Outdoor Community Partners

Outdoor Community Partners Teaming up with rural communities to create, enhance, and sustain everyday access to nature, for all.

Project Pitch Fest - October 15, 2026 (applications due September 21) – This is a FREE virtual coaching opportunity for ...
08/26/2026

Project Pitch Fest - October 15, 2026 (applications due September 21) – This is a FREE virtual coaching opportunity for selected rural Montana communities, offering one-on-one guidance and expert feedback to help individuals refine a project idea, strengthen their story, and prepare for funding.
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JUST ANNOUNCED: This year there is a $3,000 Community Match available to support bringing project visions to life—–available to Project Pitch Fest grant recipients! �
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- To be eligible to participate in Project Pitch Fest: Must be a rural, underserved Montana community with a population under 5,000. Project should be focused on nature, outdoor recreation or a community initiative. Must be registered for and attend the Get Grant Ready Workshop.��- APPLICATIONS DUE: September 21, 2026 (5:00 p.m. MST) - Five qualified communities will be selected and notified by September 24. [Application Link in the Bio]��- October 1, 2026: Attend Get Grant Ready Workshop �- October 5: Optional Meet & Greet Brainstorm Session�- October 7-13: Two One-on-One Coaching Sessions �- October 15: Project Pitch Fest with the Community Cohort and advising experts from 12:30–3:00p.m. (MST)
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GET GRANT READY - This is a FREE, one-hour virtual workshop that helps you turn a project idea into a clear, actionable plan and prepare it for grant funding using a practical project-development template. This workshop is open to anyone! �WHEN: October 1, 2026, 11:00a.m. (MST) [Registration Link in the Bio]��. . . . .

Co-Hosted by Outdoor Community Partners and Heart of the Rockies Initiative
Sponsored by Trust for Public Land, Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research, University of Montana, First Security Bank Missoula

Have a community project idea, but are not sure how to shape, explain, or prepare it for funding? We've created TWO free...
08/12/2026

Have a community project idea, but are not sure how to shape, explain, or prepare it for funding? We've created TWO free virtual opportunities designed to help rural Montana communities develop stronger, more fundable projects.

GET GRANT READY - This is a FREE, one-hour virtual workshop that helps you turn a project idea into a clear, actionable plan and prepare it for grant funding using a practical project-development template. This workshop is open to anyone!
WHEN: October 1, 2026, 11:00a.m. (MST) [Registration Link in the Bio]

PROJECT PITCH FEST - This is a FREE virtual coaching opportunity for selected rural Montana communities, offering one-on-one guidance and expert feedback to help individuals refine a project idea, strengthen their story, and prepare for funding.

- Must be a rural, underserved Montana community with a population under 5,000. Project should be focused on nature, outdoor recreation or a community initiative. Must be registered for and attend the Get Grant Ready Workshop.

- APPLICATIONS DUE: September 21, 2026 (5:00 p.m. MST) - Five qualified communities will be selected and notified by September 24. [Application Link in the Bio]

- October 1, 2026: Attend Get Grant Ready Workshop
- October 5: Optional Meet & Greet Brainstorm Session
- October 7-13: Two One-on-One Coaching Sessions
- October 15: Project Pitch Fest with the Community Cohort and advising experts from 12:30–3:00p.m. (MST)

Co-Hosted by Outdoor Community Partners and Heart of the Rockies Initiative

Sponsored by Trust for Public Land, Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research, University of Montana, First Security Bank Missoula

Lincoln County just released the Kootenai River Recreation Framework, and we’re proud to have facilitated this work.The ...
04/23/2026

Lincoln County just released the Kootenai River Recreation Framework, and we’re proud to have facilitated this work.

The framework outlines a three year plan with concrete steps to improve access and safety along 50+ miles of the Kootenai River. Recommendations include new signage, ADA parking upgrades, bear canisters, a longer boat ramp, monitoring plan, and a cross-agency MOU to align partners, and more!

This is what cross-jurisdictional planning looks like when it works — built from field inventory, community input, and years of work to get the right partners and funding in place.

Thanks to our collaborators: .s.forestservice the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and David Thompson Search and Rescue!

And a special thanks to Lincoln County, the project lead, and to the Montana Dept of Justice Natural Resource Damage Program for funding the project.

Link in bio to download the full Framework.

