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

Notice To Applicants: The 2025 LWCF Pre-Application Ranking Results Will Be Released During the First Week of September.

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 develop 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.