Best Grants for Native Americans in Montana

Tribal governments and Native-led organizations pursuing renewable energy and solar workforce development in Montana and other tribal communities can access funding for capacity building and new solar projects. Grants from GRID Alternatives help tribal communities across the U.S. plan, finance, and implement solar installations, education, and training that advance energy sovereignty and resilience.

Tribal language programs, schools, colleges, and community initiatives connected to Lewis and Clark Expedition tribes can seek up to US $20,000 for Native language documentation and revitalization. Focused on preserving Native American languages, Endangered Language Fund supports salaries, equipment, travel, and materials for education, recording elders, and training projects in Montana and other eligible areas.

American Indian and Alaska Native nursing students in Montana can apply for Montana State University's Alice Willman Cassidy Scholarship to support their degree in the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing. Preference is given to participants in the Caring for Our Own Program, with secondary consideration for those demonstrating financial need.

Nonprofits and community groups preserving traditional and folk arts in Montana can seek US $500 - US $2,000 to build awareness, involvement, and preservation of these art forms. The Montana Community Foundation’s William B. Pratt Endowment Fund also supports projects that share Montana’s arts, culture, and history, which may benefit Native American culture and heritage initiatives.

With a mission to support Native American culture and heritage, Creative West provides Montana Native artists and cultural practitioners with unrestricted funding and a three-month virtual cohort experience. Eligible individuals must be 18 or older, reside in the Creative West region, and receive US $2,500 to sustain their creative, cultural, and wellness practices.

American Indian undergraduate students from Montana high schools attending Montana State University can receive renewable support for college access and success. Montana State University’s Charlotte Yeoman Martin Scholarship helps Native students with financial need who have overcome adversity, with preference for first-generation college students pursuing higher education and persistence in Montana.

Nonprofits and community groups in Montana producing or presenting media arts projects can seek US $500 - US $2,000 to support storytelling about the state’s arts, culture, and history. With a mission to uplift these stories, Montana Community Foundation’s William B. Pratt Endowment Fund especially supports traditional and Native American cultural expressions in media arts.

Montana Native American tribes and tribal entities conducting health-related research can access funding through the National Institutes of Health’s Native American Research Centers for Health program. Eligible federally recognized AI/AN tribes, tribal colleges or universities, tribal health programs, and tribal organizations may receive support for research projects, career development, and research infrastructure across the U.S.

Native-led organizations and community-based initiatives in Montana strengthening indigenous nations can access funding through Vadon Foundation for language revitalization, MMIWG2S advocacy, innovative community leadership, and COVID-19-related food and essential needs. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal and other governments, colleges, universities, and health systems in the U.S. and Canada.

Native-serving organizations working on education, health, culture, environmental protection, or Native rights in Montana can seek support for programs assisting people in need. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation’s Community Fund prioritizes initiatives in health and wellness, Native arts and culture, environmental protection, and the advancement of Native rights and Tribal sovereignty across the U.S.

Montana Native American-serving governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek support for projects that strengthen tribal control over land and legal systems. Montana Native American organizations can access funding through Indian Land Tenure Foundation for estate planning and probate reform, land policy development, landowner associations, and initiatives improving the legal framework for owning and managing Indian land.

Tribal, local, and state governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Montana working with American Indian communities can apply for Indian Land Tenure Foundation’s Economic Opportunity grants to improve use and control of reservation lands. Funding supports projects that prioritize land acquisition strategies, create productive land use opportunities, and expand direct owner management for long-term community benefit.

American Indian and Alaska Native students in Montana pursuing certificate, undergraduate, or graduate study at accredited nonprofit U.S. colleges can access funding for their education through the American Indian College Fund; awards average US $2,000 - US $3,000. Grants from American Indian College Fund help Native American students with tuition and related academic costs nationwide.

American Indian and Alaska Native students at Tribal Colleges and Universities seeking scholarship support for certificate, undergraduate, or graduate study in the U.S., including Montana, can apply for this program. Grants from American Indian College Fund average US $2,000 - US $3,000 and use a single annual application to consider students for multiple scholarship opportunities.

American Indian and Alaska Native high school seniors in Montana planning full-time study at an accredited nonprofit college or Tribal College or University in the U.S. can receive merit-based scholarships for higher education. The American Indian College Fund awards US $2,000 - US $3,000 on average through a single annual application covering its full scholarship portfolio.

