montana Foundation Directory contains information from 40 of the most active foundations funding in Montana. These include community foundations, corporate giving programs and foundations, and private foundations. In addition, the Directory highlights tips and best practices in the grant seeking, writing, and management arena. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | Montana DNRC Resources & Training Page | Scroll down to see:- 2020 Grant Writing Workshop Resources- Successful Grant Writing 101 Webinar - Writing for Success Webinar- Developing a Scope of Work Webinar - Developing a Budget Webinar- Introduction to Submittable for Grantees | Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | Match and Leveraged Funding for Grants - MWCC Conservation Conversation with Christine Brissette of Trout Unlimited. Recording and Slides. | Presentation and discussion on creative ways to come up with match funding for your grants, including cash, in-kind, federal, and nonfederal. 1-hour recording and slides. | Montana Watershed Coordination Council and Christine Brissette of Trout Unlimited |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | Value of a Volunteer Hour | Average value of a volunteer hour by state. | Independent Sector |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | MWCC Federal Infrastructure Funding Page | Links to conservation-related funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law | Montana Watershed Coordination Council |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | How to Use Grants.gov for Federal Grants. Recording and Slides. | This 36-minute webinar and accompanying slides helps familiarize viewers with the Grants.gov website and provides an overview of how to submit a federal grant application. | U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | SAM.gov Entity Registration Training for Federal Grants | Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is required for all entities applying for federal funding. This 14-minute webinar provides step-by-step guidance on registering your entity in SAM. | U.S. Small Business Association |
| Fundraising & Grant Management | WorkLife Podcast | An organizational psychologist explores the science of making work not suck. Topics cover a wide range of workplace issues, including leadership, flexibility, perfectionism, conflict, mental health, building an inclusive workplace, work relationships, and more. | TED Talks and Adam Grant |
| Human Resources | Montana Nonprofit Compensation Report | Wage and benefit information specific to Montana's nonprofit sector. 134 Montana organizations participated in this year's survey. The result is a report which includes hundreds of nonprofit positions in the state, to help you: support recruitment and retention and understand how your organization's pay levels compare with others. MNA members may request a 50% discount code by emailing mna@mtnonprofit.org, which will allow you to purchase your copy for $75 rather than the full price of $150. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Human Resources | How to Prevent Burnout When You Work for a Nonprofit or Charity | Focuses on how to cultivate a staff culture in which burnout is the exception rather than the “rule.” | CauseVox |
| Human Resources | 10 TED Talks for When You Feel Totally Burned Out | The resource name says it all! | TED Talks |
| Human Resources | Job Burnout: How to Spot It and Take Action | Job burnout symptoms, questions to ask yourself, potential causes of burnout, risk factors, consequences, and how to address burnout when it happens. | Mayo Clinic |
| Human Resources | Hiring Independent Contractors | How to ensure someone is an independent contractor and not actually an employee, and ways to document in independent contractor relationship. Also includes three main factors for determining if someone is an employee or an independent contractor. 2 pages | Charity Lawyer, with direct links to information from the Internal Revenue Service |
| Human Resources | Calculating Expenses for Employee vs. Contractor | A spreadsheet for calculating the full costs of hiring an employee, including salary, taxes, holidays, and benefits. Can adjust various rates within the spreadsheet to calculate your actual costs. Numbers are a little out of date. For questions about the spreadsheet, contact Ann Schwend: aschwend@mt.gov | Ann Schwend, Montana DNRC Water Resources |
| Human Resources | Can I Award Comp Time? Tip Sheet | A succinct explanation of why compensatory time is essentially not allowed in the nonprofit sector. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Human Resources | Employee Handbooks | Links to guides and a downloadable template to help you develop employee policies and procedures manuals. | Maine Association of Nonprofits |
| Human Resources | Advancing Your Cause Through the People You Manage: A Guidebook for Busy Leaders | A 28-page guidebook for "accidental leaders." Includes "Understanding and Overcoming the Most Common Pitfalls," a Management Self-Assessment Tool, "Root Causes: Why Employees Don't Get the Job Done," tips for successful staff meetings, and more. | Management Assistance Group |
| Human Resources | Managing Nonprofit Employees | Website focusing on some of the most common questions (and misperceptions) about employment at a charitable nonprofit. Includes helpful tips plus information about employment tax issues, independent contractors, links to additional resources, and an FAQ section at the bottom of the page. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Human Resources | Nonprofit Job Description Toolkit | Features a wide range of sample job descriptions for different nonprofit jobs, including executive director, communications staff, development staff, program staff, and more. | The Bridgespan Group |
| Human Resources | 7 Practical Ways to Reduce Bias in Your Hiring Process | A vast body of research shows that the hiring process is biased and unfair. Unconscious racism, ageism, and sexism play a big role in who gets hired. This article highlights steps you can take to recognize and reduce these biases. | Harvard Business Review |
| Human Resources | A Culture of Inclusion: Promoting Workplace Diversity and Belonging | Practices for developing an inclusive work culture and information on why inclusive practices are important to organizational health, creativity, and productivity. | Business News Daily |
