DO YOU NEED HELP APPLYING FOR A RENEWABLE RESOURCE PLANNING GRANT? 

DNRC is offering local governments Technical Assistance to apply for planning grants. Technical Assistance funds are designed to assist local governments that: 

1.  Do not have an established relationship with a professional engineering firm. OR 
2. Have not been successful in applying for DNRC planning grants in the prior biennium. 

DNRC will prioritize requests for Technical Assistance from local governments who meet the above criteria. 

If Technical Assistance is approved, DNRC will assign a contracted technical service provider to assist the local government with a Renewable Resource Planning Grant Application. 

Technical Assistance is limited to $3,000 or 20 hours @ $150/hour. Technical service providers are contracted with and paid by DNRC once a Renewable Resource Planning Grant Application is submitted. 

If you have questions, please contact Katherine Certalic kcertalic@mt.gov .

PURPOSE

The purpose of the RRGL Planning Grant Program is to provide funding to governmental entities for professional and technical services necessary to produce a high quality RRGL grant application which leads to a project that conserves, manages, develops, or protects Montana’s renewable resources. PLANNING GRANT GUIDELINES.

GRANT LIMITS

Infrastructure PER $40,000

Irrigation PER/ Technical Narrative $30,000

PER or Technical Narrative Update $20,000

Resource Services (Plans or Studies) $15,000

Watershed Restoration Plan $40,000

Watershed Restoration Project Plan $30,000

 FUNDING CYCLES

House Bill 6 includes $3,500,000 for Planning Grants. Application funding is available as revenue is received.

• Accepting Applications: September 25, 2024 – December 31, 2024
• Review and award – November 2024
• Review and award – January 2025

DNRC may choose to extend the application deadline into 2025.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

DNRC will be offering local governments assistance to apply for planning grants. These funds are designed to assist local governments that:

1. Do not have an established relationship with a professional engineering firm. OR
2. Have not been successful in applying for DNRC planning grants in the prior biennium.

DNRC will evaluate requests from local governments for technical assistance based on demonstrated need. If approved, DNRC will assign a contracted technical service provider to assist the local government with a planning grant application. Technical assistance is limited to $3,000 or 20 hours. Technical service providers will be contracted directly with DNRC and assigned at random as local government requests are approved.

• Technical Assistance Opportunity

PROGRAM CONTACT

Michelle McNamee

Phone: 406-422-9626

Email: mmcnamee@mt.gov
 

DNRC RRGL Emergency Grant 

Thank you for your interest in the RRGL Emergency Grant program. The legislature has appropriated $300,000 to the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan (RRGL) Program to provide emergency funding for projects that, due to their emergency nature, cannot wait for legislative approval. Grants are available for emergency projects that pose an immediate threat to the beneficial management of a renewable resource and, if delayed, will cause substantial damage or legal liability. All reasonable funding sources must be investigated before an emergency grant will be awarded. Emergency grants are limited to $30,000 per project. Grant assistance is limited to only serious emergencies that meet program requirements. 

Please review the Program Guidelines Here: RRGL-Program-Guidelines-2025-Biennium 

Grantees must enter into a contract with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) before funds can be reimbursed. Reimbursement requests must include copies of applicable invoices, proof of payment, and the DNRC Vendor Invoice. Project close-out documents include a Certificate of Compliance.
 

For the most up to date grant guidelines, please visit the CD Resource Documents Site.
 

To inquiry about ideas, and/or project feasibility, contact the CD Specialist for your District who will work with you to develop the proposal including a detailed scope, schedule, and budget.
 

https://dnrc.mt.gov/Conservation/Conservation-Programs/Conservation-Districts/
 

Stephanie Criswell, Steph.Criswell@mt.gov, 406-444-6669
Mary Hendrix,  Mary.Hendrix@mt.gov, 406-431-2639
Veronica Grigaltchik, Veronica.Grigaltchik@mt.gov, 406-437-4501
Catey Bauer, catey.bauer@mt.gov, 406-465-0948

Kasydi Lucas, kasydi.lucas2@mt.gov, 406-594-0726

Applications will be accepted on an open and rolling basis until available funding is awarded.

