Comment: If we want the shooting sports to survive (and thrive), we need to bring young shooters into this sport. Many of our readers, as well as this Editor, got started in shooting through the Boy Scouts. I shot rimfire rifles at scout camps and earned my Marksmanship Merit Badge. AccurateShooter.com strongly supports the Scouts, and we commend the NSSF for providing grants to regional BSA Councils. This article explains how regional BSA Councils can apply for funding.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has kicked off its annual grant program for the Boy Scouts of America Councils. Through this partnership, BSA Councils can receive a portion of $100,000 in NSSF grant funds to develop or expand their troop activities in target shooting and marksmanship. Target shooting programs continue to rank among Scouting’s most popular activities, teaching firearms and range safety, teamwork building and fundraising skills.

2018 marks NSSF’s eighth year supporting the BSA Council Grant Program, underscoring the time-honored practices of firearms safety, marksmanship training and shooting sports participation with the Boy Scouts. Additionally, the BSA’s recent decision to allow young females to join its ranks, though controversial, does provide an entirely new audience for BSA marksmanship training.

“Safety and marksmanship training through the Boy Scouts is a time-honored introduction to the shooting sports. We’re looking forward to increased participation from Scouts pursuing [merit] badges in these activities and then taking those new skills afield for a lifetime of enjoyment”, said Zach Snow, NSSF Range Services Director.

How Scouting Groups Can Apply for Grants

BSA Councils should review the grant guidelines and application procedures on the NSSF Website. Councils awarded NSSF funds must use those grants to purchase shooting sports equipment/supplies from NSSF Member Retailers. Qualifying purchases include: ammunition, eye and ear protection, firearms, targets, and shooting vests.

BSA Councils should Download the Application PDF and Grant Worksheet (Details Below).

Application Guidelines:

• Grantees must use the challenge grant funds to support firearms shooting sports activities.
• Fundraising is an integral part of long-term planning; therefore, all fundraising matches must be used towards firearms shooting sports activities.
• All awarded funds must be used toward the purchase of equipment and/or supplies for BSA Council firearms shooting sports activities from a NSSF Member Retailer. A complete listing of NSSF Member Retailers can be viewed at (nssf.org/wheretobuy) (Examples of qualifying purchases are: ammunition, eye protection, ear protection, firearms, targets, shooting vests, firearm safes, etc.)
• Qualifying grant applications will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis until total grant funding is exhausted.
• The project must be completed by February 25, 2019.
• A final report must be sent to NSSF by March 15, 2019. (Download the Final Report Template)

How to apply:

Download the Application PDF and Grant Worksheet and submit according to guidelines. Grant applications will be accepted until all challenge grant funds are exhausted. Completed applications can be sent via email, fax or mail to:

National Shooting Sports Foundation
Attn: BSA Grant
11 Mile Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470-2359
agamauf@nssf.org
Phone: 203-426-1320
Fax: 203-426-1087

We applaud the NSSF in supporting Boy Scout marksmanship training. We need more programs that offer firearms handling and safety instruction to young people. Unfortunately, in some jurisdictions, gun-phobic politicians have sponsored legislation that would make it more difficult for Scout training programs to acquire ammunition or to conduct shooting clinics on public land. Hopefully, with the support of organizations such as the NSSF, we’ll continue to see young Scouts earning their Rifle Shooting Merit badges for many years to come.

CLICK HERE for Boy Scout Rifle Shooting Merit Badge Requirements