| Human Resources | How to Build a Positive Company Culture | Includes benefits of a positive workplace culture and suggestions for how to get there | Forbes |
| Human Resources | Why Defining Your Organization's Culture Will Be the Most Important Thing You Do This Year | How to define organizational culture, including questions to ask yourself and other members of your organization, and the role of nonprofit leaders. | Classy |
| Information Technology | Nonprofit Technology Learning Center | A comprehensive library of free and pay-to-use articles, webinars, and tools to help you evaluate nonprofit technology challenges and find the right solutions for you. Includes information on online survey tools, digital fundraising, donor managment systems, using specific free technology resources, project management, team management, and more. (Resources you must pay for have a $ in the corner.) | Tech Impact |
| Information Technology | TechSoup | Discounts for nonprofits on software, new and refurbished hardware, and services including on-call tech help, managed IT services, digital marketing, website development, and moving to the cloud. Website includes articles, blogs, and recorded webinars on a wide range of IT strategies and products. | TechSoup |
| Information Technology | TechSoup virtual courses | Paid, on-demand courses on topics including data analytics, project management, cyber security, creating engaging virtual events, choosing fundraising software, organizing your remote work team, social media marketing, and more. | TechSoup |
| Information Technology | Website Services for Nonprofits | Free website assessments, cost-effective consultations, and customized solutions — TechSoup helps you determine your nonprofit’s website goals and strategy and leverage the right tools and technology to engage your followers and funders. We provide the services you need to launch or optimize your website and scale your online initiatives with less effort and greater impact. | TechSoup |
| Information Technology | Best CRM Software of 2022 | Detailed reviews for 13 top CRM software programs, a guide for how to choose CRM Software, FAQs, and much more. Aimed at for-profit businesses but applicable to nonprofits. | Business News Daily |
| Information Technology | A Consumer's Guide to Low-Cost Fundraising Systems (2020 Edition) | Compares 23 of the most widely used donor management systems against more than a hundred requirements criteria. Identifies which of the systems best serve 12 common nonprofit use cases to help you narrow your search. Free registration includes a downloadable PDF and access to a user-friendly digital version with sortable charts to help you easily compare systems and features. | Tech Impact |
| Information Technology | 37 Top Productivity Tools for Nonprofits | Narrows the hundreds of available productivity tools down to 37 notable solutions that might help you in the day-to-day operations at your nonprofit. Includes Task Management Tools, Calendar and Scheduling Tools, Document Managment Systems, Project Management Systems, Team Communication Tools, Marketing Tools, and more. | TechSoup |
| Information Technology | 22 Free Marketing Tools for Nonprofits | Brief overviews of dozens of free tools for email campaigns, online advertising, data visualization, social media management, website analytics, stock photos, graphic design, volunteer management, and more. | Wired Impact |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Nonprofit Insurance 101 Webinar and Slides | Overview of types of insurance available to nonprofits, including required and optional depending on the type of work you do. Includes tips for choosing an insurance agent and additional considerations. 1-hr webinar. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | MNA Worker's Compensation Insurance Program | This exclusive Worker’s Compensation Insurance Program is focused on controlling workers’ compensation costs and providing innovative risk management services for Montana nonprofits of all sizes. Available only to MNA members. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence | Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Montana is a comprehensive guide that sets forth principles, as well as legally required and organizationally recommended practices for all aspects of nonprofit leadership and management. 36 pages. Digital copies free to MNA members. $20 for non-members. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Board Governance Policy | One of several sample documents under "Governance and Leadership" in MNA's Resource Library. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Board Job Description | One of several sample documents under "Governance and Leadership" in MNA's Resource Library. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Sample Board Commitment Form | One of several sample documents under "Governance and Leadership" in the Montana Nonprofit Association's Resource Library. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Nonprofit Board Compensation: Yes, you can compensate board members, but should you? | Article about whether and how to compensate board members as a tool to reduce barriers to board participation. Some considerations are pecific to Maine law, but this is generally applicable to Montana, too. | Maine Association of Nonprofits |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Federal Filing Requirements for Nonprofits | Information on how to fill out your annual 990 form. