Polaris offers over $260,000 in grants to ATV clubs

In a first time move in the ATV industry, Polaris Industries has awarded grants to qualifying national, state, and local organizations in an effort to ensure the future of ATV riding. Launched in January, the Polaris ‘T.R.A.I.L.S.’ program was created to provide funds for ATV clubs, organizations, and grassroots groups.

T.R.A.I.L.S. stands for:

• T = Trail Development
• R = Responsible Riding
• A = Access
• I = Initiatives
• L = Lobbying
• S = Safety

The program was created with two main purposes: to promote safe and responsible riding and preserving access to riding areas. The grants have ranged from $2,000 to $10,000 and the funds can be used for trail development, maintenance projects, safety and education initiatives, lobbying, and other projects to increase and maintain land access.

According to Mollie Wulff, Grant Administrator for the Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S Program, the hope is to continue the program indefinitely. “It’s a way that together, riders and Polaris can help ensure that there are places to ride for generations to come.” The grant money is raised through the Polaris $25 “Right to Ride” charge when their ATVs are sold. Some of the recipients have used the grant monies to build bridges over previously un-crossable creeks as well as developing, connecting, and enhancing trail systems. Recipients have also used the monies promote ATV safety and education programs including purchasing traveling marketing trailers for their programs.

With regards to grant eligibility, Ms. Wulff stated the ATV club or group, must be a non-profit status organization, be it a 501c3, 501c7, or any non-profit. City, State and National organizations are eligible as well as government agencies. They are specifically looking for clubs with a focus on enhancing the RIDE for ATV owners. For example, this can be done through land acquisition, land development, trail maintenance, responsible riding campaigns, and safety programs. Ms. Wulff also stated the grants can be distributed in the form of money or equipment (ATV), or a combination of both, based on the organizations needs and request.

Photos reprinted with permission from the NATRA

The North Alabama Trail Riders Association was one of the recent grant recipients and we asked their President, Mr. Paul Traufler about his organization, the grant, and how the organization plans to use it. He indicated the North Alabama Trail Riders Association is a non profit organization, which leases, manages, and maintains one of the only riding areas in that portion of the state. Anyone can be a member and the organization holds off-road events and has raised money for charities including the American Cancer Fund. Their organization’s grant was in the form of a 2006 Polaris Hawkeye 4X4 ATV, which they use for trail building and trail maintenance. The organization has hopes of purchasing the land, which they currently lease and plan to re-apply for future Polaris grants.

The North Alabama Trail Riders Association uses ATVs to assist in the cleanup of their riding areas.

For more information on the ‘T.R.A.I.L.S.’ grant program and an application form, visit the Polaris Web site at www.polarisindustries.com and click on “Riders,” then select “Right to Ride.”

Grant applications are reviewed three times per year April, August, and November with application deadlines of March 1, July 1, and October 1. Organizations may apply for a maximum of two grants per year. So, hurry now and get in your application before the July 1 deadline.

An application form can also be found at http://www.pi54.com/ATV/PDFs/TRAILSGrantAppForm.pdf

More information can be found about the North Alabama Trail Riders Association at http://natra.dirtrider.net/