Best Transportation Grants in Montana

Local governments and community-based nonprofits in small to mid-sized U.S. cities, including Montana communities, can access up to US $25,000 to plan and deliver temporary street safety pilot projects. Smart Growth America’s Community Connectors program supports teams addressing dangerous or divisive arterial roads, with training, in-person convening, and a focus on reconnecting harmed neighborhoods.

Montana public agencies and other eligible transportation project sponsors can seek funding for major surface transportation infrastructure projects through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Administered by the US Department of Transportation, these competitive grants offer up to US $25,000,000 for projects with significant local or regional impact, including public transportation and mass transit systems.

Nonprofits and qualifying government entities serving Montana’s greater Big Sky region can seek Yellowstone Club Community Foundation support for transportation, livability, health, environment, arts, and education initiatives. Grants, including Catalyst Grants up to US $10,000, may fund new or expanded programs, capital projects, or capacity building, with most opportunities available by invitation after a letter of interest process.

Emergency and medical workers in Montana needing help affording behavioral health prescriptions, counseling, psychotherapy, or transportation may be eligible for grants up to US $2,000. Focused on behavioral health access, the HealthWell Foundation supports underinsured workers whose treatment occurs in the U.S., including costs tied to travel for appointments and related services.

Organizations planning community or transportation-related events, especially involving public transit or mass transit systems, may be eligible for sponsorships supporting highly visible projects, including in Montana. Tyson Foods welcomes proposals that align with its core values, clearly describe community benefits and visibility, and show how funding advances the organization’s primary mission and tax-deductible portion.

Individuals in the U.S. receiving cancer-related behavioral health treatment can receive up to US $2,000 from the HealthWell Foundation to help cover prescription copays, counseling, psychotherapy, and transportation costs. Patients in Montana may be eligible if they are underinsured, have qualifying insurance coverage, and meet the foundation’s income and diagnosis guidelines.

Professional elderly blues musicians needing emergency help with transportation, medical care, or basic living expenses can receive US $500 in assistance, including in Montana. Pinetop Perkins Foundation provides payments directly to creditors for services like rides to appointments, temporary home care, utilities, and burial costs for qualifying low-income artists aged 50 and older.

Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations in Wheatland County and nearby Central Montana counties can seek funding for educational, medical, essential services, civic, cultural, and transportation-related projects. Grants from Central Montana Foundation help Montana groups, including those improving public transportation and mass transit systems, through the Wheatland County Community Foundation’s annual rural community endowment program.

Nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations in good standing and located in Petroleum County, Montana can apply for Central Montana Foundation’s Petroleum County Endowment to support community projects, including public transportation and mass transit needs. Eligible projects must benefit educational, medical, essential services, civic, cultural, or related community services in Central Montana.

Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations in Central Montana supporting public transportation, essential services, or related community projects can apply for local funding. Central Montana Foundation provides Montana transportation and community service groups with support through its Moore Endowment, which meets as needs arise and prioritizes projects benefiting the most Central Montanans.

Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations in Judith Basin County, including Hobson, can seek up to US $3,000 for educational, medical, essential services, civic, cultural, and community projects that may include public transportation and transit needs. Central Montana Foundation’s Hobson Endowment committee reviews requests twice yearly for projects benefiting Central Montana residents.

Central Montana nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations in Fergus, Garfield, Judith Basin, Petroleum, and Wheatland Counties can access funding for public transportation and other community services projects. Central Montana Foundation supports educational, medical, essential services, civic, cultural, and recreational initiatives through rural community endowments such as the Grass Range Community Foundation Grant, reviewed on a quarterly basis or as needs arise.

Montana nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations located in Fergus, Garfield, Judith Basin, Petroleum, or Wheatland Counties can seek funding for projects that include public transportation and mass transit services. Local groups working on educational, medical, essential services, civic, cultural, or related transportation initiatives may be eligible through Central Montana Foundation’s rural community endowments, including the Denton Endowment.

Montana transportation and history-focused 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and government entities can access funding through the William G Pomeroy Foundation to install historic transportation markers at publicly accessible sites. Eligible projects commemorate pre-1945 canals, bridges, tunnels, railroads, or aircraft, with inscriptions backed by primary sources and significant to the wider community.

Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund help Montana transportation and mobility-focused nonprofits fund projects improving public transit, reducing congestion, and increasing transportation accessibility. U.S.-based organizations may also apply for support in environmental conservation, community safety, education access, and healthier communities, with awards of US $5,000 - US $10,000 for community impact initiatives.

Montana students majoring in transportation technology can access funding through the Eugene Frank Sommerlatte Endowment Fund for higher education expenses. Administered by Austin Community Foundation, this US $3,000 scholarship supports those with financial need, strong academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership and community involvement, and may benefit future public transportation and mass transit professionals.

Research institutions and public agencies in Montana working on transportation policy and infrastructure can seek up to US $200,000 for studies, data projects, or policy reforms improving U.S. transportation systems. With a mission to improve lives through evidence-based solutions, Arnold Ventures supports work on capital investment, cost control, mobility access, permitting, procurement, and related transportation governance issues.

Oregon Department of Forestry

Vision: Complex and resilient forest ecosystems that endure and adapt.

Mission: To protect and promote resilient forests that benefit all Oregonians.

US Dept. of Transportation Grant - Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to solicit applications for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants.

Funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 SS4A grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructural, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.

The SS4A Grant Program includes: 1) Planning and Demonstration Grants; and 2) Implementation Grants.

