Best Public Infrastructure Grants in Montana

Montana cities, towns, counties, and districts can apply for Montana Department of Commerce’s Montana Coal Endowment Program project grants, awarding US $500,000 - US $750,000 to lower the cost of public infrastructure construction. Funding supports drinking water, wastewater, storm sewer, solid waste, and bridge projects, including engineering, construction, and related project expenses in Montana.

Montana local governments needing urgent repairs to public infrastructure like water, sewer, solid waste systems, or bridges can seek emergency construction funding, typically up to US $30,000, in Montana. Focused on critical facility failures, Montana Department of Commerce supports projects addressing unforeseen conditions that threaten public health, safety, or create substantial financial risk.

Local governments in Montana can receive funding to construct or rehabilitate public and community facilities that primarily benefit low- to moderate-income residents, including public infrastructure projects. Montana Department of Commerce provides up to US $750,000 for projects such as water and wastewater improvements, senior centers, shelters, food banks, and similar community facilities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with $100,000+ budgets running workforce, youth development, or community accessibility programs in Montana can seek funding for skills training, inclusive prosperity, and net-zero transition projects. RBC Foundation USA provides support for initiatives like job readiness, housing and food security, and accessibility or sustainability upgrades to community spaces.

Montana public agencies planning major surface transportation infrastructure projects can access funding through the US Department of Transportation’s BUILD Grant Program, with awards up to US $25,000,000. Eligible sponsors include state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities for multi-modal projects with significant local or regional impact across the U.S. and territories.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes in Montana can seek funding to plan, design, engineer, and construct safer public bridge infrastructure. Focused on Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) bridges in poor condition, the Federal Highway Administration’s TTP Bridge Program supports replacement, rehabilitation, seismic retrofits, and safety countermeasures for BIA/Tribally and non-Tribally owned bridges.

Industrial and energy-focused organizations in Montana can access support for innovative industrial energy storage concepts that improve facility efficiency and reduce grid impacts. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize offers up to US $700,000 for thermal or electric storage solutions, including industrial cooling, high-temperature storage, and hybrid heating, cooling, and power applications.

Researchers and evaluation teams in Montana studying social programs and policies can apply for quasi-experimental design funding from Arnold Ventures to assess causal impacts. Grants support rigorous studies on areas like public infrastructure, higher education, workforce training, reproductive health, and public finance, which may benefit public infrastructure initiatives and related policy decisions.

Very small, financially distressed rural communities in Montana can seek funding to cover predevelopment planning for water and waste disposal infrastructure projects. Focused on rural public infrastructure, USDA: Rural Development invites eligible local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes to fund feasibility studies, preliminary design, engineering analysis, and technical assistance for proposed facilities improvements.

Universities, research institutions, and policy organizations in Montana examining transportation infrastructure policy can apply for Arnold Ventures’ Transportation Research and Policy funding, with awards up to US $200,000. With a mission to improve U.S. infrastructure systems, Arnold Ventures supports research, data, and policy reform projects on surface transportation and related modes nationwide.

State and local transportation agencies in Montana seeking to deploy advanced public infrastructure and transportation technologies can apply for up to US $12,000,000 to improve safety, mobility, and system performance. DOT Federal Highway Administration supports projects that enhance public transit, road safety, pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and overall congestion management.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA: Capital Improvement Grants

Any request to support a project that seeks to improve a facility is considered a capital improvement. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Range improvements
• Berm improvements
• Clubhouse/Classroom facility improvements
• Shelter structures/covered firing lines/pavilions
• Road improvements
• Commercial-grade trap machines (see section regarding trap machines, below)
• Any other permanent improvement to an organization’s property or facility

The Grant Program considers requests for certain trap machines to be a capital improvement to the facility. Specifically, requests for commercial grade trap machines that have a capacity of 300 clays and up.

The Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program (84.041C) offers $19M in funding to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to address urgent school facility needs. This initiative supports repairs, renovations, or replacements required to maintain safe educational environments. Grants cover projects that improve accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that facilities meet health standards. The program aims to enhance learning conditions by responding effectively to emergency situations.

About Boeing

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company

One of the largest employee-managed funds of its kind in the world, the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company has empowered employees to make a greater impact by pooling their tax-deductible donations for more than 60 years. Employee-led grantmaking committees at 20 Boeing sites provide combined employee donations to nonprofits in their communities through ECF grants.

Charitable or educational organizations can apply for grants from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company.

Puget Sound Chapter

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound is a pooled fund consisting of recurring payroll contributions from generous Boeing employees. It funds local nonprofits that help thousands of families and individuals in the Puget Sound region where Boeing employees live and work.

ECF focus areas

ECF makes grants to 501(c)(3) Health & Human Service nonprofits such as food banks, job-training programs, shelters, transitional housing, mental health services, and low-income medical clinics. ECF seeks the direct client benefit of each grant to ensure that our employees’ contributions directly help those in need.

ECF funding criteria

ECF has two distinct grant categories – Supporting Grants and Capital Campaign Grants.

ECF of Boeing Company: Puget Sound Chapter Supporting Grants

Consideration is given to nonprofits/agencies that are performing well and are seeking to upgrade, replace or modify elements of their infrastructure.

