The FWP administers five separate outdoor recreation grant programs to fill a multitude of recreational needs. The key word in whether there is a chance for funding is “OUTDOOR.” None of these programs, with certain technical exceptions such as comfort stations and maintenance sheds, fund indoor recreational facilities. Please check program details carefully.

Grant sponsors needing assistance with any aspect of a grant application should not hesitate to call for help. We are here to answer your questions and to give you advice on how to make your grant application more competitive. See specific grant programs for contact information.

• Land & Water Conservation Fund—The Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal grants program for outdoor recreation. Those eligible for grants are political subdivisions of the state and sovereign Indian Nations (incorporated cities or towns, counties, school districts, state agencies, and tribal governments). Examples of eligible projects include ball fields, open space acquisitions, public parks, outdoor swimming pools, playgrounds, picnic facilities, and walking trails.
• Recreational Trails Program—The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federal grants program for trails. Grants are available to federal, state, and county agencies, sovereign Indian nations, private associations and clubs, but not individuals. Examples of eligible projects include urban trail development near homes and work places, basic front-and backcountry-trail maintenance, restoration of areas damaged by trail use, development of trailside facilities, educational, and safety projects related to trails.
• Montana Snowmobile Program—The Montana Snowmobile Program, a state grants program for snowmobiling, is available to snowmobile clubs, organizations, and public land managing agencies, but not individuals. Examples of eligible projects include grooming of snowmobile trails, groomer maintenance sheds, bridges, signs, and plowing of snowmobile trailhead parking lots.
• Off-Highway Vehicle Program—The Off-Highway Vehicle Program, a state grants program for off highway vehicle trails, is available to public land managing agencies, private OHV clubs and other organizations, but not individuals. Examples of eligible projects include maintenance of existing OHV trails, signing, ethics education, noxious weed control adjacent to trails, enforcement, and route mapping.
• Motor Boat Facility Program—The Motor Boat Facility Program, a state grants program for motorboating, is available to any local governmental entity (incorporated cities, towns, or counties). Eligible projects include only those undertakings that directly benefit motor boat users, such as boat ramps, docks, latrines, access roads, and boat-trailer parking areas.
• Shooting Range Program—The purpose of the Montana Shooting Range Grant Program is to create a continuing program and mechanism to provide funding, through the department, to private shooting clubs, private organizations, local governments, and school districts for the establishment and improvement of a system of shooting ranges throughout Montana.