Guidelines for Montana Library Association Grants

MLA offers a variety of grants to support continuing education and professional growth for its members. 

Before applying, please carefully review the key eligibility requirements and expectations:

• You must be a current MLA member and submit your application before attending the event.
• Grant funds are distributed after the event, and checks will be made payable to individuals, not institutions.
• Preference is given to applicants who have not already received a grant during the current grant cycle.
• All recipients must sign and return a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to the Chair(s) of the MLA Membership Development Committee before funds are issued.
• Recipients must submit a receipt to the MLA Executive Director as proof of attendance at the event or program for which funding was requested.
• Recipients of select grants will also be required to submit a conference report within 30 days of the event.

MLA Annual Conference Grants

These grants help current MLA members living 50+ miles from the conference site attend the annual MLA Annual Conference. Ten (10) $150 grants are available.

Eligibility:

• Current MLA membership
• Minimum of 3 consecutive years of MLA membership (If not enough applicants meet the membership length requirement, awards may be distributed to those meeting additional criteria)
• No MLA Conference Grant received in the last 2 calendar years
• Priority is given to applicants who have not received any MLA grant in the current cycle.

Funding:

• 10 grants available
• $150 each

Requirements:

• Sign and return a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to the Chair(s) of the MLA Membership Development Committee
• After the event, contact the Executive Director to receive the check
• Submit a Conference Grant Report Form within 30 days of the final day of the conference

Jane Lopp New Trustees MLA Annual Conference Travel Grant

In honor of Jane Lopp, these grants assist first-year Library Trustees with the cost of attending the MLA Annual Conference if they live more than 50 miles from the conference site.

Eligibility:

• Current MLA membership
• First-year Library Trustee
• Live more than 50 miles from the conference site

Funding:

• 2 grants available
• $50 each

Requirements:

• Sign and return a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to the Chair(s) of the MLA Membership Development Committee
• After the event, contact the Executive Director to receive the check
• Submit a Conference Grant Report Form within 30 days of the final day of the conference

MLA Fall Retreat

These grants support current MLA members in attending the MLA Fall Retreat held annually at Chico Hot Springs.

Eligibility:

• Current MLA membership
• Live more than 50 miles from conference site (Chico Hot Springs)
• No MLA Fall Retreat Grant received in the last 2 calendar years
• Priority given to applicants who haven’t received any MLA grant in the current cycle

Funding:

• 2 grants available
• $100 each

Requirements:

• Sign and return a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to the Chair(s) of the MLA Membership Development Committee
• After the event, contact the Executive Director to receive the check

Professional Development Grant

These grants support current MLA members in attending national or regional professional development events (excluding all MLA-sponsored events).

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 3 consecutive years of MLA membership
• No professional development grant received in the last 5 years
• Priority given to applicants who haven’t received any MLA grant in the current cycle

Funding:

• Annual budget: $1,200
• Maximum individual award: $600 (not to exceed actual costs)
• Grants awarded as funds allow—funding is not guaranteed

Application & Review:

• Deadlines: July 1, Oct. 1, Jan. 1, Apr. 1
• Reviewed only in October and April

Requirements:

• Sign and return a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to the Chair(s) of the MLA Membership Development Committee
• After the event, contact the Executive Director to receive the check
• Submit a Grant Report Form within 30 days of the event
• Checks issued to individuals, not institutions; partial payments may be considered in special cases

Knowledge Sharing:

• Recipients are encouraged to share what they've learned by presenting at the MLA Annual Conference.

Leadership Institute Grants

Please Note: The Leadership Institute is currently held every other year. The next opportunity will be in 2027 with applications open in the fall of 2026.

Leadership Institute Grants are designated for leadership institutes specified by the MLA Board; currently, the institute supported is sponsored by MPLA. These grants are available to current MLA members who wish to further their professional development by attending the MPLA Leadership Institute and meet the eligibility criteria for that program.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a current member of the Montana Library Association (MLA).
• Must have been an MLA member for at least the two (2) previous years.
• Must not have received a Leadership Institute Grant previously.
• Grant applies to leadership institutes designated by the MLA Board; currently, the institute supported is sponsored by MPLA.

Funding

• The Association budgets $1,000 per institute for qualified members.
• Funding will not exceed the actual amount associated with the program or event.
• Awards are based primarily on the budget submitted by the applicant.
• Applicants may also apply for Professional Development Grant funds but receive secondary preference for those funds unless they have not been granted an MLA Leadership Institute Grant.

Application and Review

• Applications should be submitted after confirmation of acceptance to the Leadership Institute.
• Upon award, recipients must sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and return it to the Chair(s) of the MLA Membership Development Committee
• Recipients should contact the MLA Executive Director to arrange receipt of the award check after the event.
• Partial payments may be made in extenuating circumstances and will be determined on an individual basis.

Knowledge Sharing

• Grant recipients are required to submit a presentation proposal for an MLA-sponsored retreat or conference.

Revised 2018

Revised 2019

Revised 2025