February 2025 Resources
Each month LOR sends a curated list of funding opportunities and other resources relevant for small rural communities in the Mountain West. To receive a link to our monthly resources guide, drop us a line to connect@lorfoundation.org.
Funding Opportunities
February Deadlines
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Heritage Site Protection Program has issued an Outreach Of Interest to build partnerships for the protection and management of significant cultural resources on public lands. The initiative will promote co-stewardship between the USDA Forest Service and partners focused on historic preservation, helping to manage, preserve, and share cultural history for public enjoyment and professional purposes.
Deadline: Feb. 7
The National Park Trust’s Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program provides up to $1,000 to Title I pre-K–12 classrooms for in-park experiences. Grants cover program fees, transportation, supplies, and materials for student-driven projects that include stewardship and park-themed educational components in outdoor recreation and environmental science.
Deadline: Feb. 7
The Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Steward Program fosters youth development, recreation, service, and environmental responsibility while promoting healthy living and the importance of natural and cultural resources. The awards selected under this announcement are Master Cooperative Agreements. This opportunity aims to partner with national youth-serving organizations to enhance education, recreation, volunteering, and workforce initiatives while fostering lifelong engagement with the outdoors. Eligible applicants include state governments, school districts, Native American tribal organizations, local governments, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education.
Deadline: Feb. 8
Grants for Arts Projects (GAP), the National Endowment for the Arts’ largest grant program, offers project-based funding typically ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to strengthen the nation’s arts and culture ecosystem. The program supports initiatives that elevate artists and designers, celebrate creativity and cultural heritage, promote cross-sector collaborations, and advance health and well-being through arts and design projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local government units, and federally recognized tribal communities or tribes. Applicants must have at least three years of arts programming experience prior to the application deadline.
Deadline: Feb. 13
The National Women’s Mental Health and Substance Use Technical Assistance program provides $12.5 million to strengthen healthcare providers’ capacity to serve women nationwide. Eligible applicants include state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; tribal organizations; nonprofit community-based entities; and primary care and behavioral health organizations. The program focuses on addressing community behavioral health needs, particularly those exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency, across specialties such as obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, emergency services, crisis services, and primary care.
Deadline: Feb. 18
The Rural Health Network Development Planning Program supports the creation and development of rural integrated health care networks with $100,000 grants to enhance collaboration, expand local capacity, and improve care coordination in underserved communities. The program seeks to increase efficiency, improve access to and quality of health care services, and strengthen the rural health care system. It encourages the use of health information technology, exploration of alternative care delivery models, and the pursuit of quality care across the continuum, helping networks address local challenges and improve health outcomes in rural areas.
Deadline: Feb. 19
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Program will provide an estimated $51,470,00 over five years to approximately 85 grantees. This funding supports schools training health professions students in designated disciplines, enabling them to offer scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Eligible schools must demonstrate that at least 20% of their full-time students and graduates over the past three years are from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Deadline: Feb. 19
The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas funding opportunity offers $400 million in grants for rural and remote communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer. The program supports clean energy projects in rural or remote communities to lower energy costs, enhance resilience, increase economic opportunities, and reduce environmental impact. It focuses on replicable, climate-resilient solutions, promoting economic resilience, community leadership, and workforce development while building clean energy knowledge and self-reliance. Eligible entities include: Indian tribes, state and local governmental entities, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations.
Deadline: Feb. 27 (concept paper) Aug. 27 (application)
The Community Wildfire Defense Grant program allocated $200 million to support communities in the wildland urban interface (WUI) implement the goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, which include restoring landscapes to be resilient to fire, creating fire-adapted communities, and improving wildfire response. Eligible applicants include city or township governments, state governments, nonprofit organizations, Native American tribal governments, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and county governments.
Deadline: Feb. 28
The Funders Network, in collaboration with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, has opened the latest round of the Partners for Places grant program ranging from $45,000 to $150,000 supporting equitable sustainability projects by fostering partnerships between local government leaders, community groups, and funders in the U.S. and Canada. Grants with local foundations are required to provide at least 50% in matching funds. The program focus is on promoting racial equity, advancing sustainable practices, and addressing climate impacts in vulnerable communities. The program also offers coaching, peer learning, and resources such as the Partners for Places Idea Bank to help grantees deepen their knowledge and share insights from their projects.
