Special Wildlife Funds - Furbearer Fund (FY26) Grant

The Special Wildlife Funds - Furbearer Fund (FY26) offers competitive grants to nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions aimed at supporting projects that enhance the management and conservation of fur-bearing mammals. Eligible activities include education for hunters and trappers, training on best practices, and scientific research. This fund encourages sustainable harvesting and habitat improvement, ensuring the thriving populations of species such as beavers, otters, and raccoons in Illinois.

Description
The State Furbearer Fund provides grants to appropriate not-for-profit organizations, governmental entities, educational institutions, and corporations for projects that benefit fur-bearing mammals and improve harvesting opportunities for hunters and trappers of fur-bearers. “Fur-bearing mammals” are defined as: badger, beaver, bobcat, coyote, grey fox, mink, muskrat, otter, opossum, raccoon, red fox, skunk, least weasel and long-tailed weasel. This fund is part of the Special Wildlife Funds Grant Program. Grants through the State Furbearer Fund are competitive and are evaluated for their merit. This grant is a reimbursement basis grant paid quarterly upon receipt of quarterly performance reports and billings showing expenditure documentation and receipts.
Grant funding through this Fund supports activities and programs undertaken to educate hunters, trappers and the general public about fur-bearing mammals and their management; provide instruction and training to current and potential hunters and trappers on techniques and/or laws associated with hunting and trapping furbearing mammals; support scientific research on the ecology, conservation, or management of furbearing mammals; or develop and/or improve public fur-bearing mammal habitat management areas within the State. See 520 ILCS 5/1.32 for the section of the Wildlife Code that authorizes this program.