The Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (STEF) Program provides financial assistance to incorporated, private snowmobile clubs in Illinois. The STEF Program provides reimbursement funding assistance up to 100% of eligible project costs.

NW Illinois Snowmobilers Alliance Trail

Funds for the program come from a portion of snowmobile registration fees collected by the state. Grants may be obtained by local snowmobile clubs to develop and maintain additional public trails and facilities in the state. Although grants are made to private clubs, STEF-assisted snowmobile trails and facilities must be open and available for general public use.

Applications for grant assistance must be submitted to IDNR no later than May 1 of each calendar year. Applications are evaluated for funding consideration according to program priorities and criteria established by the Department with grant awards typically announced by early fall.

Grant assistance may be obtained for the following:
Trail development costs including clearing, grading, and surfacing;
Trail signs and fencing;
Trail groomers;
Bridges or fence traversing ramps (must be portable); and
Parking facilities and warming shelters/restrooms (must be located on public park land).

Links to State Snowmobile Clubs involved with the STEF Program:
Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs

The 2011 Trails Grant application can be completed and submitted ONLINE. Go to the ONLINE forms by clicking here.

Download the Illinois Trails Grant Programs manual.  You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or above to view this file.

Return to the Illinois Trails Grant Programs Page
Return to the Grants-in-Aid Programs Page