CONSERVATION PROGRAM AREAS AND FUNDING PRIORITIES

The Cinnabar Foundation supports organizations that effectively conserve, preserve and restore the natural environment in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

2025 CONSERVATION PROGRAM AREAS and FOCUSES

The Cinnabar Foundation has adopted four key program areas that align with its Strategic Framework, each with specific focus areas designed to drive impact and further the Foundation's mission.  Conservation program areas and focuses are described below.

Please note that in 2025, the Cinnabar Foundation Board of Directors has adopted a new policy regarding educational programs.  Cinnabar has de-emphasized funding K-12 education and community-based ecology and conservation programs that are not embedded in the applying organization’s broader conservation work.  For example, if an organization is strictly a K-12 or community-based ecology or conservation program without a broader conservation framework, Cinnabar will likely not fund that organization in 2025.  However, if education is one element of the organization’s broader conservation strategy (and that strategy aligns with Cinnabar’s mission), that organization will be considered.  

2025 Program Areas

Adapt to a Changing Environment 
  • Build an informed constituency to inspire conservation actions that advocate to preserve and restore
           our natural heritage as we adapt to change
  • 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 lands that protect habitat and migration corridors

Preserve Public Lands 
  • Advocate, preserve and protect our 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.
2025 FUNDING PRIORITIES 
​
Cinnabar has four funding priorities which are hierarchically described below.
  • Build an informed constituency to inspire conservation actions that advocate to preserve, protect and restore clean air, water, lands and public access, wildlife, fisheries, and wildlands in Montana and the GYE
  • 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 protect wildlife habitat and migration corridors
  • Protect public lands and advance critical wilderness projects

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.
WHAT WE DO NOT FUND

Cinnabar grant funds may not be used for: 
  • Projects occurring wholly or partially outside of Montana or the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
  • Lobbying — attempting to influence legislation within the meaning of Section 4945(e) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
  • Political campaigns on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office
  • Projects where private benefits outweigh public benefits

And while every Program/Project application will be considered on its own merits, the Cinnabar Foundation rarely funds the following types of projects:
  • Art Projects
  • Capital Improvement (building construction, remodeling, etc.)
  • Community Gardens and Greenhouses
  • Community Trail Building and Signage
  • Equipment Purchases
  • Exhibits/Exhibitions
  • Film Production, Brochure Publication, or Website Creation — unless the product is part of an overall campaign, or there is a defined marketing or distribution plan for the product
  • Farm-to-Table Projects
  • Graduate Student or Individual Research
  • K-12 education and community-based ecology and conservation programs that are not embedded in the applying organization’s broader conservation work
  • Repetitive Funding for Recurring Annual Meetings and Symposia
  • Small Scale Vegetation Management or Noxious Weed Projects — unless it is part of a larger effort to build community support for conservation action
  • Scholarships
  • Youth Summer Camps and Camper Scholarships