💚 Research shows that people who live near accessible green spaces are more physically active, report better mental heal...
03/20/2026

💚 Research shows that people who live near accessible green spaces are more physically active, report better mental health, and have stronger community bonds. Yet uneven terrain, absent seating, and a lack of inclusive infrastructure can exclude the people who need nature most.

⚡️ As part of the Safe Trails Whitefish initiative to build a contiguous, accessible trail across our community, we’re working to launch the River Lakes Park, a place that every person in our community can enjoy regardless of age or ability — offering a place to breathe, move, and belong.

How you can help:
✅ Stay tuned as we work with the community this spring to develop a plan for the park and prepare to preset the final plan to the City this fall!
🤝 Donations will help this project move beyond the planning phase. If you are able, your financial support is welcome! Link in bio to contact us about making a contribution.

Studies show that people with access to green spaces experience lower rates of anxiety, reduced blood pressure, and stro...
03/11/2026

Studies show that people with access to green spaces experience lower rates of anxiety, reduced blood pressure, and stronger social connection. Yet in our community, people with disabilities or limited mobility lack access to many of our beloved local outdoor spaces.

That’s why Outdoor Community Partners is working to build the River Lakes Park in Whitefish — an accessible outdoor space designed for every body. Inclusive amenities and welcoming design mean that wheelchair users, older adults, and young children can experience the healing power of nature side by side!

How you can help:
👀 Stay tuned as we work with the community this spring to develop a plan for the park and prepare to preset the final plan to the City this fall!

🤝 Donations will help this project continue to move — even in the planning phase. If you are able, your financial support is welcome! Link in bio to contact us about making a contribution.

The FREE Get Grant Ready Workshop is coming up next week, December 4! Are you registered?Do you have an outdoor project ...
11/24/2025

The FREE Get Grant Ready Workshop is coming up next week, December 4! Are you registered?

Do you have an outdoor project idea and don’t know where to start? Need to refine your project concept? Want to know the basic building blocks for a successful application?

��Learn how to “Get Grant Ready” in this workshop, open to all — co-hosted by Outdoor Community Partners and Heart of the Rockies Initiative. ��

Register using the link in our bio!

Deadline for Project Pitch Fest applications is Monday, November 24 at 5:00p.m.!NEW THIS YEAR: $1,500 in project matchin...
11/19/2025

Deadline for Project Pitch Fest applications is Monday, November 24 at 5:00p.m.!

NEW THIS YEAR: $1,500 in project matching funds available! To be eligible for match funds, you must:
• Sign up and attend the Get Grant Ready workshop (FREE) — December 4, 2025
• Apply for Project Pitch Fest by 5:00 PM Monday, November 24, 2025 (and attend). Note: completion of the Get Grant Ready workshop is required for all Pitch Fest participants.

$1,500 in project matching funds are available for participants of the 2025 Get Grant Ready workshop and the Pitch Fest who also go on to receive grant funding for their project. Apply NOW!

Deadline for Pitch Fest applications closes Monday, November 24 at 5:00p.m.

IS PITCH FEST RIGHT FOR ME?

Do you live in a rural, under-resourced community (5,000 people or fewer)? Do you have a project idea that could benefit your community? Looking for expert coaching and a chance to tell your project need to a panel of experienced funders? Interested in receiving $1,500 in project matching funds? Then Project Pitch Fest is for you!

Learn more about Get Grant Ready and Pitch Fest in the links in our bio.

Hosted by Outdoor Community Partners and Heart of the Rockies Initiative.

Are you a rural, underserved Montana community with a population under 5,000? Do you have a nature-based/outdoor recreat...
11/07/2025

Are you a rural, underserved Montana community with a population under 5,000? Do you have a nature-based/outdoor recreation project idea for your community? Need a little one-on-one help to turn your idea into action? Are you registered for the Get Grant Ready Workshop on December 4th?

�We invite you to apply for Get Grant Ready "Project Pitch Fest"! Five qualified communities will be randomly selected to be part of the Project Pitch Fest Community, at no cost! If selected, you will 1) be a part of a community cohort of peers to share ideas with, 2) receive individualized one-on-one coaching with OCP and HRI to get your project into "grant-ready" shape, and 3) practice your final project pitch with our advising experts to get feedback and suggestions.

Project Pitch Fest will be held on December 18th, 12:30–3 PM.��

Apply by November 24th!��

Apply via link in bio!

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Lincoln County, MT
59923

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