Program/Project Grants (formerly Special Projects)

The Cinnabar Foundation provides Program/Project Grants aimed at enhancing conservation efforts in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These grants, ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, support organizations that engage in impactful, grassroots conservation work. Priority is given to projects that align with the Foundation's strategic vision, including climate adaptation, wildlife habitat conservation, public land preservation, and improving air and water quality. Successful applicants will demonstrate measurable outcomes and community engagement.

Definition and Purpose
The Cinnabar Foundation supports organizations that effectively conserve, preserve and restore the natural environment in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Program/Project Grants provide funding that enables an organization to carry out a specific project, program or campaign.
Priority for Program/Project Grants will be given to projects that align with the Cinnabar Foundation's priorities and advance the Foundation's strategic vision and conservation goals.
2026 Conservation Focus
The Cinnabar Foundation seeks to support impactful, community-rooted, and power-building conservation work across Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). In 2026, Cinnabar will fund environmental organizations that not only deliver solid on-the-ground outcomes but also organize, advocate, and build durable conservation power—the kind that moves the needle in communities of all sizes across Montana and the GYE. We are looking for organizations that cultivate and uphold conservation ethics and achieve real, measurable results.
Within this spirit of innovation and impact, Cinnabar invests in the following Funding Priorities and Program Areas:

• 2026 Program Areas
• Adapt to a Changing Environment

Conserve Wildlife and Wildlands
Protect wildlife habitat and migration corridorsConserve strategic open space and agricultural practices lands that benefit wildlife in coordination with private landowners
Restore Air and Water Quality and Fisheries
Protect, restore and advocate on behalf of clean air, water and fisheriesSupport citizen science and field work restoration programs
Applications will be accepted in any of these four program areas as long as they are focused on one or more of the bulleted criteria.
2026 Funding Priorities
Build environmental power through advocacy by mobilizing an informed constituency and raising awareness to drive action on local, state, and regional issuesExpand knowledge through scientific research and data collecting to find and implement solutions to environmental and conservation challenges (includes citizen science)Conserve strategic open space and agricultural lands that sustain wildlife habitat, migration corridors, and traditional rural qualities of life for peopleProtect public lands and advance critical wilderness projects
Funding Amounts
Applicants seeking Program/Project support are advised that grant amounts will range from $2,500 - $15,000, and not exceed 50% of the total project budget, whichever is less. Please note that Cinnabar rarely funds more than 25% of total program/project expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must be established, well managed 501(c)(3) organizations — or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent. If the latter, a letter from the fiscal agent confirming sponsorship of the project and 501(c)(3) status must accompany the application.Applicants must operate effective programs that serve Montana or the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.Organizations are not required to match Cinnabar funding. However, you are welcome to use this funding and the Cinnabar Foundation name in order to leverage further funding for your organization or program/project.Special Eligibility Requirements for multi-year grantsThe Cinnabar Foundation will only accept multi-year grant applications for a specific program, project or campaign that will take more than one-year to complete and requires a multi-year funding commitment in order to be viable. Examples include — but are not limited to — a land acquisition or conservation easement project requiring more than one-year to consummate, a project with distinct multi-year phases, or a multi-year campaign to achieve an identifiable goal. Applications for multi-year funding will be accepted after staff approval only.

Ineligibility

Cinnabar grant funds may not be used for: Projects occurring wholly or partially outside of Montana or the Greater Yellowstone EcosystemLobbying — attempting to influence legislation within the meaning of Section 4945(e) of the Internal Revenue Code; orPolitical campaigns on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public officeProjects where private benefits outweigh public benefitsAnd while every Special Project application will be considered on its own merits, the Cinnabar Foundation rarely funds the following types of projects:Art ProjectsCapital Improvement (building construction, remodeling, etc.)Community Gardens and GreenhousesCommunity Trail Building and SignageEquipment PurchasesExhibits/ExhibitionsFilm Production, Brochure Publication, or Website Creation — unless the product is part of an overall campaign, or there is a defined marketing or distribution plan for the productFarm-to-Table ProjectsGraduate Student or Individual ResearchK-12 education and community-based ecology and conservation programs that are not embedded in the applying organization’s broader conservation workRepetitive Funding for Recurring Annual Meetings and SymposiaSmall Scale Vegetation Management or Noxious Weed Projects — unless it is part of a larger effort to build community support for conservation actionScholarshipsYouth Summer Camps and Camper Scholarships