Scholarships

Montana Wildlife Federation and Phil Tawney Hunters Conservation Endowment Board Offers Scholarships and Grants 

This opportunity is a wonderful way for MWF affiliates and non-affiliates to further conservation values in Montana and youth education projects. MWF is asking that you share this information with your clubs and to consider a submittal.  

With the Oct. 1 opening of the 2011 waterfowl season, the Phil Tawney Hunters Conservation Endowment of the Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) proudly begins accepting applications for grants and scholarships in its annual program committed to furthering the state’s hunting, wildlife and outdoor heritage.

            The MWF endowment offers one-year grants of $500-$5,000 to 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations as well as scholarships of $1,000 to college students.  

            Established in 1998, the endowment honors the late Phil Tawney, a fourth generation Montanan, lifetime sportsman and conservation leader. The endowment mission statement reflects Tawney’s passion and commitment to protecting Montana’s fish and wildlife, vulnerable habitat, and the future of hunting:

 “To educate and inform the general public about hunting ethics, fair chase, and values to perpetuate the sport of the hunt through efforts to conserve habitat and wildlife; and to stimulate the recruitment, mentoring, and involvement of youth in hunting and conservation activities.”

            Land Tawney, Phil Tawney’s son and endowment board officer said, “My mother, Robin Tawney Nichols, and I are proud that the hunting legacy my father felt so strongly about can be perpetuated as a living legacy through scholarships and grants for conservation projects. By awarding both grants and scholarships over the past few years, the endowment has made a significant contribution toward fostering a conservation ethic in Montana.”

            The endowment seeks grant applications that emphasize one or more of the following: the interface between hunting and wildlife management, especially issues that affect youth; strategies to promote environmentally healthy wildlife habitat; public policy changes to improve conservation habitat; strategies to improve and promote hunting ethics, fair chase, values, and safety; and activities to stimulate the recruitment, mentoring and involvement of youth in hunting and conservation activities.

            Tawney Endowment scholarships are given each year to Montana college students with academic majors in a field related to conservation who 1) exhibit a commitment to general public hunting ethics and fair chase, and 2) support values to perpetuate the sport of the hunt through efforts to conserve habitat and wildlife. Students should contact college financial aid offices or MWF. Scholarships are to be used during the 2012-2013 academic year.

            In 2011, the endowment awarded four Montana nonprofit organizations grants for engaging youth in outdoor conservation and hunting. The endowment also awarded five scholarships to students studying resource conservation and environmental sciences.            For information about the application process or to donate to the Phil Tawney Hunters Conservation Endowment, contact the Montana Wildlife Federation; P.O. Box 1175, Helena, MT 59624; (800) 517-7256; or Land Tawney, Phil Tawney Hunters Conservation Endowment Board, (406) 541-6733. Students also may contact college financial aid offices.

The deadline for grant and scholarship applications is January 20, 2012.

Scholarship Application for Students (Fillable PDF File, Fill, Print then sign)

Grant Application for Organizations (Fillable PDF File, Fill, Print then sign)