Best Lewis and Clark County Grants for Nonprofits in Montana

Lewis and Clark County K–12 public schools seeking help with transportation and lodging to visit the Montana WILD Education Center in Helena can access funding through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. This reimbursement grant supports field trips featuring hands-on wildlife and conservation education, with awards varying for local and outlying schools based on distance and visit length.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on affordable housing, community revitalization, skilled trades, or clean water projects in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can apply for Ferguson’s Ferguson Cares Grant. Eligible applicants must be within Ferguson’s geographic footprint and based in the U.S., with projects fitting the program’s defined focus areas.

Nonprofit organizations in Lewis and Clark County working in education, health and human services, arts and culture, or community betterment can seek charitable support for local programs and needs. Focused on community growth and sustainability, Basin Electric Power Cooperative invites eligible groups within its nine-state service territory to request funding and, when applicable, benefit from member matching donations and surplus office equipment.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting children, youth, or hunger-related services in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can request monetary or in-kind dining certificate support. Focused on kids, hunger, and education, Brinker International invites eligible groups to apply online at least six weeks before their event; organizations may receive one donation per calendar year.

Lewis and Clark County 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through NorthWestern Energy for education, health and human services, civic projects, culture and arts, and resource conservation. Eligible organizations within the company’s service territory may request support for programs, equipment, or physical improvements rather than overhead, with local committees reviewing applications year-round and responses typically provided quarterly.

The Northern Great Plains Grant Program, initiated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife in the Northern Great Plains. With approximately $22 million available in grants for 2025, the program focuses on sustaining healthy populations of grassland-obligate species while promoting sustainable livelihoods and preserving cultural identities, including tribal cultures and food sovereignty. Key funding partners include multiple federal agencies and private organizations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Lewis and Clark County, Montana with technology access and digital literacy programs for families or seniors can apply for Spectrum Digital Education Grants of US $2,500 - US $50,000. Charter Communications supports existing programs in Spectrum markets that bridge the digital divide and can report clear impact metrics in low-income or multicultural communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting youth development and leadership in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can seek funding to enrich the lives of children and their families. Lithia Motors provides support through its Lithia 4-Kids Program, emphasizing local partnerships that help communities thrive where their dealerships operate.

501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on housing or financial literacy can apply for Union Home Foundation grants of more than US $1,000, including those serving Lewis and Clark County, Montana. Funding supports programs that help families achieve economic self-sufficiency, with applications accepted quarterly and limited to one successful award per organization each year.

Conservation districts in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can apply for Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation’s administrative grants; awards US $4,000 for basic operational costs and conservation work. Funding can support staff, insurance, office needs, equipment, on-the-ground projects, education, and assistance to landowners, with preference for districts demonstrating the greatest financial need.

Nonprofit organizations working with families in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can apply for Headwaters Foundation’s Family Power Fund Planning/New Partner Grants, with awards up to US $75,000 for family-centered health leadership, organizing, and storytelling. Eligible groups must serve parents, caregivers, and youth facing the greatest health barriers within the 15-county Western Montana region.

Great Plains Grassland Fund

The Great Plains Grassland Fund is a public-private grant fund that helps protect and sustainably manage the native grasslands of the Great Plains by pairing land protection strategies with technical and financial assistance for ranchers. The program aims to permanently conserve high-value grasslands at risk of conversion through easements and other durable land protection tools; support ranchers and communities with resources to improve grazing management, maintain working lands, and keep grasslands intact; and build a durable funding mechanism that leverages public and private capital, supports qualified implementation partners, and advances community-led conservation projects across the region.

Summary

The Fund will operate as a funding mechanism to facilitate capital aggregation and disbursement to strategically protect grasslands across the Great Plains. The primary objectives for this Fund include:

• Permanently protect land using conservation easements in areas with high conservation value, high conversion risk, and strong community buy-in
• Leverage technical and financial resources to improve grazing land management in and around the areas under protection status
• Engage local communities in identifying sites for protection and planning conservation and grazing land management
• Measure and report key progress indicators for conversion, biodiversity, water and rancher livelihoods

Nonprofit organizations building family leadership, advocacy, and community power in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can apply for project grants up to US $125,000. Headwaters Foundation supports family services and community development by funding efforts that center youth, parents, and caregivers facing the greatest health barriers across its 15-county Western Montana region.

Nonprofit and public entities planning outdoor recreation or river-access projects in the Missouri-Madison Project Area of Lewis and Clark County, Montana may be eligible for this grant. Grants from NorthWestern Energy help support recreation facilities and related management plans, with River Fund awards paired with annual NorthWestern Energy matching funds for approved projects.

