FY27 Conservation District Administrative Grant Application

GENERAL INFORMATION:  The Montana Legislature provides Montana conservation districts with coal severance tax monies for any purpose they are authorized to perform pursuant to MCA, Title 76, Chapter 15, Part. 

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Conservation Resource Development Division (CARDD) administers this funding through Conservation District (CD) Administrative Grants. 

Eligibility for CD Administrative Operations Grants

Under state law, conservation districts must first fully utilize their regular mill levy authority for operational costs before becoming eligible for state financial assistance. This requirement applies only to regular mill levies and does not limit the use of permissive mill authority, which remains available for its specific statutory purposes. The program is open to all conservation districts and funding is awarded based on demonstrated financial need pursuant to 76‑15‑530, MCA.

CDs that meet the criteria below are eligible to apply for CD Administrative (CDA) grant funding. These standards are used to evaluate CDA funding requests.

1. CD has levied its maximum regular mill and has a need for supplemental funds for general operations. 76-15-530, MCA 
2. CD has submitted Annual Financial Reports to the Department of Administration- Local Government Services. 2-7-503, MCA
3. CD has prepared and will submit a preliminary budget to the county clerk and recorder. 7-6-40, MCA
4. District is current with submittal of monthly meeting minutes. 76-15-530, MCA
5. A statement of assets including account balances and the district’s plans and timeline for expending those funds.

Beyond supplementary grants for district operations, additional funding opportunities are available through CD Administrative Grant funding and include:

• 310 Reimbursement. DNRC reimburses districts for each 310 application processed. Rates per application are subject to the total number of 310 reimbursement requests and available budget. Unlike the other options in this application, this is a reimbursement for the previous year’s 310 work.
• MACD Dues Opt-in. CDs can opt-in for $3,500 in funding for their upcoming Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) annual dues. By opting in, the CD agrees to supplement these funds with $500 in non-CDA funding and is responsible for paying dues directly to MACD. Through association dues, MACD provides statewide programming and services to all CDs in Montana.
• Funding requests for statewide or regional affiliate programs. Affiliate programs are regional or statewide efforts that provide programming or services benefiting most Montana conservation districts. This option has additional criteria beyond what is included in these guidelines. Please reach out to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) - Conservation Districts Bureau (CDB) for more detailed information on this option.

Review the CD Administrative Grant Guidelines for additional information about eligibility and this funding opportunity.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 31, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.   

For additional information about Conservation District Grant Programs, visit dnrc.mt.gov or contact your CD Specialist.