Despite tough times right now in the powersports markets, Polaris announced another round of grants to support snowmobile and ATV/off-road clubs and organizations.
This round of grants was awarded to 10 clubs and associations, including two each in Wisconsin and Vermont plus one each in California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, New Brunswick and Tennessee.
The nearly $85,000 announced on November 21 is in addition to the $130,000 in grants announced by Polaris in April. And, as you’ll see in the Polaris press release below, total giving through the Polaris TRAILS Grant program since 2006 totals more than $3.5 million.
As always, we at Snow Goer applaud any support the manufacturers and other groups give to the grassroots organizations that are the backbone of our sport. Here’s the press release from Polaris (below):
Polaris Donates Nearly $85,000 To Off-Road and Snow Organizations Through Its Fall 2024 TRAILS GRANTS
Combined with the Spring 2024 TRAILS GRANTS, Polaris has donated more than $220,000 in 2024 and more than $3.5 million since the program’s inception
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), announced it is donating nearly $85,000 to off-road vehicles (ORV), all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and snowmobile riding clubs, and organizations across the United States and Canada as a part of its TRAILS GRANTS program. The TRAILS GRANTS program offers support to organizations and programs that promote safe and responsible riding, facilitate trail preservation, and help protect the environment and natural resources that are a part of the off-road trail systems.
“Local riding clubs play a critical role in maintaining trails and promoting responsible riding,” said Reid Wilson, vice president and general manager, of Off-Road Vehicles, Polaris. “Our bi-annual TRAILS GRANTS are one way Polaris supports their efforts and helps create opportunities for riders to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family.”
Awarded twice annually, TRAILS GRANTS support the efforts of nonprofit organizations and local riding clubs who use the grant for trail development, maintenance projects, safety and responsible riding education initiatives and other projects. In April, Polaris awarded 14 organizations Spring TRAILS GRANTS, making the combined donation amount for 2024 more than $220,000.
“We are thrilled to partner with Polaris to increase safety and education for our trail network,” said Tommy O’Connor, executive director, Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association. “Polaris continues to be a valued partner in the efforts of growing ATV riding in Vermont and nationwide.”
“On behalf of North Routt Snow Riders, which is a group of all volunteers that work tirelessly to maintain over 100 miles of snowmobile trails in Routt County, Colorado, I want to thank Polaris for selecting us as a recipient of the 2024 Fall Polaris Trails Grant Program,” said Gary Doven, president of North Routt Snow Riders. “These funds will go a long way in helping us maintain trails through the 2024-2025 season.”
These 10 organizations were named Fall 2024 TRAILS GRANTS recipients and received awards up to $10,000 each.
- Bog Hooters ATV Club (Mechanic Falls, Maine): Help create new segment of trail and build bridge to provide rider access to the other side of the falls and avoid crossing private land.
- Tuleyome (Woodland, California): Help restore nearly three miles of trail destroyed by wildfires to include constructing armored crossings, inserting rolling dips and more.
- North Routt Snow Riders (Clark, Colorado): Help fund trail grooming and maintenance.
- Mad River Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club (Waitsfield, Vermont): Help rebuild bridge damaged by flooding to reinstate access rider services and popular waypoints.
- Coalmont OHV Park Inc. (Coalmont, Tennessee): Help maintain, create, and connect existing trails at Coalmont OHV Park.
- Pine Center Sportsmens Club (Brainerd, Minnesota): Help repair trails to meet safety standards.
- Lumberjack Memorial Trail Inc. (Wabeno, Wisconsin): Help acquire equipment needed to facilitate the brushing and clearing of a100+ mile trail system.
- Kettle Moraine Snowmobile Club (Richfield, Wisconsin): Help with re-routing of trails to enable preservation of wetlands.
- VTT Club 2000 ATV Inc. (Eel River Crossing, New Brunswick, Canada): Help repair trails and support future maintenance.
- Vermont ATV Sportsmans Association Inc. (Barre, Vermont): Update trail signage including new crossroad identification, major road intersections and waypoints, all of which will aid in the event of an emergency.
Since the start of the TRAILS GRANTS program in 2006, Polaris has supported more than 420 ATV, off-road and snowmobiling organizations across the U.S. and Canada with more than $3.5 million in donations.
For more information, including how to apply for a spring 2025 TRAILS GRANT, visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/trails-application/.
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR, Polaris XPEDITION, and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves nearly 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com
SOURCE Polaris Inc.
Editor’s Note: Every Snow Goer issue includes in-depth sled reports and comparisons, aftermarket gear and accessories reviews, riding destination articles, do-it-yourself repair information, snowmobile technology and more. Subscribe to Snow Goer now to receive print and/or digital issues.