Mini-Grants
Program Overview: In 2002, Montana TU’s State Council created the Habitat Protection and Enhancement Fund from the Estate of Bud Morris and the Steve Bryant Wilt Trout Stewardship Fund investment accounts. The earnings from these funds and the generous support from the Connell Family Foundation are used to fund specific projects that further MTU’s mission to “conserve, protect and restore Montana’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds”. Proposals for funding are reviewed biannually by the MTU executive committee.
Past projects have included youth education, restoration and habitat monitoring. Learn more about the wins for trout the Mini-Grant Program has achieved in its first 20 years.
Eligibility: Only TU chapters or their affiliates in Montana are eligible for funding. Chapters must:
- Be in good standing with Trout Unlimited National and the Montana State Council
- Satisfy all federal tax filing requirements
- Meet reporting requirements of past awards from the program
Chapter presidents or the presiding office of the chapter or affiliate must authorize each proposal. Recipients are required to report on the status of mini-grant awards prior to the subsequent funding cycle until the project has been completed or withdrawn. For example, if you received a spring mini-grant, a final report form or project update form must be submitted by the fall cycle deadline. Chapters who have not submitted updates or final reports prior to the deadline may be deemed ineligible to receive further funding until the requirement is fulfilled.
How to apply: Application deadlines are November 1st and April 1st. Applications can be submitted online and must include a completed project budget. Each chapter has been provided a login and password to the online system.
Funding availability varies from year to year. We encourage you to contact Montana TU to learn more before submitting a grant application. Call Montana TU at 406-543-0054 or email [email protected]
Reports and Application Materials