Deadline: Feb. 28
The USDA High Energy Cost Grants program supports communities with exceptionally high energy costs by funding energy generation, transmission, and distribution improvements. Eligible projects include renewable energy initiatives (both on-grid and off-grid) and energy efficiency or conservation efforts in communities where residential energy expenditures exceed 275% of the national average.
Deadline: Feb. 28
March Deadlines and Beyond
The Brabson Family Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations for innovative arts, sciences, and education initiatives. Successful grant applications demonstrate novel or unique ideas and clearly define the problem and proposed solution.
Deadline: Mar. 1
The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Overdose Response provides one-year grants of up to $300,000 to address immediate substance use disorder needs in rural areas. The program supports prevention, treatment, recovery, capacity building, and services for special populations to reduce overdose risks. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions, nonprofits, for-profit businesses, tribal entities, and various government bodies.
Deadline: Mar. 1
The National Fund for Sacred Places, a program by Partners for Sacred Places and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, provides matching grants of $50,000 to $500,000 for capital projects at historic houses of worship. Funding supports urgent repairs, accessibility improvements, and converting underused spaces for community outreach. Eligible properties must be historic houses of worship owned by active, community-serving congregations with cultural or architectural significance or eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Applications from underrepresented communities or those highlighting unique aspects of American history are strongly encouraged.
Deadline: Mar. 3
The America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (FARE Fund) provides $60 million across five years to support innovative fresh food retail and food system projects in underserved areas. Funding includes grants, loans, and technical assistance for predevelopment, planning, and implementation, aiming to increase healthy food access and strengthen the food retail supply chain. Eligible applicants include for-profits, cooperatives, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and tribal and governmental entities (state, local, and tribal governments are not eligible for loans). Projects receive one-time capital investments to overcome initial barriers in underserved rural and urban regions.
Deadline: Mar. 3 and Aug. 4
USDA is offering approximately $40 million in funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program to support the purchase of equipment for distance learning and telemedicine, helping connect remote communities to education, training, and healthcare resources. Funding will help expand opportunities for students, teachers, and patients by providing access to classes, expertise, and specialized medical care from afar. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. USDA is particularly interested in projects that advance economic recovery, improve infrastructure, ensure equitable access to programs, and reduce climate pollution in rural communities.
Deadline: Mar. 6
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s Community-Based Archives Call for Proposals offers grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 over two years to support U.S. archives that preserve the histories of under-documented communities. Eligible nonprofits and federally recognized tribes may use funding for operations, collections care, or programming. Applicants must have an archive or initiative with an annual budget between $12,500 and $1 million.
Deadline: Mar. 12
The Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program (HTPCP) provides five-year grants of $75,000 per year to support community-based projects aimed at improving access to preventive health services for underserved children. Six awards will be made to applicants including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits businesses, governments, school districts, and tribal organizations.
Deadline: Mar. 17
The NPS Semiquincentennial Grant Program funds the preservation of cultural resources with grants ranging from $15,000 to $750,000. Supported by the Historic Preservation Fund, the program focuses on properties listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Grants are competitive, with priority given to state-owned properties. A non-Federal match is not required.
Deadline: Mar. 18
The U.S. Department of Justice’s STOP School Violence Program aims to increase school safety by funding a variety of strategies. Applicants are eligible for up to $2 million to improve school safety by implementing school-based behavioral threat assessments and/or intervention team training, technological solutions shown to increase school safety, and other school safety strategies that assist in preventing violence. School districts, institutes of higher education, state, county, city or township governments, tribal governments, and nonprofits are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Mar. 27
T-Mobile Hometown Grants will invest $25 million in 500 rural towns over 5 years to help upgrade tech at local libraries, build new hiking trails, revitalize historic buildings, and more. Proposals must include plans, budget, timeline, anticipated impact, and up to five letters of support. Elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with a population less than 50,000 can apply. Shovel-ready projects can apply for up to $50,000.
