September 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
September Deadlines
The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 to support programs that meet basic human needs and build community resilience. Funding priorities include arts and culture, education, health, community building, and democracy and civic participation. The foundation supports initiatives that enrich cultural life, expand educational access, improve healthcare, strengthen community networks, and promote civic engagement.
Deadline: Sept. 5
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program offers grants of up to $75,000 to help private landowners restore and protect critical fish and wildlife habitats. The program provides both technical and financial assistance, primarily through cooperative agreements. Eligible applicants include private landowners, tribes, and nonprofits working to conserve habitat for federal trust species. Projects must align with regional conservation focus areas and strategic priorities set by the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A total of $15 million in funding is available nationwide. Interested applicants must contact their local PFW office before developing or submitting a proposal.
Deadline: Sept. 30
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers no-cost technical assistance to rural hospitals to strengthen financial stability, improve operations, and sustain essential health services. Eligible applicants include Critical Access Hospitals, rural Inpatient Prospective Payment System facilities, and tribal hospitals not currently participating in similar federal technical assistance programs. Selected hospitals receive up to two years of personalized support—plus an optional third year for follow-up—to implement strategies in areas such as revenue cycle improvement, service line development, leadership coaching, and telehealth expansion.
Deadline: Sept. 30
Athletic Brewing Company’s Two for the Trails program offers grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to nonprofits for trail work, environmental protection, and outdoor access projects in 2026. Registered nonprofits may apply for funding to support trail maintenance, waterway protection, invasive species removal, beach cleanups, habitat restoration, and other shovel-ready conservation efforts. Projects must have land manager approval, demonstrate environmental impact, and align with the company’s values of equity and inclusion in outdoor spaces.
Deadline: Sept. 30
The U.S. Soccer Foundation, in partnership with Musco Sports Lighting, offers funding through its Safe Places to Play program to support lighting projects that create safe, accessible soccer spaces for youth. Grants are available for both Mini-Pitch Systems—small, hard-surface courts ideal for urban settings—and larger-scale soccer facilities. The program aims to increase access to well-lit, high-quality fields that promote physical activity, personal growth, and community engagement.
Deadlines: Sept. 30 and Dec. 31
October Deadlines and Beyond
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program offers no-match grants of up to $54.2 million to help rural and tribal communities access legal, technical, and financial advisors for transportation infrastructure projects. Eligible applicants include state and local governments serving non-urban areas, federally recognized tribes, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Grants may be used for early-stage planning and development activities such as feasibility studies, project design, environmental reviews, cost-benefit analyses, and value-for-money studies. A $20 million set-aside is dedicated to tribal applicants.
Deadline: Oct. 8
The Shubert Foundation awards grants ranging from $15,000 to $371,000 to support the ongoing vitality of live performing arts across the United States. Funding primarily provides general operating support to nonprofit professional theater and dance companies. The foundation also supports arts-related organizations, prominent college drama departments, and the development of new theatrical works.
Deadlines: Oct. 15 (Dance, Arts-Related, and Shubert Scholars); Dec. 4 (Theater)
The Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust offers quarterly grants to nonprofits that support sick and injured veterans and their families. Funding supports programs providing healthcare access, mental health services, rehabilitation, mobility support, and assistance for veterans facing PTSD, brain injuries, and other service-related challenges. Applicants must be nonprofits and submit required financial and organizational documentation.
Deadline: Oct. 31
The Alpha Phi Foundation offers Heart to Heart Grants of $100,000 for clinical research and up to $25,000 for community-based projects advancing women’s heart health. Eligible applicants include nonprofit hospitals, universities, research programs, and community organizations in the U.S. or Canada. Clinical grants support bench or clinical research, while community grants fund education, outreach, and engagement efforts. All proposals must focus on the care or education of women.
Deadline: Oct. 31
The RRF Foundation for Aging offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 to nonprofits working to improve the quality of life for older adults. Funding supports projects in caregiving, economic security, housing, and social and intergenerational connectedness. Grants may fund advocacy, direct service, training, or research initiatives that advance policy and practice. The foundation also considers innovative proposals that promote well-being for aging populations beyond its core focus areas.
Deadline: Nov. 1
The USA Swimming Foundation offers grants to expand access to swim lessons and promote equity in aquatics through its Learn-to-Swim, HBCU, and Community Impact Grant programs. Funding supports organizations that serve underserved and underrepresented communities by providing life-saving swim instruction and fostering inclusive participation—from beginner lessons to competitive swim development. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and other entities committed to water safety and equitable access to aquatic programming.
Deadline: Dec. 15
The National Association of Rural Health Clinics’ Research and Education Foundation offers $3,000 scholarships to support clinical rotations for Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant/Associate students at Rural Health Clinics. Funding helps offset housing, transportation, and other educational expenses during rural placements. Four scholarships will be awarded for the Fall 2025 cycle.
