CONSERVATION FUNDING PRIORITIES AND PROGRAM AREAS
The Cinnabar Foundation supports organizations that effectively conserve, preserve and restore the natural environment in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
2026 CONSERVATION FOCUS
The Cinnabar Foundation seeks to support impactful, community-rooted, and power-building conservation work across Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The times call for bold approaches that protect our natural heritage and create lasting change driven by the people who call this region home. In 2026, Cinnabar will fund environmental organizations that not only deliver solid on-the-ground outcomes but also organize, advocate, and build durable conservation power—the kind that moves the needle in communities of all sizes across Montana and the GYE. We are looking for organizations that cultivate and uphold conservation ethics and achieve real, measurable results. We believe that lasting conservation depends on leadership development, grassroots organizing, strengthening rural voices and strategic advocacy, paired with stewardship, science, and a long-term commitment to protecting the landscapes, waters, and wildlife of Montana and the GYE.
Within this spirit of innovation and impact, Cinnabar invests in the following Funding Priorities and Program Areas:
2026 FUNDING PRIORITIES
2026 PROGRAM AREAS
Adapt to a Changing Environment
Conserve Wildlife and Wildlands
Preserve Public Lands
Restore Air and Water Quality and Fisheries
Applications will be accepted in any of these four program areas as long as they are focused on one or more of the bulleted criteria.
2026 CONSERVATION FOCUS
The Cinnabar Foundation seeks to support impactful, community-rooted, and power-building conservation work across Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The times call for bold approaches that protect our natural heritage and create lasting change driven by the people who call this region home. In 2026, Cinnabar will fund environmental organizations that not only deliver solid on-the-ground outcomes but also organize, advocate, and build durable conservation power—the kind that moves the needle in communities of all sizes across Montana and the GYE. We are looking for organizations that cultivate and uphold conservation ethics and achieve real, measurable results. We believe that lasting conservation depends on leadership development, grassroots organizing, strengthening rural voices and strategic advocacy, paired with stewardship, science, and a long-term commitment to protecting the landscapes, waters, and wildlife of Montana and the GYE.
Within this spirit of innovation and impact, Cinnabar invests in the following Funding Priorities and Program Areas:
2026 FUNDING PRIORITIES
- Build environmental power through advocacy by mobilizing an informed constituency and raising awareness to drive action on local, state, and regional issues
- Expand knowledge through scientific research and data collecting to find and implement solutions to environmental and conservation challenges (includes citizen science)
- Conserve strategic open space and agricultural lands that sustain wildlife habitat, migration corridors, and traditional rural qualities of life for people
- Protect public lands and advance critical wilderness projects
2026 PROGRAM AREAS
Adapt to a Changing Environment
- Build an informed constituency to inspire conservation actions that advocate to preserve and restore
- Support the advancement of climate strategies and solutions
- Support stewardship practices that enhance ecosystem health
- Prevent or mitigate irresponsible natural resource extraction
- Nurture the next generation of conservation leaders and stewards
Conserve Wildlife and Wildlands
- Protect wildlife habitat and migration corridors
- Conserve strategic open space and agricultural practices lands that benefit wildlife in coordination with
Preserve Public Lands
- Advocate and educate to defend our heritage of public lands and public access
- Support citizen science and field work restoration programs
Restore Air and Water Quality and Fisheries
- Protect, restore and advocate on behalf of clean air, water and fisheries
- Support citizen science and field work restoration programs
Applications will be accepted in any of these four program areas as long as they are focused on one or more of the bulleted criteria.
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All Cinnabar grants are competitive. Applicants are encouraged to articulate clearly and concisely their objectives that show how the organization or project has the potential to create or advance progressive conservation efforts in Montana or the GYE.
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WHAT WE DO NOT FUND
Cinnabar grant funds may not be used for:
And while every Program/Project application will be considered on its own merits, the Cinnabar Foundation rarely funds the following types of projects:
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