Since 2019, VMBA’s Naming Grants program has been a fixture of our work to support our Chapter’s incredible trail projects while also strengthening the connection between our mountain bike community and Vermont’s outdoor-minded businesses. We collaborate with participating companies to develop their grant – from goals to scope to geography – offering them and their employees a chance to help shape Vermont’s trails landscape.
This year, we are deeply grateful to the six companies who collectively contributed over $23,000 for projects across the state, all of which are set to be implemented during the 2025 building season. Without further ado, our 2025 Naming Grants:
- Press Forward PR is supporting Ridgeline Outdoor Collective with a $6,000 award toward the design and construction of a new blue progressive jump trail in Rochester.
- SRAM is providing Richmond Mountain Trails with a $5,000 grant to contribute to the construction of a new connector trail at the Driving Range to improve the climbing experience and reduce potential uphill/downhill conflicts.
- Velocio is granting $5,000 to the Upper Valley Mountain Bike Association to purchase new equipment and tools in support of the new volunteer-built expert technical trail, White Wolf.
- VBT Bicycling Vacations is helping Fellowship of the Wheel with a $2,500 contribution towards the construction of a new accessible summit loop at Saxon Hill.
- Motorex is offering $2,500 to the Southern Vermont Trails Association to complete adaptive improvements to trails in the Stratton Recreation Area.
- MTBVT is donating $2,500 in proceeds from the Green Mountain Showdown to support the Woodstock Area Mountain Bike Association’s expansion in winter grooming operations.
The VMBA office is psyched to have connected these MTB-minded companies with such awesome projects and super impressed with all the proposals submitted by our Chapters. The Chapters above will be sharing updates about their funded projects throughout the 2025 season, and we’ll be showcasing the amazing work at our Season S’Ender party this fall.
Our deepest thanks to Press Forward, SRAM, Velocio, VBT, Motorex, and MTBVT for their commitment to enhancing our trail systems and fostering a deeper connection between our community and the great outdoors. If your company might similarly be interested in being a part of our Naming Grants program, reach out to our Programs and Partnerships Manager Joe Gaynor (joe@vmba.org) to learn more.