• Supporting grants cannot exceed $50,000. The requested amount cannot be more than 10% of an agency’s gross annual revenue.
• Supporting grants will be considered only for agencies benefiting residents in the Puget Sound Region.
• Supporting grants help agencies continue to effectively provide services through enhanced direct client benefit by aiding them in procuring and/or paying for items such as:
  • Equipment (ex. office, kitchen, industrial, furniture, etc.)
  • Vehicles used to support clients and/or transport food and/or goods (cost of vehicle and accommodations, tax, and licensing only; operating expenses, such as insurance, fuel, etc. is not allowed)
  • Phone systems
  • Cell phones for direct client use
  • Remodels and/or renovations (must hold at least a 10-year lease or own the building)
  • Purchase or construction of new buildings
  • Computers or tablets for direct client benefit and/or use
  • Software for direct client benefit and/or use (ex. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device)
  • Information Technology expenses, without which procured tools would not work
  • External improvements for client safety (i.e. security system, exterior lighting, improved ADA accessibility, new or refinished pavement or concrete)
• Supporting grants which are accepted must be spent as approved within nine (9) months.

The Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program, initiated by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), aims to enhance rural electric systems through substantial funding of approximately $175 million. This initiative focuses on increasing emission-free nuclear power and improving transmission infrastructure efficiency, promoting long-term reliability and affordability. Eligible entities include electric cooperatives serving rural areas and their subsidiaries. The program aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, thus fostering a sustainable energy future.

The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Formula Grants Program aims to support states and local governments in enhancing their DNA analysis capabilities. By providing funding for existing crime laboratories, this initiative seeks to increase the processing capacity for DNA samples, thereby reducing the backlog in forensic DNA analysis and ensuring timely entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

The FY 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program offers up to $100 million for airport traffic control tower projects. This initiative aims to support airports in modernizing and repairing aging infrastructure, ensuring safety and efficiency in air traffic management. Eligible projects may involve construction, rehabilitation, or installation of essential air traffic control equipment, enhancing the operational capabilities of the nation's airports.

Nonprofits, government entities, tribal organizations, and other Road to Zero Coalition members can seek US $50,000 - US $200,000 to advance community traffic safety projects in Montana and across the U.S. National Safety Council’s Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants support innovative, evidence-based strategies and research that improve public infrastructure, mobility safety, and access.

Local governments and community-based nonprofits in small to mid-sized Montana cities can apply for Smart Growth America’s Community Connectors grants, offering up to US $25,000 for temporary street safety pilot projects on dangerous or divisive arterial roads. Joint city–community teams receive a year of training, support, and a cohort experience to advance Complete Streets and reconnect neighborhoods.

Montana public infrastructure and community-focused 501(c)(3) charities, schools, libraries, and public agencies can seek support for projects that strengthen local facilities and services. SC Johnson Giving supports U.S.-based organizations, prioritizing communities where the company has major operations, across areas like public infrastructure, community development, health, education, sustainability, and environmental conservation.

Montana public infrastructure and community-focused 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants to support safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability projects; awards range from US $5,000 - US $30,000. Eligible programs must primarily serve communities on the Union Pacific service list and demonstrate strong need, impact, and DEI commitment.

The Ittleson Foundation Environmental Program Grants support innovative projects that enhance environmental activism through education and grassroots efforts. In 2025, grants will focus on initiatives that strengthen environmental movements and engage new constituencies, particularly in environmental equity. The Foundation has provided resources since 1932 to improve public policy and community welfare, alternating its grantmaking focus annually between mental health and environmental initiatives.

The Applied Materials Foundation offers grants focusing on education, arts and culture, civic engagement, the environment, and girls' empowerment. These grants are designed to meet local community needs and support innovative projects that enhance educational opportunities, promote cultural activities, and foster civic participation. The foundation prioritizes collaboration with local organizations in areas where Applied Materials operates, ensuring impactful contributions to community resilience and sustainability.

The Entergy Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on supporting initiatives that foster thriving communities through education, poverty solutions, and environmental programs. The foundation prioritizes funding for 501(c)(3) organizations and similar entities. Key areas include education development, innovative poverty solutions, and environmental restoration efforts, such as coastal wetland preservation. Organizations are encouraged to apply at least three months before funding is needed, ensuring timely support for impactful community projects.

The Fund for a Just Society Grant, offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association, supports nonprofit organizations that focus on social and economic justice through community organizing. This grant prioritizes innovative projects that seek systemic change and empower disenfranchised communities. Eligible organizations must operate with an annual budget under $500,000 and demonstrate a clear campaign for change. This funding aims to foster a more just society by addressing root causes and enhancing visibility for Unitarian Universalist principles.

The Emergent Fund Grant, established in 2016, supports BIPOC-led social justice movements through rapid response funding. It addresses urgent community needs by providing low-barrier grants to organizations facing crises such as family separation and systemic oppression. The fund prioritizes initiatives that foster Black liberation, multiracial solidarity, and empower communities to build transformative power. By investing in innovative strategies, the Emergent Fund aims to challenge oppressive structures and advance social justice, ensuring that impacted communities are at the forefront of their own advocacy.

The When Georgia Smiled Grant, established by the Robin McGraw Revelation and Dr. Phil Foundation, focuses on aiding victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The foundation prioritizes programs that provide shelter, education, and mental health services to ensure safe and fulfilling lives for affected individuals. Additionally, it supports initiatives for children and disaster relief, fostering community resilience and family reunification efforts. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations operating in the U.S. with a commitment to inclusivity.