Land & Water Conservation Fund matching grants help local communities provide open spaces and healthy recreation places for Montana families. Land & Water Conservation Fund Recreation Grants

Program Specifics

The Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program is a federal grant program administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). The LWCF Program provides matching grant funds to state, tribal, and local government entities to create or develope public outdoor recreation areas. Montana’s LWCF Program has funded over 800 projects throughout Montana since its creation in 1964.

The 2020-2024 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) provides guidance to direct Montana’s state-side apportionment of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. This plan has been extended through 2025.

Eligibility and Funding

Examples of eligible projects include: ball fields, public parks, outdoor municipal pools, playgrounds, picnic facilities, walking trails and more. This grant requires a 50% non-federal match.

How to Apply

The LWCF pre-application cycle will open on June 1^st, 2025. Please read the LWCF Guidelines found below and submit your pre-application by July 31st, 2025 5:00 PM MT. Pre-applications should be submited to the LWCF Program Manager via email at Olivia.Hollis@mt.gov.

2025 LWCF Application Cycle:

June 1 – July 31: Pre-application period open
Aug 1 – Aug 15: Internal FWP ranking committee will review & rank pre-applications
Aug 18: LWCF Program Manager will notify all pre-applicants whether they have been selected to complete the full application
Aug 18 – Nov 28: Successful pre-applicants will complete and submit their full application package and work with LWCF Program Manager to submit the application to the National Park Service for final review and approval

Application Materials