Deadline: Rolling
The U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with the Alliance for Green Heat, is offering grants of up to $50,000 to expand firewood banks that provide renewable heating support to rural communities. Eligible applicants include firewood banks, nonprofits, tribal governments, and local governments working to process and distribute firewood—particularly low-grade wood from federally managed lands. Funding may be used to acquire firewood, purchase processing equipment, and scale up operations. The program supports both household energy security and forest health through active land management. Applications open September 15.
Deadline: Rolling
The FM Fire Service Grant Program offers $5,000 grants to fire departments and related organizations in the U.S. and Canada to enhance pre-incident planning and emergency preparedness. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and public agencies that support fire service operations. Funding can be used for pre-incident planning software, personnel training, risk assessments, mapping, and simulations. Applications open September 2 at noon EST and will be accepted until 300 applications are received.
Deadline: Rolling
State-Specific Funding Opportunities
Colorado: The Local Government Childcare Planning Grant offers up to $75,000 to help local and tribal governments assess childcare needs and adopt policy changes that support child care facility development. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, tribal governments, and early childhood development service districts. Funding may be used to hire consultants for needs assessments or to update land use codes, development review processes, and related regulations. Applicants must be in compliance with state laws governing their operations.
Deadline: Sept. 24
Colorado: U.S. Venture’s CEC offers up to $35,000 in grants or sponsorships for nonprofits advancing education, economic development, health, family support, and human services. Public charities may apply for funding to support programs, operating costs, capital needs, or events. Only one award is permitted per organization per calendar year. Applications must demonstrate alignment with CEC values and include documented support from a U.S. Venture team member or shareholder.
Deadline: Oct. 24
Montana: The Town Pump Charitable Foundation offers grants to Montana schools and nonprofits to fund weekend backpack food programs that fight child hunger. Eligible applicants include schools, food banks, pantries, and civic organizations that provide nutritious, shelf-stable food to children at risk of weekend hunger. Each “backpack” typically includes multiple breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and canned produce to replace school meals. In 2024, the foundation awarded $725,000 to 91 programs across the state.
Deadline: Sept. 30
New Mexico: NM EDGE Ops Microgrants offer $2,500 for consulting services to strengthen small business operations and strategy. Funding can be used to improve operational efficiency, market strategy, and technology readiness. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through September 2025.
Deadline: Rolling
New Mexico: New Mexico Match Fund offers grants to help public entities secure and implement federal funding for infrastructure, energy, and economic development. The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration is offering $50 million in Matching Grants, $4 million for Project Implementation, and $17.5 million in Federal Compliance Offset grants. Eligible applicants include state agencies, tribal governments, municipalities, counties, and political subdivisions. At least 40 percent of match funds are reserved for rural, frontier, and tribal governments. Funds support federal grant matching, project implementation, and compliance costs.
Deadline: Rolling
Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming: The Franz Bakery Foundation offers $3,000 grants to nonprofits in ten western states supporting families, youth development, and hunger reduction. Eligible applicants must be nonprofits located in areas served by Franz (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY). Funding may not be used for capital campaigns, religious activities, or third-party giving. Grantees must provide a follow-up report within six months of receiving funding.
Deadline: Nov. 9
Resources
Trail Map for Rural Development in America: This guide outlines impactful strategies to help rural communities grow their outdoor recreation economies. Designed for nonprofits, Tribes, public agencies, and funders, the Trail Map offers actionable insights across five focus areas—Education, Community Vision, Financing and Implementation, Resilience, and Innovation—to support sustainable rural development through outdoor recreation.
Colorado: Free Suicide Prevention Program Licenses for Colorado Schools. Middle and high schools in Colorado can apply for free licenses to implement the evidence-based Signs of Suicide prevention program for students and staff. Offered through a partnership between the Colorado Department of Education’s Project AWARE and MindWise Innovations, licenses are available for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 school years. Supplies are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
New Mexico: Grant Training Discounts from The Grant Plant: Nonprofits can sharpen their skills with in-person and virtual training from the Grant Plant throughout 2025. Topics include grant writing, compliance, financial monitoring, and building funder relationships. Use code tgppartner15 for $15 off any live webinar or tgppartner50 for $50 off any in-person training.
New Mexico: Grant Readiness Workshop: Groundworks New Mexico is hosting a day-long Grant Readiness Workshop to help nonprofit leaders secure and manage public funding. Participants will learn how to access and comply with federal and state grants, secure matching funds, and prepare their organizations for funding opportunities. Breakout sessions will cover compliance, financial management, and readiness planning by organizational size. Attendees who complete the workshop will receive a free one-year Groundworks membership.
Pre-work required by Sept. 12.