February 2026 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 and Beyond

Bolger Foundation Grants
The Bolger Foundation offers capital project grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 for nonprofit facilities that advance community benefit, underserved populations, conservation and preservation, health, and education.
Deadline: February 1, September 1

Drug-Free Communities Support Program
The Centers for Disease Control provides funding of up to $125,000 per year to support community-based coalitions working to reduce youth substance use through collaboration, risk reduction, and other mechanisms.
Deadline: February 12

Nuestra Herencia Grant Program
The Latinos In Heritage Conservation awards funding from a $600,000 annual pool to grassroots, Latinx-led nonprofits and community groups preserving and uplifting Latinx history, culture, and historic sites through community-centered projects.
Deadline: February 13

CTIA Wireless Foundation Catalyst Awards
The 2026 Catalyst Awards offer unrestricted grants totaling more than $200,000 to early-stage social entrepreneurs using wireless technology to address community challenges.
Deadline: February 24

Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program
With $1.5 billion available nationwide, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s BUILD Program provides between $1 million and $25 million grants for transportation infrastructure projects that improve safety, mobility, sustainability, and economic competitiveness.
Deadline: February 24

Mott Million Dollar Challenge
Open to U.S. students entering solo or in teams of up to three, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation challenge offers a $1 million total prize pool for kids and teens in grades K–12 to pitch original ideas via a short video.
Deadline: February 27

Clif Family Foundation Open Call
The Open Call grants offers one-year general operating grants between $5,000 and $50,000 to grassroots nonprofits advancing regenerative farming, food worker safety, climate justice, healthy food access, inclusive outdoor access, and pollution prevention.
Deadlines: March 1 and August 1

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors
The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers grants between $2,500 and $15,000 to support the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of designated historic interiors through planning, education, and interior construction.
Deadline: March 2

Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation grants
The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides grants between $2,500 and $15,000 to support planning, education, and preservation projects that protect historic sites, structures, and cultural landscapes.
Deadline: March 2

YouthBuild
YouthBuild grants from the U.S. Department of Labor provide funding to nonprofits, tribal entities, and local governments to train youth ages 16 to 24 in construction and other in-demand careers while building affordable housing.
Deadline: March 2

Environmental Education Grant Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awards $200,000–$250,000 to support locally focused environmental education projects that build environmental stewardship and decision-making skills.
Deadline: March 3

National Fund for Sacred Places Grants
National Fund for Sacred Places grants provide between $50,000 and $250,000 to community-serving congregations that own historic houses of worship, supporting urgent preservation projects through capital funding and technical assistance. Applicants must secure a required matching fund (1:1 or 2:1 depending on grant size).
Deadline: March 3

AARP Community Challenge
Community Challenge grants support quick-action projects that improve public spaces and livability for residents age 50 and older. Funding helps nonprofits and local governments implement tangible community improvements.
Deadline: March 4

NFL Foundation Grassroots Program
The NFL Foundation provides up to $250,000 to nonprofits and schools to build or rehabilitate football fields that improve safety, accessibility, and community recreation in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
Deadline: March 30

Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Grants
The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative supports projects that protect, improve, expand, or maintain safe and sustainable motorized off-road vehicle access on public and community lands.
Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 15

Firehouse Subs First Responder Grants
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation offers ongoing grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 to first responder and public safety organizations nationwide to purchase life-saving equipment, support training, education, and disaster response.
Deadlines: April 2, July 9

Vilcek Foundation Grants
Vilcek Foundation Grants will award a total of $200,000 in 2026 to immigrant-focused nonprofits working in the arts, sciences, education, or social services through innovative, mission-driven programs.
Deadline: April 30

Grants For Arts Projects
The National Endowment for the Arts  provides between $10,000 and $100,000 to support high-quality arts projects across disciplines including education, performance, and heritage.
Deadline: July 9

State-Specific Funding Opportunities

Leopold Writing Contest
Eligible State(s): New Mexico
The Aldo Leopold Writing Contest offers New Mexico middle and high school students the opportunity to earn cash awards of up to $500 for original essays that reflect on lessons learned from the natural world, inspired by the writings of Aldo Leopold and Joy Harjo.
Deadline: February 13

Supporting Coloradans in Recovery Grants
Eligible State(s): Colorado
The Colorado Health Foundation provides up to $150,000 over two years for nonclinical, peer-led programs that support adults in substance use recovery through employment, education, and community connection.
Deadlines: February 15, June 15, and October 15.

