Get ‘Em Outside Mini-Grant Program

Q: I am a teacher at a public school, can I apply for this grant?

A: Yes, you can apply for this grant.  Both informal program providers, and teachers in a formal education setting are eligible to apply for and receive this grant.

Q: I notice that MEEA is looking for programs that can be considered innovative approaches to environmental and/or outdoor education.  What do you consider innovative?

A: Some factors we consider when deciding if a program is innovative are whether they are new programs for the organization or region, whether the program is designed based on current perspectives of best practice, and whether lessons learned from the program might inform program development for other similar organizations in Montana.

Q: What will the reporting requirements be for this grant?

A:  All grantees will be asked to submit a final report by June 15 of the grant year. The report is a simple summary of the project, the challenges to implementation, and the successes (including any ways the project will be continued). We also request 2-3 photos of students in action. Final reports can be submitted here. 

Q: What kinds of things can the grant funds be used for? Can I purchase food? Pay presenters?

A: Past grants have funded a wide range of program materials, transportation costs, wages and stipends for presenters and program facilitators, and admissions to outside venues. Examples of non-allowable uses of funds include transportation costs for teachers, teacher salaries, and food. If you have any questions regarding allowable uses of funds, please email meeapresident@gmail.com

Q: My project begins soon after the grant award date. How quickly will the funds be available to me if I am successful?

A: This year, decisions will be made by December 15, 2025. The funds will be available within days after that date. Note: a check will be mailed to the address of your organization as indicated in your application.

Q. How many grants are available each year? 

A: MEEA is able to offer mini-grants based on the available funding for that year. This year, we have three $500 grants available.

Q. Can I apply for another mini-grant if I have received a grant in past years?

A: Yes, repeat applicants will be considered, as long as the final grant report has been submitted to MEEA for the past grant. 

Your report will help MEEA identify further ways to serve you and other educators in the Montana EE community. 

I. NARRATIVE: (maximum of 4 pages, exclusive of attachments)

A. Program Description: briefly describe your program and the goals for your program.

B. Results/Outcomes

1. Describe the progress you made in achieving your grant goals and outcomes. (Include information from your grant application for reference.)
2. What was your grant impact (e.g. numbers served, evaluation results, etc.)?  Note: If you have evaluation materials that document the impacts of your work, please feel free to attach it in lieu of responding to this question.
3. Were there any unanticipated results, either positive or negative, that you have not already described in B2 above? If yes, please describe the implications.
4. Describe collaborations, if any, related to the work funded by this grant.

C. Lessons Learned

1. Describe what you learned when you implemented your program, and what, if any, program or organizational changes you will make based on your results/outcomes.
2. Did external or environmental factors (e.g., weather, economic shifts, changes in partner organizations, etc.) affect the impact or timeline of your work? If yes, how did you address these issues?

D. Future Plans

1. If you will be continuing this program, what are your plans for sustaining or expanding the program, including a future funding plan? If discontinuing the program, what factors led to this decision?
2. Would you be willing to communicate your outcomes and lessons learned with others (i.e. Annual MEEA Conference, news article in MEEA BugNet, etc.)?
3. If you have identified areas where increased collaboration between organizations would lead to increased positive outcomes, briefly describe your ideas.

 II. FINANCIALS: Submit a brief financial report documenting how you used your grant funding.

III. PHOTOGRAPHS: Please submit photos of your program with this final report, with permission to use the photos publicly, if possible. MEEA would like to have the option to use your photos for future mini-grant promotions. 

Please submit your final report to Emily Chilcoat, MEEA, at echilcoat@mtaudubon.org, or send to Emily Chilcoat, MEEA, 3422 Lucky Penny Lane, Billings, MT 59106

Final Reporting Form due June 15.