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Get Grant Ready Workshop & Pitch Fest (FREE)

Have a community project idea, but are not sure how to shape, explain, or prepare it for funding? We’ve created TWO free virtual opportunities designed to help rural Montana communities develop stronger, more fundable projects. 

Get Grant Ready Workshop

This is a FREE, on-hour virtual workshop that helps you turn a project idea into a clear, actionable plan and prepare it for grant funding using a practical project-development template — co-hosted by Outdoor Community Partners and the Heart of the Rockies Initiative. Get Grant Ready Workshop October 1, 2026. 

We’ll help you develop the key elements of an effective proposal: 

  • Defined project concept
  • Clear statement of need 
  • Outlined approach, activities, and timeline 
  • Defensible budget
  • Tangible impacts
Register Here

Project Pitch Fest

This is a FREE virtual coaching opportunity for selected rural Montana communities, offering one-on-one guidance and expert feedback to help individuals refine a project idea, strengthen their story, and prepare for funding.

Participants must represent a rural, underserved Montana community with a population under 5,000. Project should be focused on nature, outdoor recreation or a community initiative. Must be registered for and attend the Get Grant Ready Workshop.

If you’re ready to get to work, consider applying to join our Pitch Fest! Project Pitch Fest October 15, 2026.  Five qualified communities will be randomly selected to be part of this program at no cost! Applications are due September 21, 2026 (by 5:00 p.m. MST). 

If selected, you’ll:

  • Be a part of a community of peers to share ideas
  • Receive individualized one-on-one coaching with Outdoor Community Partners and Heart of the Rockies
  • Practice your project pitch with our advising experts to get feedback and suggestions

 

Important Dates: 

  • September 21, 2026 – Applications Due
  • October 1: Attend Get Grant Ready Workshop
  • October 5: Optional Meet & Greet Brainstorm Session
  • October 7-13: Two One-on-One Coaching Sessions
  • October 15: Project Pitch Fest with the Community Cohort and advising experts from 12:00–3:00 p.m. (MST)
 
Apply Here

"I'll definitely use this template for each project I work on that will need funding, whether I will be the grant applicant or not. Filling out the template as soon as I identify a project will help me keep on track for gathering partners, volunteers, matching funds, and applying for grants. Exactly the help I needed for better project management and grant writing.”

"The Get Grant Ready template is already providing benefits to our fundraising efforts in Clinton. We see this template being replicated for other trail and park projects — guiding how we define the importance of our capital/maintenance projects."

Co-hosted with

Heart of the Rockies Initiative

SPONSORED BY