Planning and Demonstration Grants

Planning and Demonstration Grant Eligibility Requirements

Eligible activities for a Planning and Demonstration Grant include: develop a new Action Plan, conduct supplemental safety planning to update an existing Action Plan, or carry out safety demonstration activities to inform the development of or update to an Action Plan.

These activities may be bundled in any combination, provided that the requirements in this Notice are met. DOT encourages complementary but distinct activities, including but not limited to safety demonstration activities that will help inform the development of an Action Plan. Any applicant that meets the eligibility requirements may apply for a Planning and Demonstration Grant to develop an Action Plan. 

• Expected number of awards: 400 to 700

Oregon Department of Forestry

Vision: Complex and resilient forest ecosystems that endure and adapt.

Mission: To protect and promote resilient forests that benefit all Oregonians.

US Dept. of Transportation Grant - Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to solicit applications for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants.

Funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 SS4A grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructural, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.

The SS4A Grant Program includes: 1) Planning and Demonstration Grants; and 2) Implementation Grants.

Implementation Grants

Implementation Grants fund projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan that address roadway safety problems. Implementation Grants may also fund supplemental planning and demonstration activities, as well as project-level planning, design, and development activities for projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan (e.g., project-level 21 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, associated environmental review activities, permits and approvals, construction design, etc.). 

• Expected number of awards: 40 to 70

The ATTAIN Competitive Grant Program, overseen by the DOT Federal Highway Administration, aims to fund advanced transportation technologies that enhance safety, mobility, and efficiency. By prioritizing innovation and economic competitiveness, the program seeks to improve core infrastructure and reduce roadway congestion. Applications will be evaluated based on their potential benefits to families and communities, ensuring that funded projects align with the Trump Administration's objectives for revitalizing America's transportation systems.

AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation strengthens financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems.

AARP empowers people to choose how they live as they age. There are 125 million Americans who are 50 or older, and people want their money, health and happiness to last as long as they do. We are a wise friend and fierce defender, focusing on the priorities of older Americans.

Purpose Prize® from AARP

Honoring extraordinary people 50-plus who put their purpose into action.

Purpose is a powerful force for good. The Purpose Prize from AARP honors extraordinary older Americans who put their purpose into action to support AARP’s mission of empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Winners receive $75,000 and a year of organizational support from AARP to grow the impact of their nonprofits. Examples of organizational support include data and evaluation, governance and succession planning, fundraising strategy, and prospectus development.

Quest Diagnostics Foundation

Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Quest Diagnostics Foundation is committed to addressing the systemic root causes of health disparities. By combining corporate resources with trusted community leadership, we fund and scale evidence-based initiatives that promote wellness, prevent chronic disease, and empower individuals.

We focus our resources on three critical, interconnected clinical and social interventions to build sustainable health improvement:

• Strengthening the community health workforce
• Addressing social drivers of health (SDoH)
• Promoting the prevention, early detection, monitoring, and treatment of disease through diagnostic testing

About Quest for Healthy Communities Champions

The Quest for Healthy Communities Champion award was created to honor, uplift, and support outstanding organizations across the United States that are actively living our core purpose:

Working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time.

Whether you are expanding access to life-saving screenings, supporting maternal and family wellness, or addressing critical social drivers of health, your dedication is moving us closer to an equitable healthcare future. We want to recognize and celebrate your impact.

What we celebrate: Our core impact pillars

The Champions we look to honor are community-first organizations and coalitions tackling critical disparities head-on. We are especially excited to spotlight work that advances health, addresses social drivers of health, fosters community-clinical linkages and develops the community workforce. Examples of this work could include: 

• Programs actively dismantling clinical barriers to ensure every individual—regardless of zip code, background, or income—has access to high-quality care
• Innovators providing creative solutions for food security, transportation, health education, and maternal-child support networks
• Organizations bringing critical care directly to those in need through mobile clinics, community health workers, and localized diagnostic screenings
• Organizations finding creative ways to engage the communities they serve directly into the solutions they are delivering

The award: Selected organization champions will receive a $10,000 grant.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grant supports events that honor civil rights activist Ruby Bridges by encouraging students to walk to school and engage in discussions about activism, anti-racism, and anti-bullying. Grants of $500 or $1000 are available based on the number of students reached. This initiative aims to inspire positive changes within communities and promote meaningful dialogue among young people about social justice issues.

SITKA Ecosystem Grants support projects that enhance ecosystems and promote conservation efforts. These grants encourage both grassroots initiatives and larger organizational projects, aiming to improve habitat restoration, biodiversity, and the hunting experience. With funding ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, applicants must be 18 years or older and have relevant experience. The review process is ongoing, and projects should emphasize collaboration and measurable impacts on environmental goals, benefiting both society and ecosystems.

The Banfield Foundation's Disaster Relief Grants support nonprofit animal welfare organizations and government agencies affected by natural disasters. Since 2015, the foundation has provided resources to help pets in crisis, including medical supplies, food, and temporary shelter. Grants are also available for organizations assisting those impacted by disasters. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and directly help animals and their owners in the U.S., ensuring that pets receive the care they need during emergencies.

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to animal welfare in the U.S. It aims to maximize the benefit to animals through education, spay and neuter initiatives, and positive advocacy. The foundation focuses on impactful programs, encouraging grants that align with their mission to end animal overpopulation and cruelty. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while individuals and political lobbying efforts are excluded from funding.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services offers financial support for various community projects through its Company Giving program. Focused on four key areas—Health Care, Veterans' Support, Education, and Crisis Management—this initiative aims to enhance the well-being of local communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and civic groups, while organizations that primarily benefit their members or have high management overhead may be excluded. The program underscores J.B. Hunt's commitment to corporate social responsibility.