Snowmobile Trail Grant List
Snowmobile trail grants are the life blood of our sport and without them there is no grooming, trail creation, reroutes and more. It’s critical all clubs and members are aware of the grant opportunities to continue operation of the trails. This is a living guide which we will keep updated with the latest resources and deadlines. There are two grant sections, Federal grants and State grants. If you know of any trail grants we missed, please send us an email at info@fasttractraction.com and we will get it added.
Federal Grants
Provider: United States Department of Agriculture
Name: Rural Business Development Grant
Notes: This grant is for areas with a population less than 50,000 and can help with equipment purchase, acquiring land and trail development. For more details on qualification checkout this link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/ME.RBDG_.Information.2018.pdf
Deadlines: Applications are closed currently but look to open in November and close in February. Next application window is not currently published. Check this link for the most up to date application window https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-business-development-grants.
Provider: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
Name: Recreational Trails Program
Notes: This program is distributed by each state. For more information checkout this link to access your state’s contact: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/rtpstate.cfm
Provider: Polaris Industries
Name: T.R.A.I.L.S. Grant Program
Notes: Put on by snowmobile manufacturer Polaris Industries. Max funding amount is $10,000 and can apply for two grants per year. All organizations must be non-profit or government organization.
Deadline: Application window is March 1st through September 1st.
Info: https://www.polaris.com/en-us/trails-application/
Application: https://forms.benevity.org/2893f1c7-6421-4272-a92d-9c35027ae13d
Provider: Ski-Doo
Name: Ski-Doo Snow Pass
Notes: Similar to the T.R.A.I.L.S. program but put on by Ski-Doo. Must be a government or non-profit. Each grant is worth up to $5,000 but must have matching funds for the project.
Deadline: Open until September 15th, 2023
Info: https://www.ski-doo.com/us/en/snow-pass-grant-program.html
Application: https://www.ski-doo.com/us/en/snow-pass-grant-program/form.html
Grants By State
Maine Grants
Provider: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Name: Snowmobile Grants
Notes: There are 4 types of grants, Club, Municipal, Capital and Disaster Relief. Each have different application dates.
Deadlines:
Club: December 1st
Municipal: December 1st
Capital: June 15th
Disaster: Within 60 Days after event
Info: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/grants/snowmobile_grants/
Massachusetts Grants
Provider: Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation
Name: MassTrails Grants
Notes: Reimbursement grants for non-profit and government that require the organization to provide at least 20% of total project grant.
Deadline: Currently Closed. Reopens in November and closes February 1st, 2024.
Info: https://www.mass.gov/guides/masstrails-grants
Michigan Grants
Provider: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Name: Snowmobile Trail Improvement Fund
Notes: Covers seasonal grooming and general maintenance of snowmobile trails, special projects to improve trail condition or access and replacement of trail maintenance equipment. Must be local government or non-profit organization.
Deadline:
New Trail Proposals can be submitted year round.
Applications for grants are made available in late spring.
Grant applications with required documents are due in the summer.
Grant agreements issued in October
Info: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/grants/rec/snowmo-trails
Minnesota Grants
Provider: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Name: Minnesota Snowmobile Trails Assistance Program
Notes: There are couple of grants available from the MN DNR. Maintenance and Grooming grants and Trail Improvement Grants. The trail improvement grant is for projects over $10,000 with the club or organization providing at least 25% of the funds.
Deadlines: For Trail Improvement application window is April 1st through May 31st.
Grooming and Maintenance:
May 15th for Application, additional certifications required to receive funds.
Info: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/recreation/gia_snowmobile.html
Provider: Sno Barons
Name: Snowmobile Trail Grant
Notes: Sno Baron’s put on the famous Haydays show and use the profits to provide trail grants to Minnesota clubs. Each grant has a value of $150-$1500.
Deadlines: November 1st
Info: https://www.snobarons.com/Trail-Grants.html
New Hampshire Grants
Provider: New Hampshire State Parks
Name: Grant-In-Aid
Notes: This program has two applications, a summer one for trail work/equipment and a winter grant for grooming assitance.
Deadline: Not provided
Info: https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/find-a-trail/grants/grant-in-aid
Provider: New Hampshire Snowmobile Association
Name: Raymond S. Burton Memorial Trail Project Award
Notes: A yearly grant to pay tribute to Ray Burton with an award of $1000. All NHSA affiliate clubs are eligible.
Deadline: April 1st every year.
Info: https://nhsa.com/nhsa-raymond-s-burton-memorial-trail-project-award-application/
New York Grants
Provider: New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Name: New York State Snowmobile Trail Grant-In-Aid Program
Notes: New York’s all encompassing statewide grant program. This program covers every facet of what it takes to run a trail system such as trail creation & maintenance, mapping and grooming.
Deadline: June 1st.
Pennsylvania Grants
Provider: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Name: Snowmobile Management Restricted Account
Notes: Covers everything related to trail creation and maintenance. Does not require a match but have higher odds of receiving the grant.
Deadline: Not provided
Info: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Grants/TrailGrants/Pages/default.aspx
Provider: Pennsylvania Snowmobile State Association
Name: PSSA Mini-grant
Notes: Grants are awarded for maintenance and renovation of existing trails, development or rehab of trailside/trailhead facilities, renting of train construction supplies, parts and espuipement, and groomer maintenance expenses. Max award is $3250 as of the 2020 document.
Deadline: September