Deadline: Mar. 31
The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2025 Renew America’s Schools Prize will invest $90 million to help school districts implement energy upgrades, improve air quality, reduce energy costs, and lower emissions. Targeting disadvantaged and rural districts, the program will support HVAC improvements, lighting upgrades, renewable energy technologies, and alternative-fueled vehicles. In Phase 1, up to 14 teams will receive $300,000 prizes for developing eligible school portfolios. Selected winners will advance to Phases 2 and 3, where awards ranging from $7.5 to $15 million will fund large-scale energy improvement projects.
Deadline: Mar. 31
Approximately $750,000 in grants are available through the USDA Rural Business Development Grant program to provide technical assistance for enhancing rural transportation systems and connecting communities to economic resources. Eligible national organizations with expertise in training and technical assistance will support tribal, local, and regional governments, public transit agencies, and nonprofit and for-profit entities in rural areas. These grants prioritize advancing climate resilience, equitable access to USDA programs, and economic recovery through improved infrastructure and market opportunities.
Deadline: Apr. 7
The USDA’s Community Connect Program is offering up to $26 million in grants to build community-oriented high-speed internet networks in rural areas. These grants aim to foster economic growth and improve educational, healthcare, and public safety services. The program targets areas where broadband service is typically unavailable and can have a significant impact on quality of life and community development.
Deadline: Apr. 21
The National Endowment for the Arts’ Challenge America 2025 grant program offers $10,000 awards to organizations focusing on arts access for underserved communities with rich cultural contributions. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits.
Deadline: Apr. 25
The Banfield Foundation’s Community Care Grants support nonprofit organizations and government agencies that provide veterinary care to pets through on-site, mobile, or pop-up clinics. Grants, typically ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, fund medical supplies, equipment, and resources to deliver affordable veterinary care.
Deadline: Apr. 30
The USDA Rural Development Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP) provides $220 million in loan guarantees to support wood processing facilities, sawmills, and paper mills utilizing wood from National Forest System and Tribal lands. The program aims to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risks, and combat insect and disease damage while fostering rural business growth. Loans of up to $25 million are available for establishing, reopening, retrofitting, or expanding facilities, aligning with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
Deadline: Rolling
The American Heart Association (AHA) offers grants of up to $5,000 for food banks and pantries to fund environmental upgrades such as refrigerators, freezers, or ordering systems, enabling better procurement and distribution of fruits and vegetables. AHA also provides guidance on creating nutrition and culturally relevant documents to support health equity. For more information reach out to Cherish Hart at (cherish.hart@heart.org) for more details.
Deadline: Rolling
State-Specific Funding Opportunities
Colorado The third phase of Opportunity Now Colorado is accepting applications. The program will award up to seven $1 million grants: three for sectors such as infrastructure, health care, education, and early childhood education, and four for behavioral health. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to place individuals into jobs by the grant end period, with outcomes expected by June 2026 for behavioral health grants and October 2026 for other sectors.
Deadlines: Feb. 7
Colorado The Rural Catalyst Grant Program provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support organizations in rural Colorado by enhancing their capacity for strategic planning, stakeholder convening, short-term staffing or contracting, and one-time operating costs. Eligible projects focus on key issues, including affordable housing, childcare, mental health, rural placemaking, immigrant and refugee support, water management, and inter-community collaboration.
Deadline: Mar. 14
Colorado El Pomar Foundation supports Colorado-based nonprofits and government entities with grants for general operations, programs, and capital projects. While funding spans various needs, the foundation primarily focuses on arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, health, and human services. Additional support targets areas like animal welfare, equine programs, emergency aid for volunteer firefighters and first responders, and projects in the Pikes Peak region.
Deadline: Rolling
Idaho The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is offering grants that will help secondary schools across Idaho start or expand health professions programs. These programs will help train students who eventually will bolster the state’s healthcare workforce. School districts and/or high schools can receive funding up to $50,000 to help start or expand health professions programming. Funds can be used for items such as equipment, supplies, and/or staffing. Idaho public secondary schools or accredited public charter schools are eligible to apply for funding.
Deadline: Feb. 27
Idaho The Idaho Future Fund offers grants of $10,000 to $20,000 to address critical gaps in educational programs for Idaho students from preschool through 12th grade. Focus areas include preschool scholarships, charter schools, public schools and libraries, and supplemental educational programs.
