The Best Business Grants in Montana
July 9, 2026
Updated:
Securing capital is often the biggest hurdle for any founder. While loans and credit cards are common, they come with the weight of repayment and interest. Grants are the ideal alternative because they generally don't have to be paid back. However, there is a catch: grants are highly competitive and can be very difficult to find. We've built this guide to help you understand the grant landscape in Montana.
Montana runs a compact but well-designed business grant ecosystem, with most state-level activity centralized in the Montana Department of Commerce and targeted programs supporting populations that traditional grant programs often overlook. The Growth Through Agriculture Program anchors the state's agricultural funding with grants up to $50,000 for new agricultural products, processes, and equipment purchases, reflecting Montana's central role in ranching, farming, and food production. Montana also runs a Tribal Tourism Grant supporting Native American-owned tourism businesses across the state's seven federally recognized reservations, and a Trade Show Assistance Program that reimburses half the cost of exhibiting at domestic trade shows, an unusual program that helps geographically-isolated Montana businesses reach broader markets. Award sizes range from $3,500 professional development grants up to $60,000 for federal SBIR/STTR matching awards, with a mix of rolling and fixed deadlines depending on the program.
Montana's grant activity operates almost entirely at the state and nonprofit level, with almost no city-specific funding available.
Montana businesses with international expansion goals should also explore Export Montana, the state-administered version of the federal State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Administered by the Montana Department of Commerce, Export Montana supports export development activities like trade missions, international marketing, and translation services for Montana-based small businesses pursuing overseas markets. Export Montana pairs naturally with the state's domestic-focused Trade Show Assistance Program, giving Montana businesses complementary support for both domestic and international market expansion. For more information and details on where to apply, check out our grant page for the State Trade Expansion Program.
While Montana's state and local grant landscape is more limited than some larger states, Montana businesses are eligible for hundreds of national grant programs from federal agencies, corporations, and foundations that often offer larger award sizes and broader eligibility. Those programs aren't covered on this page, but you can search our complete grant database to see every state and national grant your business qualifies for. You can also join our free weekly newsletter to get new Montana grants delivered to your inbox as soon as they open.
MONTANA GRANTS
Bozeman Professional Women Grants
Bozeman Professional Women
The Bozeman Professional Women Small Business and Professional Development Grants provide women in Montana with grants ranging from $500 to $3,500 to support business development or further their professional education. Administered by Bozeman Professional Women (BPW), a nonprofit organization that has been supporting women entrepreneurs and professionals across Montana since 2010, the program is designed to enable women in the development of their businesses or education and grow the number of women entrepreneurs in the state. Since the program began, BPW has awarded over $75,000 to women business owners across Montana.
Grants may be used to purchase equipment or other materials for business start-up or development, or to fund educational and professional development opportunities. To qualify, applicants must be a woman and a Montana resident who is either a small business owner or a business professional seeking grant funding for business or professional growth. Business applicants must have a business that has been operational and registered in Montana for at least one year prior to application and is in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State. Grants are intended for projects not otherwise eligible for aid and cannot be used for religious purposes, veterans' or fraternal organizations, general endowments, or fundraising. The funded project or program must not have already been purchased or funded prior to applying, and must be completed within six months of receipt of funds. Finalists are required to participate in a personal interview with the BPW Grant Committee as part of the selection process.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$3,500
MT Growth Through Agriculture Program
MT Department of Commerce
The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes. Examples of eligible project activities involve equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services for engineering.
Award Amounts:
-Grants up to $50,000
-Loans up to $100,000
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$50,000
MT Tribal Tourism Grant
MT Commerce
The Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant provides up to $10,000 in funding, with no match required, to startup or expanding Native American-owned tourism businesses in Montana. Administered by the Montana Department of Commerce as part of its Indian Country Financial Assistance programs, the grant is available to enrolled citizens (aged 18 or older) of Montana's 12 federally recognized tribes, with approximately 24 awards distributed each fiscal year. Applicants apply under one of five business categories: Native American Made in Montana retail sales products; hosted accommodations or experiences such as vacation rentals or tours; licensed hunting and fishing outfitting or guiding; licensed food, beverage, or grocery businesses such as food trucks; or other operational businesses that supply or serve tribal tourism in Montana.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$10,000
Montana Incumbent Worker Training Program
MT Department of Labor & Industry
The Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) program is a grant funding resource, helping to off-set a portion of skills-based training costs for incumbent (existing) workers employed by Montana's private sector. Businesses must demonstrate that training will increase the worker's skill-level, result in a promotion or wage gain, or expand their business market/increase business revenue with the intent of preserving existing jobs for Montana residents.
Funding is allocated to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (MTDLI) on a State Fiscal Year at the discretion of the Montana Legislature and is not guaranteed. This competitive worker retention grant has $540,000 available each Fiscal Year (FY). Applications are submitted through Submittable for trainings of incumbent workers. Conditional awards provide up to $2,500/full time employee and $1,000/part-time employee.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$20,000
MT Trade Show Assistance Program
MT Department of Commerce
Exhibiting at a wholesale domestic trade show can boost your sales, help make key business connections, and diversify your market. The Montana Trade Show Assistance Program grant can help fund your next domestic trade show exhibition through 50% reimbursement of your cost associated with the show, plus travel stipend.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$5,000
MT SBIR/STTR Matching Grant
MT Department of Commerce
The purpose of the Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program is to foster job creation and economic development in the state by providing matching grants to eligible businesses meeting the criteria set forth in these guidelines.
The Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program is designed to award grant funds to Montana companies that have been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Program or Small Business Technology Transfer Program (Federal SBIR/STTR Program) Phase I award and that, if the opportunity to do so is available, intend to apply for a Federal SBIR/STTR Program Phase II award.
The State may provide up to $30,000 to businesses that have received a Phase 1 award, referred to as Stage 1 funds. Additionally, the business may be able to apply for an additional $30,000 towards the completion of Phase 2 project, referred to as Stage 2 funds. Businesses must have received a Stage 1 award in order to apply for a Stage 2 funds.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$60,000
Don't stop at state-level funding
Most business grants aren't geographic, they're tied to your industry, your stage, or your team. Our database tracks 500+ programs across every category, and our free newsletter delivers new grants to your inbox each week.