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Starting a Nonprofit 501(c)3 in Montana | General steps to incorporating your nonprofit organization. This list is NOT comprehensive – but it does provide a general overview and resource links that will aid you in your effort to become a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in Montana. | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | 15-Step Checklist for Starting a Nonprofit | A series of short (2- 10-minute) videos and written tips for defining your mission, assessing potential funding sources, deciding whether you want to use a fiscal agent or sponsor, creating a budget, drafting bylaws, incorporating with your state, registering with the IRS, setting up a bank account and accounting system, determining libabilities and insurance needs, and more. | Lyda Law Firm |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Articles of Incorporation | An example of a completed nonprofit Articles of Incorporation for the state of Montana | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Articles of Incorporation Form | A general, non-state-specific articles of incorporation form. | Northwest Registered Agent |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Bylaws Workshop | A two-hour workshop on the purpose of bylaws and what nonprofit bylaws should include. Recommended for those starting a nonprofit or updating their bylaws, especially nonprofit board members. | Apex Law Group, Wayfind, and Washington Nonprofits |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Sample Bylaws | The resource name says it all! | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Sample Bylaws | The resource name says it all! | Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Sample Conflict of Interest Policy and Statement | The resource name says it all! | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Ethics Policy | The resource name says it all! | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Ethics Policy | The resource name says it all! | Minnesota Council of Nonprofits |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Conflicts of Interest | What a conflict of interest policy should include to handy tips, sample policies, and more. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Sample Whistleblower Policy | Sample whistleblower policy that can be used as a template | Montana Nonprofit Association |
| Nonprofit Management & Policies | Employee Handbooks | Links to guides and a downloadable template to help you develop employee policies and procedures manuals. | Maine Association of Nonprofits |
| Organizational Planning | Strategic Planning That Makes a Difference (And That's Worth the Time) | Helps organizations focus on the substance of strategic planning to make it more accessible, viable, productive, and valuable. Includes red flags that signal your organization needs more planning, how to make your mission crystal clear, how to set priorities and stick with them, and more. 28 pages. | Management Assistance Group |
| Organizational Planning | Strategic Planning | A compilation of tips, tools, articles and links to help your organization develop an effective strategic plan, set measurable goals, and track your progress. Includes resources for linking strategic planning to equity and inclusion goals. | Maine Association of Nonprofits |
| Organizational Planning | 22 Great Nonprofit Mission Statement Examples | List of 22 compellng nonprofit mission statements, including what makes them great and what could make them even better. Also provides key definitions and a step-by-step guide to writing a nonprofit mission statement. | Donorbox |
| Organizational Planning | Succession Planning for Nonprofits - Managing Leadership Transitions | Includes 10 planning tips for leadership transition, an emergency succession planning toolkit, and many additional resources. | National Council of Nonprofits |
| Organizational Planning | Emergency Succession Plan Sample | A template to help nonprofits plan for unplanned or temporary leadership changes. | Center for Nonprofit Advancement |
| Project Prioritization & Development | Prioritization of Conservation Resources | A step-by-step guide to prioritizing conservation projects, with examples of screening metrics and numeric ranking systems. | We Conserve PA |
| Project Prioritization & Development | Example of a Project Status Tracking Spreadsheet | Example of how to track status and funding of conservation projects | Sun River Watershed Group |
| Project Prioritization & Development | Example of a Project Prioritization Matrix | Example of project prioritization based on organizational strategic objectives and other considerations. | Sun River Watershed Group |
| Project Prioritization & Development | Example of a Project Screening Tool | One way of screening and prioritizing conservation projects based on strategic resource concerns, resources required, partner involvement, project impacts, potential for funding, organizational capacity, and other considerations. | Sun River Watershed Group |
| Tribal Partnerships | Tribal Water Management Videos | Two films (30 minutes and 13 minutes) about water issues in Indian Country. The first video focuses on water quality and the Clean Water Act and the second is an overview of Indian Water Rights. | Salish-Kootenai College and Montana State University Extension Water Quality |
| Tribal Partnerships | Unfencing the Future | A guide for building relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and organizations for working together to achieve conservation goals. | Hester Dillon, 4 Rivers Consulting, with support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation |
| Tribal Partnerships | A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement | Includes key components for creating an Indigenous land acknowlegement statement, ways to use land acknowlegement to support Indigenous communities in tangible ways, and additional resources. | Native Governance Center |
| Tribal Partnerships | Native Land Digital | Includes a map and searchable database of indigenous territories, languages, and treaties; additional resources on land acknowlegement; a teacher's guide for how to use the website; alphabetized lists of territories, languages, and treaties; and more. | Native Land Digital |
We thank all the organizations that have generously shared their hard-earned and personally developed procedures, templates, and other resources with the MWCC watershed conservation network.
***Organizational policies, processes, procedures, contract language, and other documents included in the Watershed Resource Library have not been reviewed for legal accuracy or potential legal liability. If you choose to use any documents or templates in this Watershed Resource Library, we highly recommend asking an attorney to review them first.
Resources and documents may also become out of date, especially those related to state and federal law. Organizational policies, processes, procedures, contract language, and documents should be reviewed regularly – at least every other year.
Are we missing something? Do you have a resource we could add to this library? Is there a resource here that’s out-of-date or has a broken link? Let us know by reporting a problem or providing more information below.