Watershed Fund Capacity Support - Montana Watershed Coordination Council

The MWCC Watershed Fund has funding to help our local watershed conservation partners develop the organizational capacity necessary to achieve community conservation goals. Projects must directly relate to community-led solutions using the Watershed Approach to conservation, and must also demonstrate a strong connection between organizational or community capacity and improved watershed health. Maximum awards range from $5,000-$8,000, depending on funding availability.

The 2025 RFP is closed and applications are currently being reviewed.

Funded Projects:

Organization	Project Title
Centennial Valley Association	Expanding Water & Drought Awareness in the Centennial Valley
Clearwater Resource Council	Community Engagement on Waters of the Clearwater Valley
Yaak Valley Forest Council	A Headwaters Dashboard for the Kootenai River Watershed
Lolo Watershed Group	Reinvigorating the Lolo Watershed Group
Sun River Watershed Group	Expanding SRWG Staff and Board to Build Organizational Capacity
Gallatin River Task Force	Big Sky Water Plan Coordination and Outreach

Organization	Project Title
Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group	Upper Yellowstone River Assessment Committee Capacity Support
Big Hole Watershed Committee	Capturing Stakeholder Knowledge for Natural Water Storage Project Development
Gallatin Watershed Council	Gallatin Valley Riparian Planting Guide
Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group	Thompson River Road Consolidation Coordination
Winnett ACES	Winnett ACES Soil Health Initiative
Stillwater Valley Watershed Council	Increasing the Capacity to Lead the Post-Flood River Assessment Triage Team
Granite Headwaters Watershed Group	Increase Capacity and Community Engagement in Flint-Rock Watershed

Organization	Project Title
Sacajawea Audubon Society	Urban Wetlands and Communities: Bridging Ecological and Social Values
Lake Helena Watershed Group	Capacity Building and Conservation in the Lake Helena Watershed
Blackfoot Challenge	Drought Resilience Presentation Series
Beaverhead Watershed Committee	Community Engagement on Stream Flow Management
Clearwater Resource Council	Lakeshore Property Assessments along Salmon Lake
Lolo Watershed Group	Building from Success: Education, Outreach, and Restoration on Lolo Creek
Flathead Rivers Alliance	Building Capacity around Water Quality Monitoring on the Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River
Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group	Expanding the Restoration Toolkit for the Bull River
Sun River Watershed Group	Building Capacity for On-the-Ground Conservation in the Sun River Watershed

Organization	Project Title
Beaverhead Watershed Committee	Building Organizational Structure and Integrity
Bitt erroot Water Partnership	Capitalizing on Momentum: Strategic Planning + Connecting With Streamside Landowners
Lake Helena Watershed Group	Building a Foundation for the Lake Helena Watershed Group
Lolo Watershed Group	Establishing Lolo Watershed Group as the Local Leader in Protecting and Restoring Lolo Creek and its Watershed
Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group	Private Landowner Engagement & Project Development
Musselshell Watershed Coalition	Musselshell Watershed Coalition Strategic Plan
Sun River Watershed Group	Building Capacity for Organizational Resilience
The Watershed Education Network	Community Engagement in the Rattlesnake Creek Watershed

Organization	Project Title
Big Hole Watershed Committee	Upland and Forest Health Restoration Program Development
Bitter Root Water Forum	Improved Sustainability and Increased Impact Through Staffing Communications + True Program Costs
Blackfoot Challenge	Prescribed Fire Foundations
Gallatin Watershed Council	Organizational Re-Branding
Kootenai River Network	KRN Website Modernization and Transboundary Education Project
Musselshell Watershed Coalition	Establishing a Cooperative Weed Management Area
Sun River Watershed Group	Organizational Capacity and Improved Outreach

Purpose

The purpose of this funding is to fill critical capacity gaps, enabling local watershed conservation organizations to more sustainably and effectively pursue targeted conservation goals identified within their communities. Projects must directly relate to community-led solutions using the Watershed Approach to conservation, and must also demonstrate a strong connection between organizational or community capacity and improved watershed health.

Eligibility

Watershed conservation organizations that are supporting local communities to advance community-based, locally led conservation using the Watershed Approach to conservation are eligible. This includes watershed groups; conservation, irrigation, and water quality districts; non-profits; forest collaboratives; Tribally led nonprofits; and Tribal government agencies. Federal agencies, state agencies, individuals, and for-profit entities are not eligible.

Thank you to our Funders

Current

Previously

Questions?

Please contact Executive Director Amy Seaman at info@mtwatersheds.org with any questions, and to discuss your funding ideas.