Best Grants for Solar Panels for Nonprofits in Montana

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations can receive McGraw Foundation support for education, human services, health, conservation, and cultural programs, with typical awards of US $2,000 - US $10,000. While grants generally focus on the greater Chicago area, Montana nonprofits working in similar fields may review these priorities to gauge fit.

Montana agricultural producers, non-industrial forest landowners, Tribes, and water management entities can access funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to implement conservation practices on working lands. These incentives from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Montana may benefit nonprofits managing farms, ranches, or forests that aim to improve soil, water, wildlife habitat, energy efficiency, or fire management.

Montana agricultural and forestry producers seeking to enhance conservation on working lands can access funding through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Montana to improve soil, water, wildlife habitat, and overall stewardship. Operations exploring renewable energy or efficiency alongside broader environmental conservation may be eligible if they meet CSP land, producer, and stewardship threshold requirements.

Graduate students conducting research in drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive US $3,000 through the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship from the American Water Works Association. Focused on water-related research, this award may benefit students whose work supports clean water, sustainability, or related needs for Montana communities and nonprofits.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities in Seeley Lake, Montana can receive up to US $3,000 for community projects, programs, or capital needs. Seeley Lake Community Foundation supports work in education, arts and culture, community development, natural resources and conservation, and basic human needs, which may include projects that incorporate solar or other energy improvements into local facilities.

Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, or community arts and culture may be eligible for the Community Possible Grant Program; funding can indirectly support energy or facility improvements. Grants from US Bancorp Foundation prioritize organizations in designated U.S. Bank communities and those advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nonprofit charities, public education institutions, and government entities working on community needs in Montana and other Weyerhaeuser communities can seek grants over US $1,000 for housing, education, environment, human services, culture, workforce development, and inclusion. Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund supports local projects, and some environmental or energy-related efforts may include solar or sustainability components.

Nonprofit organizations in Montana working to support women, children, and vulnerable families through humanitarian aid, education, or self-sufficiency programs can apply for funding from The Father's Table Foundation. The foundation provides up to US $750,000 for projects such as homelessness services, food security, microfinance, health care, and child welfare that build long-term resilience.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Montana and the broader Pacific Northwest can apply for Foster Foundation support to strengthen social services, education, health, and community engagement programs. Projects that meet basic human needs or enhance community well-being may be eligible, including nonprofits whose solar or energy upgrades directly support these priority services.

Cities, counties, tribal governments, and other public entities in Montana can apply for Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation’s Renewable Resource Project Grants, offering US $125,000 for renewable resource conservation, management, and development projects. Grants and loans can support feasibility studies, design, and construction, including water, wastewater, solid waste, and other green infrastructure projects that may incorporate solar or related improvements.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in Montana conducting small-scale biomedical research can receive up to US $375,000 to support projects and provide research experiences for undergraduates. The National Institutes of Health funds work in areas like public health, neuroscience, genetics, and HIV/AIDS; campus facilities seeking to integrate solar or energy upgrades into such research infrastructure may be eligible.

Montana conservation districts can use these grants in Montana for small-scale conservation and natural resource education projects. Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation provides US $1,000 - US $5,000 for activities like workshops, school field trips, youth or adult programs, and outreach that promote environmental education and support locally led conservation efforts.

Montana students conducting vertebrate research can access funding through the Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology to support fieldwork, equipment, travel, and supplies, with awards up to US $1,500. Undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students enrolled in accredited institutions and SNVB members may be eligible, which could indirectly support research-related energy or infrastructure needs.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in low- or middle-income countries can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award to support mentored clinical research careers. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Montana-connected and other LMIC health researchers secure approximately US $140,000 and three to five years of protected time toward independent funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt organizations in Montana can seek $10,000 - $50,000 to expand access to healthcare and prevent health inequities for marginalized communities. With a mission to advance health equity, PacificSource Foundation for Health Improvement supports direct and indirect health services, prevention efforts, and related capacity-building that may complement energy or facility upgrades like solar projects.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in eligible low- or middle-income countries can apply for approximately US $140,000 from the National Institutes of Health to support mentored health-related research and career development over three to five years. Montana-based nonprofits partnering with LMIC investigators on global health priorities may benefit through collaborative projects.

Focused on education, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust invites Montana nonprofits to apply for US $5,000 - US $20,000 to expand educational opportunities for youth and people facing economic or other disadvantages. Organizations may also be considered for related community, arts, environmental education, or youth initiatives that complement their solar or energy-focused projects.

Organizations planning health-related congresses, events, or initiatives in Montana can seek sponsorship to support program costs in exchange for marketing visibility and recognition. Biogen Foundation provides corporate sponsorships across areas like neurology, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and related diseases; nonprofits hosting solar or energy-focused events that address these topics may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations can seek general operating support for climate justice, regenerative agriculture, healthy food access, and pollution-free environments in Montana and beyond through the Clif Family Foundation Open Call, with awards of US $5,000 - US $50,000. Projects advancing sustainable energy or green economy efforts, including solar-related work, may be competitive.

Nonprofit and conservation organizations working on regenerative agriculture and habitat conservation in Montana can seek funding to provide technical assistance to private landowners. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports projects that help landowners plan, implement best practices, participate in Farm Bill conservation programs, and share lessons learned, with awards ranging from US $250,000 - US $750,000.

About the Montana Department of Commerce

Every day, staff at Commerce work alongside private industry and local organizations to create jobs, grow businesses, provide affordable housing and improve community infrastructure.