Deadline: Mar. 1
Montana The Montana Office of Rural Health and AHEC has opened Tier 2 of the Community Health Support Workforce Training Program, offering fully funded online courses for Community Health Workers in rural communities. Participants can earn certificates in a variety of fields (Medical Assistant, Mental Health Technician, and Medical Coding & Billing) with training costs covered and a $1,000 stipend provided upon completion. This program supports professional advancement while addressing critical health and workforce needs in underserved areas.
Deadline: Rolling
Montana The Montana Healthcare Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2025 Call for Proposals, offering grants to organizations addressing health challenges. Funding is available for planning projects (up to $50,000 for one year) and implementation projects (up to $100,000 for two years). An overview webinar will be held on February 12 at 1 p.m. for potential applicants and registration is required.
Deadline: Mar. 14
Montana The Montana Department of Agriculture’s Business Acceleration and Marketing (BAM) Program offers grants of up to $20,000 to support businesses in expansion and market development. Funding aids businesses in accessing new markets, overcoming barriers, expanding e-commerce, accelerating product commercialization, and minimizing startup time to profitability. Applications are accepted quarterly on a first-come, first-served basis, with a 50% cost-share requirement over a one-year grant period.
New Mexico The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) in New Mexico has announced the PINON Grant program, offering between $25,000 and $500,000 for digital equity programs. Eligible entities include governments, community organizations, and educational institutions, with funds designated for activities like digital skills training, device distribution, and technical support. Priority will be given to programs benefiting underserved populations, including low-income households, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
Deadline: Mar. 21
Resources
The USDA Rural Development Better Grants Better Service: Streamlines USDA Rural Development’s grant programs and improves the overall customer experience for applicants and recipients.
STEPS: Tailored Public Sector Support: The STEPS program provides tailored support to towns, cities, counties, tribes, and public K-12 school districts for circular economy projects, offering assistance from basic guidance to complex technical help in areas like planning, policy, and community engagement. Communities can request office hours to discuss their projects and determine the level of support needed.
The NM Catalog of Local Assistance Programs connects local entities with state and federal programs in New Mexico, helping match their needs and goals with available resources. Developed by the Grant Plant, the catalog serves as a guide to funding opportunities.
The Colorado Broadband Office opened a new application window for the Broadband Ready Certified Community designation on December 18, 2024. This designation recognizes communities that actively support broadband infrastructure deployment, such as by forming broadband task forces or establishing budgets and timelines.
Deadline: Feb. 20
The USDA and DOE have launched the Solar Energy & Farming Initiatives website to support farmers and rural communities in adopting clean energy. Guided by stakeholder feedback from early 2024 listening sessions, the site provides a one-stop resource for farmland conservation, agrivoltaics, and clean energy adoption. It offers tools and programs to help lower costs, increase income, align federal funding, and promote economic opportunities in rural areas through renewable energy projects.
New NEA Resource for Disaster Readiness and Recovery: The NEA has launched a new online resource for arts and culture organizations and artists focused on disaster preparedness and recovery. Located in the Impact section of their website, the page features an expanding list of resources, details on NEA’s past disaster support efforts, and inspiring stories of resilience from artists and culture bearers.
The Western Governors’ Leadership Institute recognizes and promotes young adult leadership across the West. Each year, the foundation selects delegates from states, territories, and tribes to attend a leadership forum, engage in discussions with Governors and other leaders, and participate in the Western Governors’ Association Annual Meeting. All expenses for delegates’ participation are covered by the foundation.
Deadline: Feb. 7
Public Searchable Map Database: The USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Telecommunications Program has launched a new Public Searchable Map Database. This resource allows the public to search and access information on retail broadband projects in the U.S., its territories, and COFA sovereign states, that have received or sought assistance through the RUS Telecommunications Program.
The 2024 Wyoming Specialty Crop Directory features nearly 1,100 listings, showcasing producers and their specialty crops and products, such as fresh vegetables, honey, homemade goods, hard cider, wine, and more. It also includes listings for farmers’ markets, businesses selling local products, gardens, county fairs, and agriculture-related organizations. Funded by the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, the directory aims to support the local food movement in Wyoming.