Developing Agency, Identity, and Belonging in Young People Grants
Eligible State(s): Colorado
The Colorado Health Foundation offers up to $250,000 over two years for youth-led programs that create safe, community-based spaces where K–12 youth build identity, agency, and belonging.
Deadline(s): February 15, June 15, and October 15.

Equitable Community-Designed Outdoor Spaces
Eligible State(s): Colorado
The Colorado Health Foundation provides between $25,000 and $50,000 planning grants to nonprofits, local governments, or fiscally sponsored groups to co-design inclusive outdoor spaces with community members.
Deadlines: February 15, June 15, and October 15.

Activate Rural Learning Lab Competition
Eligible State(s): Montana
The nonprofit Department of Public Transformation offers a $50,000 grant plus two years of technical assistance to rural teams in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota creating creative community gathering spaces in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents.
Deadline: February 26

Business Development & Expansion Grant
Eligible State(s): New Mexico
Business Development and Expansion Grants provide up to $25,000 to existing for-profit creative businesses with at least three years of operations to support inventory, equipment, marketing, technology, and small infrastructure improvements.
Deadline: February 27, 2026

Cooperative Marketing & Advertising Grant
Eligible State(s): New Mexico
The New Mexico Tourism Department offers a 2:1 match to nonprofits and local or tribal governments for advertising projects that drive out-of-state travel by promoting New Mexico’s arts, culture, cuisine, and outdoor adventure.
Deadline: February 27

Montana Healthcare Foundation Grants
Eligible State(s): Montana
Montana Healthcare Foundation offers grants between $10,000 and $50,000 for one-year projects and up to $100,000 for two-year projects to Montana-based organizations piloting innovative, community-driven solutions to critical health challenges.
Deadline: March 31

Community Engagement Grant
Eligible State(s): Montana
The Montana Public Health Institute provides up to $1,500 to local and tribal health departments in Montana to support community engagement activities such as meetings, outreach, incentives, and partnerships that strengthen public health efforts.
Deadline: June 6, 2026

Tourism Event Growth & Sustainability Program
Eligible State(s): New Mexico
New Mexico True offers up to $50,000 plus technical assistance and marketing support for tourism events that drive overnight travel and align with the New Mexico True brand.
Deadline: June 30

Mural of Possibilities Grant
Eligible State(s): New Mexico
The City of Albuquerque provides $750 to private property and business owners to commission new community murals celebrating local art, history, and culture, with recipients managing the artist and installation.
Deadline: None specified

GO! Grants
Eligible State(s): Montana
The Headwaters Foundation provides $8,500 in general operating support to small, rural nonprofits advancing health, belonging, and leadership for kids and families, with a simple application and funding decisions typically made within two weeks.
Deadline: Rolling

Carl C. Anderson Sr. & Marie Jo Anderson Foundation Grants
Eligible State(s): New Mexico
The Carl C. Anderson Sr. & Marie Jo Anderson Foundation grants provide between $5,000 and $20,000 in support to nonprofits serving low-income and vulnerable populations, with a strong preference for rural communities in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Deadline: Rolling

Resources

Montana Health Education Conference Support
Eligible State(s): Montana
The Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Centers provide $390 stipends to registered nurses and nursing professionals to offset travel, lodging, or registration costs for select 2026 healthcare conferences. Funding is limited to 30 participants.
Special requirements: Must attend an approved 2026 conference and submit an interest form.

New Mexico Reap
Eligible State(s): New Mexico
The Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University provides no-cost assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses applying for USDA renewable energy and energy efficiency grants, including one-on-one support and proposal reviews.

New Toolkit for Rural Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a free outreach toolkit for organizations serving rural veterans, providing ready-to-use materials on burial and memorial benefits to share with veterans and families.

Small Business bAIsics
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce helps small businesses save time, improve customer service, and unlock growth by teaching practical, easy-to-use artificial intelligence skills through free, flexible training.

Housing Hub Colorado
Eligible State(s): Colorado
A cross-agency initiative from the Colorado Housing Consortium helps affordable housing developers navigate and align applications for rental housing tax credits and related public funding.

Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to support sawmills and wood processing facilities using forest restoration byproducts from national forest lands. Applicants must work with qualified lenders and process ecosystem restoration byproducts from U.S. Forest Service lands.

AgriStress Helpline
The helpline provides free, confidential 24/7 crisis and emotional support for people working in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, including suicide prevention and referrals to mental health and agriculture-specific resources, by call or text.

Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities Economic Diversification Toolkit
The National Association of Counties offers this free, step-by-step planning resource that helps counties and rural communities diversify local economies, strengthen resilience, and prepare for economic shocks by offering practical strategies, templates, and tools grounded in real-world transition experiences.