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