Resource Action Fund

The Resource Action Fund (RAF) was established by MTAFS in 1989 and has provided over $140,000 to support projects relating to Montana’s aquatic resources. Originally designed to support small outreach and on-the-ground projects proposed by Chapter members, the fund has evolved to consider all types of RAF proposals, including habitat, management, conservation, fish passage, research, and data management projects from both members and non-members. Focus areas include projects showing clear benefit to native and special concern species.

All RAF requests with merit will be posted on the MTAFS web page upon receipt. Members are free to provide comments regarding pending RAF applications to any member of the EXCOM, although there will not be an official comment period for requests of less than $2,000.

RAF APPLICATION GUIDELINES

If you would like to submit a proposal to benefit Montana fisheries, please fill out a proposal form and submit it to the current Montana AFS President for review. Please read the general guidelines carefully before submitting a proposal. We encourage you to speak with a member of EXCOM before submitting a proposal.

RAF grant applications must clearly state how the proposed project will provide at least one of the following:

  • benefits to one or more of Montana’s native species of special concern;
  • short and/or long term benefits to Montana’s or regional fisheries resources;
  • support of the objectives of the MTAFS;
  • relevance to ongoing and previous work in the area (e.g., geographic area, research area, etc.).

Further, the RAF grant application should demonstrate the following:

  • the support of an appropriate MTAFS committee, if expenditures relate to a committee’s responsibility;
  • coordination with applicable local, state, or federal agency personnel;
  • all necessary permits or licenses have been obtained or are obtainable;
  • funding from sources other than MTAFS has been obtained, solicited or denied;
  • no additional commitment of MTAFS funds would be necessary to complete the project.

RAF grant applications can be submitted using the form provided here to the current MTAFS president at any time (although see additional guidelines for grant requests in excess of $2,000 below). All applications will be reviewed by the MTAFS executive committee (EXCOM), composed of the president, past-president, president-elect, and secretary-treasurer. The EXCOM will evaluate and act upon all individual grant requests of $2,000 or less within 60 days of receipt. The disposition of these requests will be reported in the EXCOM meeting minutes, and posted on the web page.

All applications, regardless of the amount requested will need to be submitted to the Chapter President by January 30th.  Requests greater than $2,000 are required to be presented to the full membership for vote at the annual meeting.  The annual meeting is typically held in mid-February each year.  Applications received after January 30th will not be considered for funding until the following year’s annual meeting.

This change was adopted by EXCOM to maximize fair treatment of all proposals and most responsibly manage Chapter funds. If desired, discussion of this decision can be held with membership during the  MTAFS meeting’s business luncheon at the annual meeting.