Native American organizations across the U.S. can apply for funding supporting education, health, housing, public safety, addiction treatment, the arts, environmental and natural resource preservation, cultural activities, and historic preservation. Focused on Native American services and culture, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians invite eligible groups, including those serving Montana communities, to seek charitable support.

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded by the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, supports future leaders in environmental, tribal public policy, and health care fields. With 55 scholarships of $7,000 each expected in 2025, this highly competitive program requires students to participate in their schools' internal competitions. Scholars benefit from networking opportunities and access to the Udall Alumni Network, fostering collaboration and growth in their respective fields.

Native Voices Rising (NVR) offers grants to empower Native-led grassroots organizations in the U.S. With over $16 million awarded since inception, NVR focuses on enhancing lives through collective action and advocacy. Eligible organizations must be Native-led and engage community members in policy improvement efforts. NVR supports initiatives addressing environmental justice, health, and youth involvement, with a commitment to fostering leadership and social change within Native communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting American Indian self-sufficiency, education, or cultural preservation across the U.S., including Montana, can seek project-specific funding ranging from US $10,000 - US $20,000. Focused on Native American services and culture, the Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation requires proposals within its charter and follow-up reports on funded projects.

The David Moses Bridges Scholarship honors the legacy of a renowned Passamaquoddy artist and activist, providing essential support for individuals dedicated to the preservation of Wabanaki culture, traditional arts, and environmental stewardship. This scholarship aims to foster connections between master artists and apprentices, promote research on David's impactful life and work, and protect culturally significant natural spaces. It empowers artists and scholars to continue the vital work of preserving indigenous knowledge and practices for future generations.

Native-led organizations in Montana working on cultural and ecological renewal rooted in connection to the Earth may be eligible for Kalliopeia Foundation support. Kalliopeia Foundation funds U.S.-based projects in land care and Indigenous leadership, prioritizing intergenerational initiatives, Indigenous sovereignty and culture, and land-based efforts that regenerate soil, soul, and community.

Udall Foundation

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships, and internships for study in fields related to the environment and to American Indians and Alaska Natives in fields related to health care and tribal public policy; provides funding to the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and to the Native Nations Institute to conduct environmental policy research, research on American Indian and Alaska Native health care issues and tribal public policy issues, and training; and provides assessment, mediation, training, and other related services through the John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution (National Center or NCECR).

Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III Native American Graduate Fellowship in Tribal Policy

The Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III Native American Graduate Fellowship in Tribal Policy (Native American Graduate Fellowship) recognizes outstanding Native American and Alaska Native graduate students who are currently pursuing advanced degrees in health care fields—including, but not limited to, health administration, health education, public health, medical practice, policy, research, or related-degrees—and who have demonstrated a commitment to Native health care. The Native American Graduate Fellowship Program honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III.

The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) aims to enhance research capacity at Tribal colleges, focusing on agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. By fostering leadership skills and knowledge, the program prepares students for competitive careers in agriculture and related fields. Projects involving innovative agricultural technologies, such as AI and data science, are encouraged. TCRGP also emphasizes training opportunities for undergraduate students to equip them for success in a digital society and explore pathways in AI for food and agricultural sciences.

The Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinator (ROSS-SC) Program for Fiscal Year 2026 aims to empower residents of Public and Indian Housing by addressing barriers to economic self-sufficiency. Through grant funding from HUD, Service Coordinators assess individual needs, linking residents to educational, professional, and health resources. This support enables participants to achieve financial stability and independence, facilitating their journey towards self-sufficiency and enhancing their quality of life.

Steven Thayer Hopi Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Steven Thayer to provide scholarship funding for young Hopi artists to develop their talents and artistic skill.

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Native American Graduate Fellowship supports graduate students at Montana State University who are enrolled members of a Montana tribe. This fellowship provides funding for one year, with the possibility of renewal for additional years based on eligibility criteria, including a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to applicants with departmental support for a graduate assistantship. This fellowship aims to enhance educational opportunities for Native American students.

The Charles Hamlin Scholarship, established by Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., supports professional nurses pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in nursing. Applicants must hold a current RN license and demonstrate a commitment to nursing leadership, particularly in orthopedic care and the well-being of Native American communities. The scholarship honors Dr. Charles Hamlin's legacy, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare and preventing burnout among healthcare professionals. This award aims to empower future nursing leaders and enhance diversity in the field.