Eligible applicants: Community and environmental organizations, schools and school districts, community colleges, and universities.

Funding priorities: PPL Montana community grants are made in three program categories – education, environment and economic development. The PPL Community Fund gives priority to applicants that can demonstrate that at least 25 percent of the total project funds are being matched by the organization submitting the application.

Education: supporting the arts in schools; supporting science in schools; and supporting special projects/programming for before and after school programs.

Environment: supporting special projects designed to improve the environment and/or promote public health.

Economic development: supporting programs that enhance Montana communities thereby making them appealing for business relocation or expansion.

Total funds awarded
$200,000 in grants will be awarded in 2007. This amount does not include contributions for the United Way campaign. Discretionary funds will be available for funding requests under $1,000 in the communities where PPL does business.

Grant cycle
The PPL Community Fund will have two grant cycles each year.

Applications for winter 2008 will be accepted starting Nov. 15, 2007, with a deadline of Jan. 31, 2008. Grants will be awarded in early April. 

Applications for summer 2008 are due July 31, and awards will be made in early October.

You must apply using the online application. No hardcopy applications will be accepted.

Limitations
A limit of one grant per organization will be awarded in any given year. Applicants may reapply each year. Projects/activities must occur within one year of the grant award. Multi-year requests will be discouraged.

Reporting requirements
A two-part post-grant report will be required – a narrative explaining the impact of the program and a financial expenditure account of grant dollars.