The Missouri-Madison River Fund Grant Program, implemented through the Missouri-Madison Comprehensive Recreation Plan, addresses ongoing needs for public recreation in the Missouri-Madison Project Area. Created as a public-private partnership among local government, state and federal agencies, and licensee of the Project 2188 Hydroelectric Project, River Fund grants and NorthWestern Energy matching funds are awarded annually for qualifying projects.
The FY2027 River Fund application window is now open. The application deadline is Sept. 16, 2026, and associated documents are available below.
| Hebgen-Madison Region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project name | River Fund Grant | NorthWestern Energy match | Applicant and partner contributions | Total project cost |
| Clute's Landing boat launch and road improvements | $20,425 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $27,425 |
Varney Bridge FAS site improvements | $118,750 | $11,250 | $50,000 | $180,000 |
| Hebgen Lake Map update and printing | $57,626 | $1,500 | $3,750 | $62,876 |
| Hebgen-Madison region total | $196,801 | $16,250 | $57,250 | $270,301 |
(No applications for FY2026.)
| Great Falls Region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project name | River Fund Grant | NorthWestern Energy match | Applicant and partner contributions | Total project cost |
| MidCanon FAS latrine installation | $226,351 | $9,375 | $37,500 | $273,226 |
Kings Bridge redecking | $84,600 | $10,000 | $25,000 | $119,600 |
| Ft Benton canoe launch levy trail | $55,132 | $3,750 | $17,400 | $76,282 |
| Great Falls region total | $366,083 | $23,125 | $79,900 | $469,108 |
| Total requested for FY2026 funding | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Fund Grant | NorthWestern Energy match | Applicant and partner contributions | Total project cost | |
| Grand total requested for FY2026 funding | $562,884 | $39,375 | $137,150 | $739,409 |
Applications submitted for consideration of funding during the Fiscal Year 2026 cycle of the River Fund Grant Program are available below. A total of six project applications were submitted.
(No applications for FY2026.)
You can view a history of River Fund grant recipients, funding awards and award amounts in the Cumulative Funding Summary document. Detailed summaries of previously funded River Fund projects are available in the River Fund Project Summary document.
River Fund grant application materials for annual grant cycles will be available for download on the River Fund page in mid-May. Completed applications are due in September. Please see application materials for the specific due date.
For more information about the River Fund, matching fund requirements and project eligibility, please reach out to the contacts listed at the bottom of the River Fund page.
