Grant Program

The RMEF Grant Program lies at the core of advancing our mission.

RMEF established the program in 1986 to provide financial and logistical support to projects that align with our priorities and goals. Grant funds raised by RMEF members, volunteers and generous donors from across the country translate into significantly more conservation accomplishment when matched with partner funds. The RMEF Grant Program also aims to build recognition for RMEF’s work, grow engagement, and boost local fundraising efforts.

Since awarding our first grant in 1986 for a habitat project – a 1,100-acre prescribed burn in a place fittingly named Elk Creek on Montana’s Kootenai National Forest, RMEF supported more than 14,800 projects in 49 states that directly contributed to advancing our mission. The grant program, in part, supplied funding for most of these projects. In 2025 alone, RMEF granted awards to 488 projects, totaling more than $7.4 million, that will leverage more than $53 million in partner funding for projects spread across 44 states.

Governed by clear guidelines and criteria, the RMEF Grant Program seeks to foster meaningful collaborations and long-term impacts in the conservation of natural resources and outdoor traditions. Grant project partners include federal, state, local, and tribal wildlife and land management agencies, private landowners and local stakeholders, sportsmen and women, and conservation organizations, universities, foundations and the outdoor industry. Eligible projects primarily focus on habitat stewardship, land conservation and access, wildlife management, and hunting heritage.

We support organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 entity, federal, state, local, or tribal government entities, sportsmen’s organizations, or educational institutions. All applicants must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS. RMEF does not offer grants to individuals.

Grant Guidelines

Enter Grant Portal

Habitat Stewardship

RMEF accepts grant proposals for habitat enhancement projects that support elk or other big game species and their habitat across the United States. Habitat includes food, water, cover, and space. Examples of habitat work RMEF funds include prescribed burning, forest thinning, noxious weed treatments, the development of wildlife water sources, and more. RMEF’s 2026 priorities include habitat improvement in migration corridors, aspen regeneration, invasive grasses, and conifer encroachment.

Wildlife Management and Research

RMEF accepts grant proposals for wildlife management that directly affect elk and other big game populations and research that expands the body of knowledge of big game ecology and habitats. RMEF’s 2026 priorities include research about migration and connectivity, critical habitat and nutrition, big game population trajectories, challenges to big game populations, and big game management solutions and wildlife-friendly fencing.

Land Conservation and Access

RMEF accepts grant proposals designed to conserve and protect quality elk and other big game range, migration corridors, and birthing areas while seeking to open or improve public access opportunities for hunters and other recreationists. RMEF’s 2026 priorities include conserving big game winter range and migratory corridors, connecting landscapes through public access and land conservation efforts, and creating new or improved public access through access easements and agreements and state-run access programs.

Hunting Heritage

RMEF accepts grant proposals that work to ensure the future of our hunting heritage. Examples include outdoor skills programs or events, hunter or conservation outreach, mentored hunts, and other similar activities.

Grant Program Guidelines & Application