The economy of the Treasure State continues to grow and diversify. Studies rank Montana as the number one place in the country to start a business. Plus, our workforce has earned some of the highest rankings in both trade and technical skills by having one of the highest STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concentrations in the country.

Public and Community Facilities

Public and Community Facility Grants

Montana's CDBG Public and Community Facilities grants help local governments fund construction or rehabilitation of infrastructure and facilities that primarily benefit low- to moderate-income (LMI) Montanans, i.e. individuals earning less than 80% of the area median income. These projects can target LMI residents and provide direct benefits by improving or creating access to suitable living environments or necessary services, or these projects can provide an area-wide benefit to the entire community as long as at least 51% of the project’s beneficiaries are determined to be LMI. 

Certain projects such as senior centers, food banks, homeless shelters, youth homes, or head start centers are presumed to serve a limited clientele that is primarily LMI. Therefore, determining exactly what percent of project beneficiaries qualify as LMI is not required. Other projects, such as a wastewater improvements or water treatment improvements provide benefits to the entire community and are considered to have area-wide benefit because both LMI and non-LMI residents are served. Therefore, applicants must document at least 51% of the project’s beneficiaries qualify as LMI for projects considered to have an area-wide benefit.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

The High Stakes Foundation Grant supports transformative initiatives in Montana, focusing on civic engagement, climate change solutions, economic development, and social justice. By providing general operating support to 501(c)(3) organizations, the foundation aims to empower leaders and strengthen local communities. With an emphasis on sustainability and preserving public lands, this grant cultivates a vibrant, interconnected society committed to the health and prosperity of Montana. Organizations interested in applying must submit a letter of inquiry before the full proposal.

The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, provides financial support to students pursuing careers in natural resources. Applicants must reside in specific Illinois counties and plan to enroll in a full-time program related to fields such as ecology, hydrology, and conservation. Academic performance is a key consideration in the selection process. For more details, contact the Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund

The NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund supports the launch or expansion of clinical programs and new service areas that increase access to care for underserved patients. This funding is designed to help NAFC members introduce new services or grow existing programs that address unmet community health needs and improve access to comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Intermountain Community Care Foundation

Our mission: Helping people live the healthiest lives possible.

Intermountain Health is the largest nonprofit health system in the Intermountain West. We’re dedicated to creating healthier communities and helping our patients thrive.

Intermountain Health was established in 1975, but our legacy of compassion and care extends well beyond that, going back to the late 1800s and the early 1900s in Colorado and Utah respectively. We have since become a 60,000+ person strong nonprofit health system, with operations in six states across the interior West with a shared vision to be a model health system that inspires the future of health.

Intermountain Healthcare, SCL Health, and HealthCare Partners Nevada have now come together to serve communities in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.

Grants

The Intermountain Community Care Foundation awards grants to organizations whose programs align with Intermountain Health’s mission, our national community health areas of focus, and priorities identified through our Community Health Needs Assessment. By supporting evidence-based programs and services that strengthen communities, the Foundation is dedicated to helping people live the healthiest lives possible.

What We Fund

We provide grants to organizations whose programs align with Intermountain Health’s mission, our national community health areas of focus, and priorities identified through our Community Health Needs Assessment.

• Healthcare Access Grants
• Social Drivers of Health Grants
• Child & Family Mental Well-Being Grants
• Utah Education Innovation Grants

Child & Family Mental Well-Being Grants

To qualify for Child and Family Mental Well-Being funding, your program or service must focus on families with children. Funding priority areas include:

• Mental well-being for children, including: reducing suicide deaths; reducing frequent mental distress, anxiety, and depression; decreasing substance misuse
• Advance prevention and early intervention addressing risk and protective factors
• Expand comprehensive, family-centered, mental well-being programs
• Build trauma-informed systems for young children including evidence-based prevention, behavioral health treatment, or related interventions or programs
• Strengthen community behavioral health capacity and collaborations through coalition-building

Requirements

• A full and complete financial audit conducted within the last two years. Submission must include the entire audit, including any findings and the auditor's letter
• A copy of the organization's 501(c)(3) designation letter or a comparable government designation
• A completed W9
• A completed Supplier Form (a blank copy will be provided in the application)

Additional information

• In Utah and Idaho, applicants can request a total grant award between $5,000 to $100,000 per year for 3 years (up to $300,000 total) for the entire project period. Projects can last between 12 and 36 months and must begin upon receipt of funding.
• In Colorado, Montana, and Nevada, applicants can request a total grant award between $5,000 to $50,000 per year for 2 years (up to $100,000 total) for the entire project period. Projects can last between 12 and 36 months and must begin upon receipt of funding.
• A funding request may not exceed 20 percent of an organization’s annual operating budget, e.g., to be eligible for a $50,000 grant, your organization’s annual operating budget must be at least $250,000.
• In general, small equipment and materials are eligible at no more than a total $5,000 cost, but large equipment, construction, and capital costs are not eligible. Consideration will be given if computer equipment is necessary and vital to the success of the project.

The OECD Conference Sponsorship aims to enhance scientific knowledge and provide essential information to influence policy decisions on sustainable resource use in food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It supports international events that showcase innovative research and developments, inviting applications from scientists in these fields. The event sponsorship encourages collaboration among policymakers, industry, and academia, ensuring that research insights are effectively communicated and utilized in decision-making processes.