Funding is open now through October 2026!
The MWCC Watershed Fund provides funding to assist our community-based watershed conservation partners with expenses for professional development opportunities related to natural resource conservation and watershed health, including organizational capacity to achieve conservation goals. This may include attending trainings, conferences, and workshops on a wide range of topics. Funding criteria vary from year to year, depending on funding source(s).
Funding is available on a rolling basis for events through October 31st, 2026, or until funds are expended. Professional Development opportunities taking place after October 31st, 2026 are ineligible. Applicants may apply for up to $600, but typical award amounts are usually $500 or less. Awards are disbursed on a reimbursement basis. The Watershed Fund considers financial need and the reality that some of our watershed conservation partners in more remote parts of Montana may have higher travel costs to some events. Funding requests must be submitted at least 14 days before the training or event start date.
If more than one person from your organization will be attending the same event, please fill out only one request form covering costs for everyone attending.
Purpose
The purpose of this funding is to allow community-based watershed conservation organizations to acquire skills and knowledge relevant to natural resource conservation and watershed health. Funds will help local watershed organizations build their capacity to reduce and prevent NPS pollution in accordance with the Montana Nonpoint Source Management Plan. This includes helping personnel acquire skills and knowledge relevant to:
Reducing and preventing nonpoint source pollution in their watersheds
Building long-term capacity to implement DEQ-accepted WRPs.
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.
Funds may support relevant professional development opportunities for watershed organization staff, board members, and BSWC members. It is preferred that funding go to an organization, but funding may go to an individual if a fiscal sponsor is listed. There is no match requirement for this Professional Development Support, but the Watershed Fund encourages cost-saving measures including seeking event scholarships, carpooling, alternative transportation, and shared lodging.
How to Apply
Submit your funding request via the online Professional Development Support Request form in
Submittable. If more than one person from your organization will be attending the same professional development opportunity, please fill out just one request form for everyone attending.
If your organization has an existing Submittable account that has been used to submit previous proposals to the Watershed Fund, please login to that same account before clicking on the link above or filling out this proposal form. Do not create a new account. If you are new to Submittable, you can click here to learn more about how to set up a free account and submit a funding request using this platform.
Current Funding
Awards of up to $600 may support registration fees, lodging, and travel expenses, but may not cover meals or per diem. ~$6,000 in total funding is available.
Thank you to our Funders
Current
Previously
Questions?
Please contact Executive Director Amy Seaman at director@mtwatersheds.org with any questions, and to discuss your funding ideas.