The grants are provided through NSSF’s Collegiate Shooting Sports Initiative, which has assisted more than 75 schools with building competitive and recreational shooting programs through more than $1 million in support. The program is credited with helping to spur growth in collegiate target shooting across the country.

Successful target shooting programs have developed from modest beginnings — sometimes involving just several enthusiastic students, a dedicated coach and the NSSF grant. “Students and coaches provide the passion, NSSF provides the seed funding,” said NSSF Manager of Shooting Promotions Zach Snow.

Visit www.nssf.org/college to learn about grant opportunities for college shotgun, rifle or pistol teams/clubs. The NSSF also offers a PDF Brochure on Establishing a Collegiate Shooting Program. This includes sample By-laws and Rules.

“New grassroots programs such as the NRA Club Champion Challenge are the best way to get shooters, new and old alike, out on the firing line,” said Mike Krei, Director of NRA Competitive Shooting. “This is a recreational and fun event. We want everyone to be able to grab guns out of their closet and come to the range and shoot.”

The Club Champion Challenge is NOT a high-level competition using expensive, state-of-the-art hardware. The idea is to have fun with basic entry-level pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Any club or organization can participate and any range can configure a challenge. NRA membership is not required.

Club Champion Challenge Guidelines — Match Requirements
Here are some of the basic guidlines for running a Club Champion Challenge at your facility:

• Minimum of three courses of fire required. (Competitors must shoot all courses of fire.)
• All courses of fire (except shotgun) are adaptable to metallic/paper silhouette targets.
• At least two different firearm types must be used. (Rifle/Pistol, Shotgun/Rifle, Pistol/Shotgun)
• Firearm support options (sandbags, bipods, benches) may be used.
• Optics are limited to iron sights or scopes of 4 power or less.
• Competition firearms prohibited.
• No competitive shooting apparel. (Gloves, shotgun vest permitted.)
• NRA medals are awarded to category winners with the highest Aggs.
• Fees to NRA are $10 per adult shooter, $5 per junior competitor.

To sign your club up for a NRA Club Champion Challenge event, visit www.nraclubchamp.com. NRA Grants may be available for your event via FriendsofNRA.org.