Plank Stewardship Initiative

Through its grantmaking program, The Plank Stewardship Initiative (PSI), a 501 (c) 3 private foundation, provides financial resources to organizations that work to enhance the capabilities and livelihoods of those who manage and care for land and water in the northern Great Plains. Our core focus area is the mountains and plains of eastern Wyoming and Montana. 

PSI is pleased to invite interested nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organizations, educational institutions and local, county and state government agencies to apply for a single or multiple-year grant focused on one or more of the following PSI mission-specific categories: 

• Succession Planning 

• Economic Competence and Sustainability

• Land Stewardship/Sustainable Range Management

• Support for diverse representation with emphasis on under-represented communities (or disadvantaged or historically unsupported groups) in ranching including women and young producers

Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 for single-year projects or up to $50,000 spread out over three years for multiple-year projects (the multiple year total combined award cannot exceed $50,000). Proposals may request grants funds for any or all of the grant criteria described above. 

*10% of awarded grant funds will be held-back pending PSI Board approval of a Final Report (or Annual Report in the case of multiple-year grants) as described below. 

Successful applicants will be sent a Grant Agreement letter for signature along with PSI’s Final Report guidelines, and grants funds will be disbursed promptly upon receipt of fully-executed, signed agreements. 

Unsuccessful applicants will be offered the opportunity to discuss their application and seek feedback and advice for future applications with representatives of PSI at their request.

Applications will be evaluated for their potential to enhance sustainable stewardship in the Northern Great Plains by demonstrating the ability of the proposed project to fulfill one or more grant criteria components by achieving the results described in the grant project narrative and budget. 

We ask that applicants submit projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Provide succession planning activities and resources for farm and ranch families in order to enhance family decision-making for long term ranch sustainability in the Northern Great Plains

2. Provide critical training and resources to support successful farm and ranch operations, and enhance financial management. 

3. Provide training and resources in sustainable conservation practices in land management. This may include but is not limited to soil health improvement, development and growth of local native seed sources for wildland revegetation, incorporation of cover crops, water projects (stream restoration, diversion building, etc.) invasive species mitigation, and wildlife habitat improvement/maintenance projects. 

4. Provide training and resources in successful farm and ranch management tailored to the unique circumstances and challenges faced by woman producers, young producers and producers from under-represented communities. 

All applicants are **required to contact PSI’s Executive Director ** to discuss their projects prior to submitting grant applications.

Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026 via email to the PSI contact email address below. Applicants will be notified of receipt of grant applications by way of return email within two business days of submission.  

Final Grant funding decisions will be made during the PSI Board’s Annual Retreat, the second week of March, 2026. A preliminary review will take place prior to the Annual Retreat during which more information regarding grant applications may be requested. 

Applicants will be informed of the Board’s grant funding decisions within one week of the Annual Retreat. 

Successful applicants will be sent a Grant Agreement letter for signature along with PSI’s Final or Annual Report guidelines, and grants funds will be disbursed promptly upon receipt of fully-executed, signed agreements. 

Unsuccessful applicants will be offered the opportunity to discuss their application and seek feedback and advice for future applications with representatives of PSI at their request. 

Application

In addition, applicants are encouraged to contact the Executive Director with questions and/or concerns regarding the application process at any point in the process but prior to the grant submission due date.