NSSF Offers $250,000 to Clubs to Recruit and Retain Shooters

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is offering $250,000 in grant money for shooting ranges through NSSF’s 2009 Shooting Range Grant Program. The grant program is designed to help public and private shooting facilities jumpstart their recruitment and retention efforts. “The best way to increase participation is to enhance and promote shooting opportunities at the local level,” said Melissa Schilling, NSSF recruitment and retention manager. “We’re looking for unique proposals that move the needle on recruiting new shooters, attracting lapsed shooters back to the range and increasing opportunities for active shooters.” The projects will serve as pilot programs, which, if successful, can be used by other facilities across the country.

Project applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis in 2009, and the funded program must be completed by February 1, 2010. A total of $250,000 will be available through the program. Visit RangeInfo.org for program details. That site also includes profiles of successful 2008 grant projects.

CLICK HERE to Download 2009 Grant Application Form

The NSSF noted that this grant program is NOT intended for land purchases, for building or improving structures (such as club-houses), or for acquisition of range equipment and supplies. A winning grant proposal will focus on bringing new shooters to the sport and reviving the interest of shooters who are currently inactive. The NSSF also favors programs that will allow active shooters to try new disciplines. To learn more about program objectives and grant selection criteria, visit RangeInfo.org.

NSSF Gives $499,060 to States
In related news, the NSSF announced today it would donate nearly half a million dollars to nine states for the purpose of promoting hunting. In 2009, the NSSF Hunting Heritage program will allocate $499,060 to these state agencies: Arizona Game & Fish Department ($82,500), Colorado Div. of Wildlife ($22,000), Florida Div. of Hunting ($58,620), Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game ($73,500), Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources ($27,500), Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources ($66,200), Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife ($80,000), Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries ($78,500), Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources ($10,240). Since its inception seven years ago, NSSF’s Hunting Heritage Partnership program has contributed more than $3.3 million in support of projects managed by state natural resource agencies.

“Hunting faces challenges that are often state-specific, and these grants from the National Shooting Sports Foundation help make possible programs that state agencies might not otherwise be able to provide,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president and CEO. “This year’s recipients are right on target with initiatives addressing access issues and encouraging inactive hunters to go afield once again.”