SPECIAL PROJECT GRANTS

Definition and Purpose: Special Project Grants provide funding that enables an organization to carry out specific projects, programs and campaigns. 

Priority for Special Project Grants will be given to projects that align with the Cinnabar Foundation's priorities and advance the Foundation's strategic vision and conservation goals. Prior to making application, organizations are encouraged to review the Cinnabar Foundation's Funding Priorities.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Applicants must be established, well managed 501(c)(3) organizations — or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent. If the latter, a letter from the fiscal agent confirming sponsorship of the project and 501(c)(3) status must accompany the application.
  • Applicants must operate effective programs that serve Montana or the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
  • Organization must provide a 1:1 challenge match. An organization that is offered a Special Project Grant will be required to raise an equal amount of funding from other sources in order to claim its Cinnabar award. This must be a cash match — "in-kind" services will not qualify as meeting the match.
  • ​An applicant organization that received a grant in 2020 must submit a brief written report (two pages maximum) describing the progress made toward achieving the purposes outlined in the applicant's 2020 grant application and detailing expenditures made from the granted funds (see Grant Report Guidelines). To be eligible for a 2021 grant, this 2020 grant report must be submitted by January 31, 2021. Please send your report via email as a PDF attachment to cbyrd@cinnabarfoundation.org.
  • Special Eligibility Requirements for multi-year grants: The Cinnabar Foundation will only accept multi-year grant applications for a specific program, project or campaign that will take more than one-year to complete and requires a multi-year funding commitment in order to be viable. Examples include — but are not limited to — a land acquisition or conservation easement project requiring more than one-year to consummate, a project with distinct multi-year phases, or a multi-year campaign to achieve an identifiable goal. 
  • Applications for multi-year funding will be accepted by invitation only. Contact the Cinnabar Foundation's executive director Caroline Byrd to inquire.

Funding Amounts: Applicants seeking Special Project support are advised that grant amounts will not exceed 50% of the total project budget, or $15,000, whichever is less.

When To Apply: 2021 Special Project Grant applications will be accepted between January 11 and March 31, 2021. 

How To Apply: 
  • Download the grant application form and instructions from Cinnabar's website (buttons below).​  Be sure to read and follow the instructions!
  • Save the downloaded application form to your computer.
  • Complete the application in full and save it to your computer.  All information must fit within the visible space on the application form.  Do not insert a "scroll" function or modify the application template. 
  • NOTE: The application form is designed to be used with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Do not attempt to complete the application with any other PDF viewers or other Adobe programs. Acrobat Reader DC is available as a free download for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
  • ATTENTION Mac users.  Mac’s default pdf program (Preview) will corrupt the application template.  You must download and use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (see above) to complete the application.
  • Send the completed application as a PDF attachment to: cbyrd@cinnabarfoundation.org.
  • Only applications submitted electronically will be accepted.​​
Funding decisions will be announced by July 1, 2021.