Since 1990, The NRA Foundation has awarded over $509 million through more than 65,000 grants to support firearms education and the shooting sports. These grants empower organizations across the country to build safer communities and stronger programs by providing the essential resources they need to thrive.
Each year, The NRA Foundation allocates half of all net Friends of NRA event proceeds for use within the state in which they were raised. Local State Fund Committees comprised of Friends of NRA volunteers review applications and make recommendations on how funding is distributed. The remaining half is reserved for The NRA Foundation to fund national-level programs like Youth and Women’s Programs, Range Services, Education & Training, Eddie Eagle, Law Enforcement, Competitive Shooting, and the National Firearms Museum.
According to Ruthann Sprague, Assistant Director of Grant Outreach & Strategy of The NRA Foundation, “In 2024, $8.6 million was awarded to qualified nonprofit organizations through The NRA Foundation State Fund Grant Program. Often, an NRA Foundation State Fund Grant means a youth team has the ability to train and compete, and without the award the program would have been cut.”
Notable 2025 Grant Highlights
- Boy Scouts of America (BSA) – Over 140 local councils received grant support
- 4-H Youth Development Programs – Over 600 local 4-H clubs benefited
- Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) – Over 200 school units supported
- Future Farmers of America (FFA) – More than 50 agricultural education programs funded
- Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) – Over 100 competitive shooting teams awarded grants
- Hunting-Related Education and Outreach Programs – Over 100 programs received support
- National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) – 58 school-based archery programs received grants
Equipment and Supplies Awarded Nationwide:
- Over 1,100 firearms, including 500 rimfire rifles and 450 shotguns
- 5.9 million rounds of rimfire ammunition and 6.3 million shotgun shells (equivalent to 25,000+ cases)
- Nearly 1,400 airguns, along with 4.2 million pellets and 2 million+ BBs
- 939 bows and more than 23,000 arrows
- Over $575,000 in archery supplies distributed
- 70,000 paper targets, 500 kneeling rolls, and 500 shooting mats for range use
- 48 new trap machines and 71 firearm storage safes (gun cabinets)
- 237 trauma kits, 10,000 pairs of safety glasses, and nearly 1,000 earmuffs for safety and training
A snapshot of a few grants The NRA Foundation has awarded this year:
- Karnes City 4-H Council (TX) – Part of Texas 4-H, Inc., the council received over $4,560 in grant merchandise and funding support to enhance their shooting sports programs.
- Carmi Rifle Club (IL) – Located in Carmi, Illinois, the club was awarded more than $2,700 in grant merchandise along with a cash grant to purchase additional ammunition. The funding will support an upcoming women’s shooting event with an expected attendance of 25 participants.
- Durham County Wildlife Club & Sir Walter Gun Club (NC) – These two North Carolina-based clubs, located in Morrisville and Creedmoor respectively, were jointly awarded $2,391 for ammunition to support a Women on Target clinic in the Eastern NC region.
- USA Shooting - Over the past three years, thanks to Friends of NRA fundraising, the NRA Foundation has proudly awarded $752,000 to USA Shooting, fueling the development of future champions.
These examples represent just a glimpse of the many grants awarded over the past year. Nonprofits and organizations nationwide are encouraged to begin planning now. Grant season is coming…discover the good your application could do!
Applications open August 4th for the 2026 award cycle. Review frequently asked questions about the Grant Application process here.