First review period closes for applications: April 15, 2024.

Additional review periods: ongoing until December 31, 2024, or sooner if all funds are awarded.

 

The funding for the Conservation Education Program is derived from the State of Montana Fire Suppression Fund and from federal awards from the United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Forestry and Trust Lands Division. 

  The intent of these funds is to provide program assistance and outreach efforts to children (pre-K through 12th grade) and their educators in both classroom and informal settings.
 

OBJECTIVES
      Funds will be awarded to proposals deliver quality youth educational experiences. Examples of appropriate uses of these funds include:
 

• Outdoor education activities for youth pre-K through 12th grade.
• Facilitator training activities and associated costs.
• Professional development in the field of conservation education.
• Facilitation costs, meeting space, refreshments, and other expenses associated with hosting the aforementioned activities or events.
• Travel to and registration for training or professional development opportunities associated with conservation education.

 
 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
     Montana state, local, or tribal governments, non-profits, community groups, educational institutions, educators, or individuals.

 FUNDING AND CRITERIA

• Up to $30,000 is available for awards in this cycle. 
• Awards are typically $3,000 or less, although the program manager may approve larger amounts, on a limited basis. 
• Funds must be expended within one calendar year of the date of approval. 

 
 MATCH
      Applicants are encouraged to show match from the organization and partners to increase the competitiveness of their proposal, but match is not required.

Notice of Funding Available and Request for Proposals

Proposals Due By: The application is open and rolling until funding is awarded.

• First review period closes for applications : April 1, 2024.
• Additional review periods: ongoing until March 31, 2025 or sooner if all funds are awarded.

Purpose

DNRC’s fundamental intent in areas of State/County Cooperative Fire Protection (County Coop) is to build and maintain the capacity of local governments so that local firefighters routinely succeed on the initial attack of wildland fires and avoid the need for large-scale involvement by the DNRC or our federal partners. The County Coop Fire Protection arrangement builds upon the fire suppression capacity of communities and local government and has been a highly effective fire protection model in Montana for the past 50+ years. This success can be attributed to the strong partnerships and cooperation that exist across the state.

To better support this fire protection arrangement in an ever-changing wildfire environment, DNRC has made funding available aimed at cooperatively increasing local fire leadership, preparedness, and fire response capabilities. Through this opportunity, DNRC seeks to fund and leverage staff capacity or projects in support of local fire response coordination needs while also supporting DNRC County Coop fire protection related functions. 

Desired Outcomes

• Actions and investments that further the capacity of rural fire protection entities at the local level, while also supporting the fundamental intent of the DNRC County Coop program.
• Well-coordinated, safe, and effective local wildland fire response.
• Increased wildfire preparedness efforts and improved coordination between local, state, and federal fire response organizations.

Source of Funding

Funding sources for this grant are from appropriations in the State of Montana made available through the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Forestry and Trust Lands Division. State General Fund (HB2) is expected as an on-going funding source. There has also been a one-time increase from the Fire Suppression Fund through HB 883 for this cycle of grant opportunity. Grant funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis.

Eligible Applicants

Montana counties with a current Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the State of Montana as outlined in MCA 7-33-2202 (4b) are eligible to apply.

Allowable Activities

This grant opportunity is intended to further the capacity of rural fire protection entities at the local level, while also supporting the fundamental intent of the DNRC State/County Cooperative Fire Protection program. The following are items are examples of potentially eligible projects. DNRC encourages innovative approaches to furthering local fire leadership, preparedness, and fire response capabilities.
 

Note: These funds are intended to supplement activities or fulfill unmet needs--they cannot be used to replace previously allocated funding.

Examples of eligible high priority activities include:

• Funding County Fire Warden, Deputy County Fire Warden, or Rural Fire Coordinator positions that are currently unfunded, part-time, ad hoc, or volunteer.
• Reimbursement/stipends for other unfunded or volunteer fire leadership positions such as County Rural Fire Chiefs, Fire Chiefs or Duty Chiefs/Duty Officers during periods of heightened fire activity.
• Reimbursement/stipends for County Rural Fire Department or Rural Fire District Personnel for fire response.
• Other projects that further the capacity and capabilities of local fire response entities.

