Funding Opportunities

The Endowment offers two funding opportunities based on level of need and project scope.

Matthew Hansen “Clearing” Grants. Do you have a small project idea, or maybe a project you’ve been working on that needs an extra boost to get over the finish line? Perhaps you need support for a week or two in the field where you’ll wrap up your data collection, oral history interviews, or creative writing. Maybe your only obstacle is needing a digital recorder, gas money to interview that one living Montana legend, or funds for an intergenerational field trip to the Front Range of the Rockies. “Clearing” Grants fund projects of smaller scope, or parts of larger projects. Funding requests should be clearly tied to project expenses. Award size ranges from $500 to $3000.

Matthew Hansen Wilderness Inspiration Fellowship. Do you have a project you’ve been longing to do but simply couldn’t make time and space for? The Matthew Hansen Inspiration Fellowship is designed to provide support to fulfill your big dream. We want to help you complete that draft of your manuscript or that investigative report that doesn’t let you sleep or that place-based multimedia idea that keeps chasing you. Show us your big dream and let the Matthew Hansen Inspiration Fellowship open the way forward! Priority will be given to Inspiration Fellowship proposals with a durable outcome, such as a manuscript with clear plan for publication, an oral history project with a plan to archive the recordings, journalistic products, art or photography exhibitions, public performances or presentations, and other products. Award amount is $6500.

Application Procedures and Eligibility

The Endowment funds projects promoting the protection, enhancement, and understanding of wilderness, the value of conservation and preservation of wildlands, and the protection of our wilderness resource in Montana. The committee will consider the originality, feasibility, and relevancy to Montana's natural and cultural heritage. Priority will be given to original projects, however, if you are applying as part of your graduate work, for example, your application will be considered if it meets the endowment purpose. All projects must have a clear tie to wilderness and wildlands and proposals should clear explain how the proposed work meets the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility. The Endowment only makes awards to individual people. The Endowment does not make awards to government or non-government organizations, corporations, non-profits, religious organizations, or other institutions.

Only complete applications will be evaluated. Applications must contain:

“Clearing” Grant Application Requirements

1. A two-page proposal describing the project, what you hope to accomplish, how the project meets the purpose of the Matthew Hansen Endowment for Wilderness Studies, whom your project will benefit, and a project timeline.
2. A detailed budget, not to exceed $3000.
3. A resume or succinct curriculum vitae documenting your qualifications and experience, and any relevant creative scholarship, publications, or presentations. Students and early career applicants without a publication or creative scholarship record will be given full consideration and are encouraged to apply.
   
   

Wilderness Inspiration Fellowship Application Requirements

1. A description of the project in four-page proposal that answers the following questions:
   1. What is your project?
   2. How will your project advance the protection, enhancement, or understanding of wilderness or wildlands in Montana?
   3. What are the project outcomes or products and what is your plan for dissemination?
   4. How do you imagine your project enhancing or promoting wilderness five years after completion?
   5. Why do you need the support of MHE?
      
      
2. A resume or succinct curriculum vitae documenting your qualifications and experience, and any relevant creative scholarship, publications, or presentations. Students and early career applicants without a publication or creative scholarship record will be given full consideration and are encouraged to apply.

Application

Applications to the 2023 Matthew Hansen Endowment for Wilderness Studies grant cycle are being accepted. Proposals due April 19, 2024.

If you encounter technical issues during submission, you can email your application materials to Heidi Blair at heidi.blair@mso.umt.edu. 

For More Information Contact:

Andrew J. Larson
Director, Wilderness Institute
a.larson@umontana.edu 

To contribute funds to the Endowment please contact:

Montana Community Foundation
Matthew Hansen Endowment
P.O. Box 1145
Helena, MT 59624

406-443-8313; email: info@mtcf.org