Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks opens five grant application cycles on November 16, including the Recreational Trails Program ($1.5M), Montana Trails Stewardship Program ($2M), Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program ($200K), Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program ($300K), and Community Shooting Range Grant Program ($400K). Applications close January 15.
The Wild Sheep Foundation approved $2 million in Grant-In-Aid funding for fiscal year 2026-27, supporting 24 wild sheep conservation projects across North America, Europe, and Central Asia. The largest grant of $220,000 supports disease surveillance efforts in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada, with funding directed toward habitat management, water development, and population reestablishment.
The Michigan DNR, DTE Energy Foundation, and ReLeaf Michigan awarded $98,400 in grants to 27 communities to expand tree canopy and green infrastructure. Over 900 trees will be planted in public spaces during fall 2026 and spring 2027, marking the 30th year of this collaborative partnership.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology will award 12 federal Historic Preservation Fund grants totaling over $656,000 to communities and nonprofits for historic preservation and archaeology projects statewide. Projects include masonry repairs at Saints Casimir and Adalbert Parish in South Bend, the former St. Michael School in Cannelton, and cemetery structures in Terre Haute, plus archaeology work by Indiana University and Ball State University.
Whitetails Unlimited granted $292,815 to over 100 youth trap shooting organizations, with funds supporting 4-H shooting teams, USA Clay Target League, and Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) participants. Grants covered ammunition, clay targets, and travel expenses for regional and national competitions.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is accepting 2027 Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program grant applications through Dec. 31. The program supports projects protecting aquatic habitat and improving water quality, funded by boat registration fees. In 2026, LARE awarded over $2.7 million to 69 projects across Indiana.
Whitetails Unlimited awarded a $20,000 grant to the Southeastern Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) conference in New Orleans, supporting law enforcement collaboration among 16 southeastern states and anti-poaching efforts.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Future Fisheries Improvement Program is offering approximately $400,000 in grants with a November 15 deadline. The program funds projects that restore rivers, streams, and lakes to improve wild fish habitat on public or private property benefiting public fisheries.
SCI expands its Guide and Outfitter Grant program to support guide and outfitter associations globally through education, antipoaching initiatives, and public advocacy. SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin and President Jeff Meyer emphasized the vital partnership between guides, outfitters, and SCI in protecting hunting and wildlife conservation.
Whitetails Unlimited distributed $810,321 in grants during Q3 2026 across its four pillar programs: Outdoor Education, Hunting Preservation, Habitat Enhancement, and Shooting Sports Advancement. The Hunting Preservation program received the largest allocation to support increased hunting opportunities and outdoor experiences.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Economic Development Commission's Division of Rural Services are offering over $690,000 in conservation education grants to Arkansas schools, funded by hunting and fishing violation fines. Applications are due November 12 at www.arkansasedc.com/rural-services/division/grants/wildlife-education-grant.
Whitetails Unlimited issued $1,510,824 in grants through its Preserving their Hunting Tradition program to support hunting preservation initiatives. The organization focuses on increasing hunting opportunities and providing outdoor experiences to youth, veterans, and those with disabilities.
The Wild Sheep Foundation received a cash grant from the MidwayUSA Foundation to support its S.H.E.E.P. youth shooting sports and education program. The funding will help offset ammunition, targets, entry fees, and travel costs, enabling WSF to expand opportunities for young people to develop shooting skills and learn ethical hunting practices.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting applications for 2026 Land and Water Conservation Fund grants from cities, villages, and natural resources districts through October 30. The program offers up to $600,000 in reimbursable grants with a 50% match for outdoor recreation projects.
The Wild Sheep Foundation announced a $150,000 grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund for its Grant-In-Aid Program. Over eight years, the fund has contributed $926,000 to support wild sheep conservation initiatives across North America, including habitat restoration and disease surveillance projects.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded $892,200 in Fisheries Habitat Grants to ten conservation projects across the state. Funded by fishing license sales and state general funds, the grants support fish habitat conservation, dam removal, and restoration efforts through organizations including Michigan Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Rouge, and local conservation districts.
Whitetails Unlimited awarded $301,225 to mission-related projects in Missouri through 29 chapters, with most grants supporting the Preserving the Hunting Tradition Program, which increases hunting opportunities for youth, women, veterans, and those with disabilities.
Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation (AZSFWC) awarded $45,320 in grants from their L. Gary Stinson Grant Fund to nine Arizona non-profit organizations in Q3, supporting habitat conservation, education, and youth recruitment initiatives. Year-to-date 2026 grants total $250,745 to 19 organizations.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for its 2026 venison donation grant program, offering $25,000 total to assist with butchering and processing costs. Eligible organizations include county governments, municipal corporations, and 501(c)3 nonprofits. Applications are due by September 27, 2026.
The Maryland Environmental Trust, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is accepting applications for the Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program with approximately $349,000 available. The deadline is December 1, 2026, and awards will be announced in March 2027.