Another example of eligible, are more of a one time funding that would be more focused towards the following activities include:

• IT Infrastructure that better supports well-coordinated, safe, and effective local wildland fire response (Dispatch, CAD, GIS, Mutual Aid Communications).
• Wildland fire leadership and incident command training.
• Other items that directly support high priority activities listed above with a reasonable justification.

If funding staff/personnel time or positions, Grantee will administer payment and/or payroll responsibilities for those individuals. The Grantee is also responsible for making sure that it and its employees are covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance and in compliance with the coverage provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

Restrictions

This grant funding is subject to the following restrictions:

• Grant funding must result in a net increase in fire response capacity. It cannot be used to repurpose or replace funding of positions that are already funded.
• Funds are not intended for fire suppression equipment or personal protective equipment. Other grant funding sources exist for these types of items.
• Projects not directly related to furthering local fire leadership, preparedness, and fire response capabilities are ineligible.

Grant Amount

Grants awarded will typically range from $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000. DNRC may consider proposals exceeding the $100,000 limit on an exceptional basis. Award amounts may vary due to funding availability and the number and quality of applications received. Multi-year applications will be considered with a 3-year maximum.

Match Requirement

This grant does not require match. However, cash and/or in-kind contributions are encouraged to support the cooperative intent of this opportunity. 

How To Apply

Scroll down and select "login" (if you already have a Submittable account) or "create a new account" to start filling out the application. Submit your application by 5 p.m. on April 1, 2024 for consideration in the first review period. 

• You can use this worksheet to start brainstorming your ideas. You can then copy and paste your answers into the Submittable application.

Letters of support for the funding request from participating fire departments, rural fire councils, and other organizations are not required but will strengthen an application.

After the initial round of proposals are reviewed, if funding remains, additional proposals will be reviewed up until the final submission deadline of March 31, 2025. The panel may choose to immediately award funding to a proposal, may reject a proposal for funding or may choose to place a proposal in a pending approval status. Pending approval proposals may or may not be subsequently awarded funds and may be passed-over for funding in favor of a later submission that the panel deems to have more merit. The opportunity will remain open and will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until March 31, 2025 or earlier if all funding is awarded.

Award and Disbursement 

Applications received will be reviewed for funding by DNRC Fire Protection staff. Applications will be evaluated on how well they meet the goals of the grant program. If funding remains after first-round selections, or if additional funding becomes available, DNRC may consider funding additional applications at that time.

Upon selection of funding, DNRC will proceed with developing grant award documents with identified points of contact. Applicants selected in the first review period must be capable of returning a signed grant agreement to DNRC by June 20, 2024.  Funded activities may start July 1, 2024.

Funds may only be used as described in the executed grant agreement unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the DNRC. Disbursement of grant funds by DNRC will be upon approval of submitted documentation of reimbursable costs. Documentation may include itemized receipts, invoices, financial reports, and other documents that clearly show expenditures.

Reporting Requirements

Grantees will be required to report to DNRC on a quarterly basis to describe project accomplishments and how funds are being utilized. A final report will be required stating how the funds were used and the outcomes that were achieved.

Helpful Links

• CFP Worksheet (you can copy and paste your answers from the worksheet to Submittable).
• Authorizing Statement (this will need to be signed by a County Commissioner).
• How to add collaborators.

Questions? 

David Hamilton

State/County Cooperative Fire Program Manager

DNRC Fire Protection Bureau

406-431-1948

dahamilton@mt.gov 

Funding for the Inflation Reduction Act, Urban and Community Forestry Grants is derived from a federal award of the United States Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Forestry and Trust Lands Division. 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Trees for Indigenous Nations
 

Goals: Managing and enhancing community forests by providing accessible funding opportunities, technical assistance, and resources for tribal communities.
 

Expected Outcomes: The expected accomplishments of this project include increased access to healthy green spaces for tribal communities, increased tree canopy and ecosystems benefits, climate adaptation, and improved air and water quality. The project also aims to increase opportunities for tribal communities and to develop a sustainable community forestry foundation for the long-term.
 

