Montana FWP Accepting Applications for Community Pond Grants

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' Community Pond Grant Program has started accepting applications for next year.

Tell me about the program.

Well, it's a grant program, so it provides money for the chosen projects to be used for the purposes of said project, in this case, creating new public fishing ponds for Montana communities or improving existing ones.

This year, MT FWP says it has around $200,000 in grant money to be awarded.

What are the rules? It's never as simple as just submitting the application.

Like with just about any other grant program, there's a sizable amount of prep work that needs to have been done before applying.

The person or group applying for the grant needs to be working with someone from FWP.  Also, part of the application process involves submitting detailed plans for the proposed project as well as an itemized budget.

The applicants would also have to ensure public access to the project site and secure any necessary permits and certifications.

And there are further restrictions if your proposal is approved, such as:

• The grant money can't be the only source of funds for the project.  At least 30% of the costs must be covered by the applicant.  However, any donations of materials, equipment, and labor count towards that amount.
• The grant money can't be used to buy property.  The funds are for building, maintaining or improving public fishing spaces, and are be used only for those purposes.
• The applicants will be responsible for upkeep and maintenance.  Once everything is done, FWP is not going to take over caring for the project.  It's the responsibility of whoever applied for the funds.

To see examples of past projects completed with grants from this program, click here.

Applications are due by February 1st.  Late applications will be held until the following application period.