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Missoula County opens 2026 rural grant program; microgrants and impact grants now accepting applications
Summary
Missoula County’s Grants division outlined two 2026 funding streams: microgrants ($100–$500; $5,000 pot; rolling monthly deadlines, next due Jan. 31) and impact grants ($501–$4,000; $24,465 available; single deadline Feb. 28). Staff listed 2025 project examples and directed applicants to missoula.co/ruralgrant.
Missoula County’s Grants division on Thursday described the county’s 2026 Rural Grant program, which will provide two types of awards to support community-driven projects in rural parts of the county.
Claire Biddick, Grants staff, said the program is intended “to support community driven projects that are enhancing the quality of life in the rural areas of Missoula County.” She explained the program has microgrants of $100 to $500 (a $5,000 total pot for the year) available on a rolling basis and impact grants from $501 to $4,000 (a $24,465 pool for 2026) that must be completed by year-end.
The microgrant application is rolling with a deadline on the last day of each month until funds are exhausted; Claire noted the next microgrant deadline is Jan. 31. The impact grant is an annual opportunity with applications due Feb. 28. Interested applicants can preview materials and apply at missoula.co/ruralgrant.
Claire listed multiple 2025 award examples to illustrate possible uses: a Potomac community member used $500 to buy hockey and skating gear for youth skate night at the Blackfoot River Ice Rink; Clinton PTSA received $500 to buy equipment for an after-school bike club; Seeley Lake projects received funding for pollinator garden repairs and a porta-potty/hand-wash station; Frenchtown community members received $500 for a community Christmas-tree kickoff event. Impact-grant recipients included Bonner PTA ($4,000 toward playground equipment), Frenchtown soccer field upgrades, and a $4,000 award to the Upper Swan Valley Historical Society for log-cabin preservation work.
Claire said applicants should review the Notice of Funding Availability on the county website for eligible costs and reporting requirements, preview the application online, and create an account in the Missoula County grants portal to submit applications. She closed by inviting questions and offering her email and office phone for follow-up.
Next steps: microgrant applications are due Jan. 31 (rolling monthly thereafter until funds are depleted); impact-grant applications are due Feb. 28, 2026.