Types of allowable projects through these funds:

• Tree plantings: urban restoration efforts, biodiversity, community and ecosystem health, habitat management in and around urban areas, trees in rural community landscapes, interpretive, cultural, educational plantings, and shelterbelts.
• Sustainability: climate change, pollution, and erosion mitigation, restoring culturally important tree species, accessible and energy-wise water systems for tree establishment, maintenance, removals, and replacements, and wood utilization.
• Outreach, education, planning, public awareness, build and share ecological knowledge, and strengthen partnerships. Examples include public workshops, educational events, and culturally based community engagement. 
• Capacity building: professional development, local workforce training, supporting positions to ensure sustainability and long-term management for community forestry work. 
• Program development, i.e., advancement of integrating cultural knowledge and practices in community forestry. Build culturally educational, interpretive tree programs.
• Establishing and supporting tree orchards and food forest sovereignty programs 
• Tree nurseries, sustainable nursery programs, procurement/propagation of culturally significant trees

Application

Please submit a project concept for review and evaluation. This request for proposals is a preliminary process to review eligibility, scope, and capacity to make a successful project. Selected applications will move forward to full project development working in collaboration with DNRC staff.

Approximate Timeline Benchmarks

September 2024 - Project concept portal opens via Submittable

November 2024 - Project concepts are DUE 

December 2024 - Notification of selected projects

December - January  - DNRC works with applicants to build out proposals

February - March 2025 - Subaward Agreements developed for successful projects

Who Can Apply

Any federally recognized tribal entity in the state of Montana, tribal-based organizations, local and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, public and state-controlled institutions of education, tribal colleges, community-based organizations, or others serving tribal communities.
 

Available Funding

Individual subawards will range from $50,000 to a maximum of $150,000 total, over 3 years, depending on the scope of work, unique needs, and capabilities of the applicant organization. No match is required for these funds, but additional tracking and reporting requirements may be required.

$1,000,000 in total funding is available.
 

Methodology and Review of Project Concept Submissions

Project concepts will be accepted through the Submittable platform. Submittals will be evaluated based on the following elements:

• Organizational Overview; Capacity 
• Project Description, Management      
• Budget Components

Project review will be conducted using afair and objective assessment of ability to move forward into the next process of development and the potential positive impact of the project on the community. If selected, projects will undergo assisted development with DNRC to further build out the proposal. 

Reporting Requirements

Biannual reporting will be required from subawardees. This will help measure and track progress, ensure goals are met, and avoid payment delays. 

Project Budget Information

Project grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis with necessary documentation. Recipients may submit multiple requests for reimbursement throughout the period of performance, as often as once per month.

Reimbursable Expenses May Include:

Personnel Expenses - Cost of hiring seasonal employees or special staff to carry out the project. 

Operating Expenditures - Cost of purchasing appropriate supplies and materials to complete the project. Examples: trees, planting supplies, irrigation, equipment rental, media (public service announcements), printing, or educational elements related to urban forestry (workshops, speaker costs, educational publications, facility fees).

Contracted Professional Services - Costs related to hiring a consultant or contractor (arboriculture, forestry, landscape design, or planning) or other professional for the project.

Indirect Costs - An organization’s Indirect Rate for administration and expenses not directly allocable to the grant – such as electricity and insurance.
 

Unallowable Expenses:

Capital assets - Purchases of large equipment (value of $5,000+) and some types of hardscaping.

Other examples include food (exceptions may apply), entertainment, gifts, promotional items, and alcohol. Please review the DNRC Subaward Manual, p.7, for more guidance.
 

For additional information contact:

Alexis Armstrong, Forestry Assistance Program Support Technician. 

Montana DNRC, 2705 Spurgin Road Missoula, Montana 59804-3199. 

Telephone: 406-542-4207. 

Email: alexis.armstrong@mt.gov.

To aid in your application preparation, DNRC has developed a WORKSHEET of the questions for you to preview. You can use this Microsoft Word file as a place to develop your responses. When ready to submit your application, copy and paste the answers into the Submittable form.