National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Grant

Funder: Heart of the Rockies Initiative (MT, US) in partnership with NFWF

Geographic Scope: Montana (generally within occupied grizzly bear and wolf territory)

Focus Areas:

• Range riding
• Livestock carcass management and pickup/removal
• Electric fencing
• Community outreach and education
• Bear-resistant garbage services and infrastructure
• Electric fencing to secure community attractants
• Bear-resistant ranch and residential containers
• Community refuse facilities for secure waste storage
• Livestock carcass composting sites (in conjunction with removal)
• Multi-strand electrified wire and drive-over electric mats

Specific Funding Coverage:

• Bear-resistant containers: Funding for bear-resistant ranch and residential containers and community refuse facilities that securely store waste and prevent bears from learning to use human-related food sources
• Carcass management: Organized and timely pickup of deceased livestock to remove attractants; composting sites to further eliminate attractants
• Electric fencing: Adoption of multi-strand electrified wire and drive-over electric mats to deter bears from calving yards, apiaries, chickens, other small livestock, stored grain and crops
• Range riding: Deployment of range riders to provide human presence, vigilant livestock and carnivore monitoring, monitor livestock health, manage herd movements, and support early detection of carcasses

Eligibility:

• Tribes
• Community/watershed groups
• Organizations and groups responsible for implementing carnivore conflict prevention activities
• Any groups or individuals responsible for implementing carnivore conflict prevention activities
• Best fit for community groups and organizations aiming to implement conflict prevention programs or Bear Smart and bear-resistant garbage initiatives
• Agricultural producers and landowners eligible but RCPP may be better fit for individuals

What is NOT funded:

• Guard dogs (not appropriate for community-scale projects)
• Activities not focused on grizzly bear conflict prevention
• Maintenance costs (only adoption and expansion of conflict prevention practices)

Key Details:

• Funds specifically intended to support grizzly bear conflict prevention activities
• All projects and activities covered under contracts with Heart of the Rockies Initiative
• Initial contracts began in November 2024 for existing program partners
• Subsequent applications accepted on rolling basis with proposals evaluated quarterly
• Schedule may adjust based on volume of proposals and remaining funds
• No limit on funding amounts that can be requested
• Matching funds required; however, foundation recognizes difficulty in securing matching funds and encourages contact to discuss options
• Minimum of 10% matching funds ideally brought to project

Evaluation Criteria:

• Demonstrate clear need(s)
• Include specific budget request
• Identify other project partners and roles/responsibilities for implementation and project tracking
• Ideally bring at least 10% in matching funds
• Identify organization, nonprofit, or other entity that can enter into contract with Heart of the Rockies Initiative for fund delivery
• Proposals ranked based on potential impact on preventing carnivore conflicts
• Evaluated by committee composed of NGO and agency partners

How to Apply for NFWF Grant

1. Initial Contact (Recommended):
   • Before applying, identify your overall conflict prevention needs
   • Contact Heart of the Rockies Initiative to explore strategies
   • Email: grantinquiry@heart-of-rockies.org with preferred contact information and any other information you'd like to include
   • Steve Primm (Project Manager) will contact you to discuss your situation and needs
   • Phone: 406-282-1418
2. Application Process:
   • Submit formal proposals on rolling basis
   • Proposals will be evaluated quarterly
   • Schedule may adjust based on volume of proposals and remaining funds
   • Applications accepted following initial contract period (began November 2024)
3. Required Materials/Information:
   • Clear demonstration of carnivore conflict prevention need(s)
   • Specific budget request (no limit on amount requestable)
   • Identification of other project partners with roles and responsibilities for implementation and project tracking
   • Documentation of matching funds (minimum 10% ideally; discuss options if difficult to secure)
   • Identification of organization, nonprofit, or other entity that can enter into contract with Heart of the Rockies Initiative for fund delivery
4. Evaluation Process:
   • Proposals evaluated by committee composed of NGO and agency partners supporting similar work in communities across Montana
   • Ranked based on potential impact on preventing carnivore conflicts
   • Successful proposals demonstrate clear need(s), specific budget, partner roles, matching funds, and contractual capacity
5. Contract and Implementation:
   • Approved applicants enter into contract with Heart of the Rockies Initiative
   • Ensures timely reimbursements for project costs
   • Maintenance costs are responsibility of project participants