ExtremeTerrain is coming alongside the off-road community by providing free money in the form of grants for trail maintenance. (Photo credit: Kristopher Roller)Imagine if a company gave out free money for Jeep trail maintenance, to qualifying Jeep clubs and off-road organizations.
Now stop imagining. This is really happening, and has been for years.
If you have a Jeep club and plan on volunteering as a group to do some trail clean up, trail expansion, or trail restoration, then you should read every word in this article.
Let me make this plain: It is super easy to apply for and receive this free money.
Heck, if your club is a real Jeep club, you are going to do trail maintenance anyway, right?
The New Mexico Jeep Group taking care of some trail maintenance in partnership with ExtremeTerrain (Photo credit: Shauna Ann)
So why not partner with a company who shares your passions, has your back, and wants to help fund your efforts?
Let me tell you all about it.
Trail Maintenance: The Clean Trail Initiative Program
ExtremeTerrain has been a trailblazer in the area of conservation of our nation’s off-road trails. Trail maintenance is a priority for them, and it should be for all of us!The Clean Trail Initiative Program was founded by ExtremeTerrain.com in 2015. Since that date, ExtremeTerrain has awarded more than 46 grants amounting to over $11,000 dollars to Jeep clubs, just like yours, for trail maintenance.
Some of the Jeep clubs and groups that have already participated in the Clean Trail Initiative Program for Trail Maintenance
More Jeep clubs, groups and organizations are being approved weekly by ExtremeTerrain for these grants!In just the past few months, for spring and summer 2018, ExtremeTerrain has already approved an additional 7 grants, and they are approving more applications on a weekly basis!
Why shouldn’t your application be next?
It is pretty simple to qualify. I’ll break it down.
Trail Maintenance: Am I Qualified for the Clean Trail Initiative Program?
To be considered for this free money, you have to meet just ONE of the following four requirements:
- Belong to a Jeep Wrangler 4×4 off-road club or group with more than 5 members.
- Own or work at a private or public off-road park.
- Organize or belong to an OHV organization with more than 5 members.
- Organize a trail clean-up project with a dedicated 4×4 off-road purpose.
I’m guessing that if you are reading this, then you already qualify. If not, grab 4 Jeep buddies, create a club, and get your application in.
You don’t have to be a huge Jeep Club to apply, so don’t be afraid to put your name in the hat! As long as it has 5 or more members, your club will be considered! (Photo credit: Joe Cowling)Seriously, ExtremeTerrain cannot make this any easier folks. If you are doing trail maintenance anyway, why not partner with them?
Trail Maintenance: How to Apply for the Clean Trail Initiative Program
Read this entire article before you apply, in order to maximize your chances of getting approved. I’m going to give you some pro tips in the next section.
So don’t rush it! Do it right the first time.
Please note: you have to be a Jeep club or organization based in the United States to apply.
The application itself is a simple 3-step process:
- Provide proof that you are affiliated with a Jeep club or organization.
- Complete a simple application form.
- Sign the eligibility waiver.
All of this will be done via ExtremeTerrain’s website. I’ll give you the application link at the end of this article. When you go to the link, it will take you to a simple Google form. It takes less than 5 minutes to fill it out.
But first, do yourself a favor and read these tips…
Trail Maintenance: Pro Tips on How to Get Approved
The New Mexico Jeep Group knows what it takes to get approved. They’ve received the grant more than once. (Photo credit: Fred Hawkins)
Ok, I get it, you’re in. Free money for something we’re already doing? Sign us up.
But how do you maximize your chances of getting approved? Follow these tips:
Tip 1: You’ll be asked for your URL (website link), if you have one. If you don’t, no worries. You can use the link to your Jeep club’s Facebook page. So make sure your club is active on your website or Facebook page! Share tons of photos of your adventures before you submit your application. You are hopefully already doing this anyway. The last thing you want is for ExtremeTerrain to visit your site and see you haven’t posted since the cast iron 3.8 liter engine.
Tip 2: Know what park or trail you plan to do the work on. They’ll ask you for this in the application. Pick a good one. Ideally, it will be a popular trail or park that really needs the support from a club like yours. The more well-known the trail or park is, the better! Don’t go picking some obscure location. Also, make sure you know the date you plan on doing the clean up, how many volunteers you anticipate having, and how many trash bags you think you’ll need.
Tip 3: They are going to want to know how you plan on spending the money they give you. Makes sense, right? So know the answer to this question before you apply. Make good choices with the funds.
So that brings up the question, what can we use the money for?
Well, I’ll give you some things that I know ExtremeTerrain approves of.
Trail Maintenance: What Can We Use the Grant Dollars for?
ExtremeTerrain is pretty flexible on what the grant dollars can be spent on. Trail maintenance is the goal, so think along those lines when applying. (Photo credit: Shauna Ann)You’d be surprised. ExtremeTerrain is fairly open to what the money can be used for.
- You can use the money for any tools needed for trail maintenance, expansion, or restoration. This is an especially wise choice, as your club can use the tools for future trail maintenance projects.
- Jeepers get hungry; we all know this. So yes, you can also use the money to feed your crew.
- You can also buy non-alcoholic drinks. Stay hydrated and keep your crew safe. Make sure you include that language if you are going with this option.
- Need to make signs or promotional materials to attract volunteers? You can use the grant dollars for that, too.
The best tip is to make sure you know what your club really wants to do and then figure out the best way to use the money for that purpose. If you can justify the expenditure, then they’ll probably approve it.
Imagine if Jeep groups and clubs all across America took advantage of this program. Think of what a difference we could all make. (Photo credit: Joe Cowling)Why is ExtremeTerrain doing this, you might ask?
Because ExtremeTerrain is serious about improving off-road trails across the U.S. and partnering with people who share this passion. It is that simple. There are no catches or gimmicks.
Trail Maintenance: Alright, Give Me the Link, I’m In.
Partnering with Jeep clubs and groups is just one of the many ways that ExtremeTerrain gives back to the off-road community. (Photo credit: Shauna Ann)First off, thanks! If you’ve read this far, then trail maintenance is important to you. So I’m thankful for you.
I’m also really grateful that the fine folks at ExtremeTerrain created this program.
This is one of the best ways I’ve seen so far of an aftermarket company and Jeepers working together for the good of the off-road community.
On a personal note, don’t forget to consider ExtremeTerrain.com when making your Jeep aftermarket purchase decisions. In my opinion, any company willing to give out money to protect the trails for generations of future off-roaders is a company worth doing business with.
Thanks to folks like you and ExtremeTerrain, we’ll protect our Jeep trails for future generations. (Photo credit: Ross van der Wal)
Good luck on your application. If you get approved, I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a comment and tell me what project you worked on.
Here is the link to apply for your shot at a grant: Apply For the Clean Trail Initiative Program
Until next time, keep it dirty and wheels side down.
~ Eric
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