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 supplies grants for habitat enhancement projects in states with wild, free-ranging elk herds across the country, funding science-based projects that provide a direct benefit to elk and other big game to enhance their habitat (food, water, cover and space). Quality habitat is essential to ensuring the future of elk, mule deer and other wildlife. RMEF and its partners direct financial support to carry out prescribed burning, forest thinning, noxious weed treatments, the development of wildlife water sources and other projects to enhance wildlife habitat.

Wildlife Management and Research

RMEF provides grants for wildlife management and research in U.S states with wild, free-ranging elk herds, funding work that directly affects elk populations (e.g., disease management, wildlife-friendly fencing, etc.) and research that expands the body of knowledge of elk ecology and their habitats.

Land Conservation and Access

RMEF works with partners to conserve and protect quality elk range, migration corridors, and calving areas while seeking to open or improve public access opportunities for hunters and other recreationists. Conservation tools include land acquisitions, exchanges, voluntary conservation agreements (conservation easements), and other means.

Hunting Heritage

Ensuring the future of our hunting heritage is also a vital part of RMEF’s work. Hunters and anglers were among the first crusaders for conservation and remain today’s most important conservation supporters and leaders. RMEF supplies grants for hunting heritage and conservation education programs to help people of all ages learn more about hunting’s link to conservation and engage them in hunting and other outdoor pursuits. Outdoor skills programs or events, hunter or conservation outreach, mentored hunts, and other activities receive support from RMEF’s hunting heritage efforts.

Grant Program Guidelines & Application