Nonprofit organizations in Western Montana’s 15-county Headwaters service region, including Lewis and Clark County, Montana, can apply for Headwaters Foundation’s Family Power Fund general operating grants, with awards up to US $150,000, to support family leadership, health-focused advocacy, and storytelling that elevates parents, caregivers, and youth facing health barriers.

Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation provides Lewis and Clark County, Montana nonprofits and mycology groups with up to US $1,000 for Pacific Northwest-focused mycological research and education. Eligible projects include supplies, equipment, books, and educational events like forays and lectures, as long as they involve Pacific Northwest fungi or benefit the regional mycological community.

Nonprofits, governments, and educational institutions in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can seek funding to develop or expand residential septic maintenance and education programs, including cost-shares for inspections, pumping, and outreach. With a mission to protect water quality, Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation offers up to US $50,000 per project within Western Montana counties listed as eligible.

Mycology researchers, educators, and students in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can seek funding for mycological research and education projects, including equipment, supplies, travel, and conference expenses. The Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation, via the Stuntz Mycology Fund, awards more than US $1,000 for work focused on Pacific Northwest fungi, with priority for mushroom-forming species.

Local governments partnering with nonprofit organizations in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can seek funding for construction or rehabilitation of owner-occupied or rental housing that benefits low- to moderate-income households. With a mission to improve housing and living conditions, Montana Department of Commerce provides access to Community Development Block Grant Housing Stabilization Program funds for up to five years.

Lewis and Clark County mycology students, educators, and amateur mycologists can access funding through the Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation for research equipment, supplies, travel for fieldwork, conferences, and myco-education materials. Female graduate students in mycology planning teaching careers receive top priority, with awards ranging from US $1,000 - US $6,000 for work focused on Pacific Northwest fungi.

501(c)(3) nonprofits serving residents of Lewis and Clark County, Montana can apply for the Bill and Rosemary Gallagher Foundation’s US $3,300 - US $25,000 grants to support education, health care, youth, seniors, arts, and basic needs. Funding must exclusively benefit Western Montana communities in the foundation’s listed program areas.

Nonprofits, schools, tribal governments, and local government divisions in Lewis and Clark County, Montana can seek US $1,000 - US $10,000 for community, cultural, educational, environmental, health, and youth programs. BNSF Foundation provides U.S. organizations near its rail lines with support to improve quality of life, with preference for STEM, conservation, and basic needs projects.

The Edwin & Lanier File Ratcliff Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Beckley Area Foundation, supports students from southern West Virginia pursuing higher education. Established to alleviate college expenses, the scholarship targets deserving individuals committed to their academic goals. The Beckley Area Foundation, founded in 1985, connects donors and community partners to enhance local initiatives, focusing on education, health, and community development. This scholarship embodies the foundation's mission to inspire charitable giving and strengthen regional communities.

Volunteer Challenge Grants

Each year, CVS Health colleagues volunteer thousands of hours at nonprofit organizations in their communities. To help our colleagues lend even more support to the causes they care about, the CVS Health Foundation offers grants for volunteer service. Funded through the Foundation, our Volunteer Challenge Grant program supports nonprofit organizations where our colleagues donate their time, with grants ranging from $150 to $3,000. The more hours our colleagues give — starting with just 10 logged hours — the more support the nonprofit of their choice can receive from the Foundation.

Volunteer Challenge Grants are awarded on behalf of individuals who volunteer 10, 25 or 100 or more hours of service, to teams that volunteer more than 50 hours of service, and to both individuals and teams who fundraise for a charitable run, walk or ride event.

NCCF awards more than $530,000 in scholarships a year. Scholarships and awards are made possible by NCCF Funds, established by generous individuals and families. 

Valerie Rose Pinnette Memorial Scholarship Fund

Award Average:

• $1350

Established by Ed and Rosalie Pinnette in memory of their daughter, Valerie. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school student who resides in and attends school in NCCF's 20-town service area. Preference is given to students pursuing a degree in environmental sciences.

Kieth and Serena Cockrell Scholarship

This program was established in honor of long-time HBCU and UNCF supporters Kieth and Serena Cockrell, who are passionate about education and paving the way for future leaders. Eligible applicants must be permanent residents of North Carolina and a high school senior graduating from any public, private, or charter high school in Mecklenburg County, Union County, or Cabarrus County during this current Spring 2026 term.

Renewable Up to $30,000 Over a Four (4) Year Period. Up to $7,500 Per School Year.

Dr. John and Mary Martin Scholarship Fund

This fund was established to honor Dr. Martin and Mrs. Martin’s service as educators. The fund shall provide scholarship assistance to support the college-going ambitions of graduating seniors of Grandview High School who aspire to teaching careers in the field of pre-K through grade 12 education. Preference shall be given to students who are underrepresented in their area of focus within the education field; for example, males of color in pre-school or elementary school.

Award

• $1,000