The MWCC Watershed Fund provides direct support to our community-based Watershed Partners for capacity-building, professional development, and on-the-ground projects. The Watershed Fund increases the capacity of local communities to advance community-based, locally led conservation using the Watershed Approach to conservation by filling critical funding gaps.
To learn more about the MWCC Watershed Fund, click Here. For information about different types of Watershed Fund support, see our Project Support, Capacity Support, Professional Development Support, and Big Sky Watershed Corps Support pages. You may also contact MWCC Watershed Programs Coordinator Terri Nichols at terri@mtwatersheds.org.
Currently available funding opportunities are listed below.
The MWCC Watershed Fund is now accepting Capacity Support proposals for projects that help local watershed conservation partners develop the organizational capacity necessary to implement the Watershed Approach to conservation to achieve community conservation goals. Up to $5,000 may be awarded to each recipient, with $25,000 in total funding available. Read the full Request for Proposals for additional details.
Proposals are due by 5 pm on Monday, April 8, 2024. Funding decisions will be made by the end of April, with funding distributed by early June 2024, upon completion of an agreement between MWCC and the grantee (up front rather than as a reimbursement). Match funding is not required for Capacity Support grants but is encouraged to maximize the impacts of this funding and our partners’ programs.
Purpose
The purpose of this funding is to fill immediate capacity gaps that, if bridged, would enhance local watershed organizations’ ability 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 districts; irrigation districts; water quality districts; non-profits; forest collaboratives; tribally led organizations; and tribal government agencies. Federal agencies, state agencies, individuals, and for-profit entities are not eligible.
Examples of Eligible Projects:
The following are merely examples and are not inclusive of all potentially eligible projects. MWCC encourages innovative approaches to building organizational capacity to achieve local watershed conservation goals.
- Establishing or developing a new conservation program or initiative
- Growing or sustaining existing conservation programs or initiatives
- Watershed planning and project prioritization
- Developing partnerships for a specific conservation goal
- Establishing or developing cooperative conservation initiatives such as weed management areas, drought response and mitigation efforts, long-term natural disaster recovery and resilience efforts, local climate change response, etc.
- Developing sustainable fundraising strategies for specific watershed conservation efforts
- Landowner outreach efforts aimed at specific conservation efforts or developing more on-the-ground projects on private lands
- Increasing Board involvement in conservation initiatives
- Creating education and outreach programs
Restrictions
This money cannot be used for the following:
- On-the-ground project implementation or monitoring programs
- Political lobbying or litigation
- Purchase of equipment that is not directly related to a capacity-building project or that exceeds 20% of the project budget.
- Projects not directly related to improving or sustaining local conservation efforts, such as financial planning, strategic planning, general communications, organizational succession planning, etc. The MWCC Watershed Resource Library provides resources and links to training related to nonprofit development and management under the “Capacity and Organizational Resources” and “Additional Nonprofit Resources” tabs.
What is Required of Organizations that Receive Funding?
Organizations that receive funding will be required to:
- Complete their project by May 31, 2025
- Submit a brief final report on project outcomes, activities, deliverables, budget, and publicity on or before June 13, 2025 (Reporting questions available for download at the bottom of this page.)
- Be willing to share materials, photos, and social media developed from funded activities with MWCC and our watershed conservation partners to build capacity statewide
Funding Timeline
- Monday, April 8, 2024 by 5 pm - Funding proposals due
- Week of April 29, 2024 - Applicants notified of funding decisions
- Week of May 20, 2024 - Draft funding agreements to grant recipients
- Funding checks mailed to grant recipients upon signature of funding agreements by both MWCC and the grant recipient.
- May 31, 2025 - Projects complete
- June 13, 2025 - Final grant reports due
Application Documents to Download
- Use the following spreadsheet template for the Project Budget Proposal upload in the proposal form.
- This Word document of the full proposal form is available for reference, but final proposals must be submitted via the online form linked above
Review Criteria
MWCC Watershed Fund Reviewers (see Watershed Fund Committee Members at the bottom of this page) evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:
- Organization’s mission and goals are clear and in line with the proposed project.
- Organization’s project and capacity needs are clear. Project addresses targeted community conservation goals, concerns, or limitations.
- Project timeline is realistic, and deliverables will enable the applying organization to more sustainably and effectively pursue targeted watershed conservation goals identified within their community.
- Project implements the following principles of the Watershed Approach: - Is community-based and community-driven; - Ensures broad community involvement and inclusion; - Relies on local leadership; - Encourages collaboration with partners in the watershed, with key project partners and partner roles clearly identified
- Project Budget provides clear, realistic details on costs for each line item, for both funds requested and financial match, if applicable.
- Organizational budget is complete and attached.
Questions and Proposal Ideas
Please contact Watershed Programs Manager Terri Nichols with any questions, and to discuss your funding ideas. terri@mtwatersheds.org
The MWCC Watershed Fund has funding to help Montana’s local watershed conservation organizations build their capacity to reduce and prevent nonpoint source (NPS) pollution through professional development opportunities directly related to this work. Funded opportunities must involve training to reduce and prevent NPS pollution in accordance with the Montana Nonpoint Source Management Plan and/or to support implementation of DEQ-accepted Watershed Restoration Plans (WRPs). This funding is provided in partnership with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Read the full 2024 Professional Development Support Funding page for more information.
Local watershed conservation organization personnel, including staff, board members, and Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) members, may use these small grants to attend trainings, conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities. Awards of up to $700 may support registration fees, lodging, and travel expenses but may not cover meals or per diem. $3,000 in total funding is available. Funding requests must be submitted at least 14 days before the training or event start date.
Funding is available on a rolling basis throughout 2024, depending on availability. Awards are typically $500 or less, but 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. If more than one person from your organization will be attending the same event, please fill out just one request form covering costs for everyone attending. Funding is disbursed on a reimbursement basis, after the person who attended the event fills out a reimbursement form explaining how the opportunity will help their organization reduce or prevent nonpoint source pollution.
Purpose
The purpose of this funding is to 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 NPS 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 districts; irrigation districts; water quality districts; non-profits; forest collaboratives; 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, but funding may only go directly to the organization, not to individuals.
What is Covered?
Awards may cover registration fees, lodging, and travel costs on a reimbursement basis, including mileage reimbursement at the current state mileage rate ($0.67 for 2024), vehicle rental fees, or alternative transportation. The Watershed Fund does not pay for meal costs or per diem. Award amounts are typically $500 or less, but we consider 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..
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.
Requirements
To receive reimbursement, awardees must fill out a short reimbursement form detailing:
- What skills and knowledge they gained from the professional development opportunity
- How they will apply what they learned to reduce and prevent NPS pollution in their watershed
- How they will apply what they learned to implement their local WRP, if applicable
Those who are awarded funding must provide receipts for registration fees, lodging, and other expenses to be reimbursed under this funding. Documentation of mileage costs is not required.
How to Apply
Submit your funding request via this online Professional Development Support Request form. 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, including all anticipated costs.
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.
Word Version of Funding Request Form
Word Version of Reimbursement Form
These documents are included for your convenience, and for cutting and pasting from if you’d like. Do not use them to apply for professional development support, or to request reimbursement. All funding requests must be submitted via this online form. If your request is approved, the MWCC Watershed Fund will send you an electronic reimbursement form.
Questions?
Contact Watershed Programs Manager Terri Nichols with any questions. (406) 210-1217, terri@mtwatersheds.org