About
The Watershed Management Grant (WMG) Program goals are to provide financial support for the development and implementation of locally led watershed related planning and capacity building activities that conserve, develop, improve or preserve state natural resources.
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Eligible Applicants:
- Cities, counties, or other political subdivisions
- Tribal governments in Montana
- Divisions of state government (departments, agencies, boards, commissions)
- Non-profit entities may apply with local government sponsorship or 1:1 match
Eligible Projects:
Grants will be awarded for planning efforts and capacity building activities identified in a strategic plan, that conserve, develop, manage, or preserve renewable resources. Approved grants shall be an instrument to enhance natural resource benefits.
Examples of WMG Projects include:
Watershed Group Formation
Grant funding to establish a watershed group. A watershed group is a self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based group that is composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, federal, state, or local agencies, and tribes. Grant funds awarded in this category may fund development of bylaws, a mission statement, complete stakeholder outreach, and develop a strategic plan.
Watershed Organization Strategic Plans
Strategic plans focus on the mission and goals of an organization that helps groups define the organization’s priorities. Strategic planning is a process culminating in a 3-5 year planning document that addresses an organization's current state, identifies future goals, and can then be used to develop annual work plans. The Conservation District Bureau at DNRC has tools to assist CDs https://dnrc.mt.gov/Conservation/Conservation-Programs/Conservation-Districts/cd-resource-documents . The Montana Nonprofit Association provides resources for nonprofit organizations online: https://www.mtnonprofit.org/.
Watershed Strategic Program or Initiative
Strategic programs or initiatives are identified in an organization’s Strategic Plan. These programs or initiatives will need to be clearly tied to the organization’s mission and align with the purpose of the Watershed Management Grants. Examples may include watershed group expansion, staff support of a Watershed Restoration Plan, staff time for project management or contracted services to prepare a Watershed Restoration Project Plan, staff time for project management to oversee a non-point construction project, staff time to coordinate volunteers, purchase of materials for education and outreach.
Hosting a Big Sky Watershed Corps member.
Grants will support a portion of the local host site cost share to support a Big Sky Watershed Corps member. This will be a one-time grant application and award and will require submission of a final report at the end of the BSWC term. MCC Fellows and interns are not eligible under this category, as they would eligible under the other categories for staff time in Watershed Management Grants, and costs for their salaries are ongoing throughout the life of the project or grant.
Grant Amount
|
Watershed Group Formation |
Watershed Organization Strategic Plans |
Watershed Strategic Program or Initiative |
Big Sky Watershed Corps Host Site Cost Share |
|
$40,000 |
$25,000 |
$50,000 |
$8,000 |
|
Local Government = no match |
Local Government = no match |
Local Government = no match |
Local Government = no match |
|
Non-government entity match = Up to 50% of the total project cost |
Non-government entity match = Up to 50% of the total project cost |
Non-government entity match = Up to 50% of the total project cost |
Non-government entity match = Up to 50% of the total project cost |
Match Requirements
All entities are required to have 1:1 match for equipment.
Non-government entities: A cost share of 50% (1:1) of total costs is required. Match shares may be in-kind services or cash.
A government entity may sponsor a non-government entity for a watershed management grant. The sponsor must submit the application and provide project Oversite. Grant sponsors must have a material connection to the work being performed and are the legal party for purposes of project representation, negotiations and communications.
Ineligible Expenses
- Program Costs aka indirect costs:
- "Program costs" means non-reimbursable costs not directly related to the project. Program costs include but are not limited to: office rent that will be incurred whether or not the project is implemented; salaries of existing fully funded staff positions unless the work-hours associated with the project are accounted for; or any other costs that pay for ongoing or general services of the applicant. For example: rent, utilities, licenses, reoccurring/regular meetings/newsletters (unrelated to planning or specific capacity development), staff time (unrelated to planning or specific capacity development), ongoing cost deemed necessary to continue business (operations).
- Political lobbying or litigation
- Land or property acquisition
- Food or beverages
- Activities that limit lawful access to property (see MCA 85-1-602 (4))
How to Apply
Submit applications through the online grant management system: grants.dnrc.mt.gov
No application fees are required.
For additional help please see: Getting Started as a Submitter | Submittable Help Center and/or Submittable Help - For Submitters | Submittable
Application Review and Award
DNRC solicits, evaluates, and ranks each application. Funds are awarded based on rank and available funding.
Application Evaluation Criteria
- Potential for renewable resource benefits.
- Applicant presents a clear mission statement tied to renewable resource benefits.
- Potential public benefits. Including implementation of the state water plan priorities.
- Applicant presents goals that can correlate with reasonable public benefits.
- Technical feasibility of the proposed plan.
- Thoroughness of the implementation plan and schedule.
- Applications with a clear plan to complete grant activities within 2 years of award will be given priority.
- Financial feasibility of the proposed plan.
- Financial feasibility considers the adequacy of the budget narrative submitted with the grant application.
- Financial feasibility considers the committed match in relation to total project cost. Committed cash match will receive a higher preference than uncommitted match or in-kind match.
- Financial need considers the ability of the project to be accomplished without assistance of the grants, to be given preference. Applicants can demonstrate that staff salaries are not paid through the organization’s annual operating budget or other grant funds.
- The applicant’s ability to manage a project as demonstrated in a clear grant management plan.
- Public and stakeholder support.
- DNRC is required to consider the geographic balance of private grants. Ranking preference will be granted to entities that have not received WMG funds in the prior biennium.
Review the WMG Grant Scoring Criteria at the end of the program guidance.
Additional Information
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Melissa Downing