Recreational Grant Programs
FWP administers six separate outdoor recreation grant programs to fill a multitude of
recreational needs. The key word in whether there is a chance for funding is "OUTDOOR." None of
these programs, with certain technical exceptions such as comfort stations and maintenance sheds,
fund indoor recreational facilities. Please check program details carefully.
If you need assistance with a grant application do not hesitate to call for help. We are here to
answer your questions and to advise you on how to make your grant application more competitive. See
specific grant programs for contact information.
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Land & Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF)
—The LWCF is a federal grants program for outdoor recreation. Those eligible for grants
include political subdivisions of the state and sovereign Indian nations (incorporated cities or
towns, counties, school districts, state agencies, and tribal governments). Examples of eligible
projects include ball fields, open space acquisitions, public parks, outdoor swimming pools,
playgrounds, picnic facilities, and walking trails.
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Montana Snowmobile Program
—This program, a state grants program for snowmobiling, is available to snowmobile clubs,
organizations, and public land-managing agencies, but not individuals. Examples of eligible
projects include grooming of snowmobile trails; groomer maintenance sheds, bridges, and signs; and
plowing of snowmobile trailhead parking lots.
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Motorboat Facility Program
—This program, a state grants program for motorboating, is available to any local
governmental entity (incorporated cities, towns, or counties). Eligible projects include only those
undertakings that directly benefit motorboat users, such as boat ramps, docks, latrines, access
roads, and boat-trailer parking areas.
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Off-Highway Vehicle Program
—This program, a state grants program for off-highway vehicle trails, is available to
public land managing agencies, private OHV clubs and other organizations, but not individuals.
Examples of eligible projects include maintenance of existing OHV trails, signing, ethics
education, noxious weed control adjacent to trails, enforcement, and route mapping.
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Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
—The RTP is a federal grants program for trails. Grants are available to federal, state,
and county agencies, sovereign Indian nations, private associations and clubs, but not individuals.
Examples of eligible projects include urban trail development near homes and work places, basic
front- and backcountry-trail maintenance, restoration of areas damaged by trail use, development of
trailside facilities, and educational and safety projects related to trails.
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Shooting Range Grant
Program
—The purpose of the program is to create a continuing program and mechanism to provide
funding through the department to private shooting clubs, private organizations, local governments,
and school districts for the establishment and improvement of a system of shooting ranges
throughout Montana.