NSSF Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Program

PROGRAM PURPOSE:

In partnership with the Hunting Heritage Trust, NSSF has created a million-dollar grant program in support of hunting and shooting sports recruitment, retention and reactivation efforts, known as R3. NSSF again will be place emphasis on programs that focus on increasing participation by attracting new participants and reactivating past participants.

WHO MAY APPLY?

Only project proposals submitted by and in the name of non-governmental organizations (NGO) shall be eligible for funding under the Grant Program. Project proposals from organizations other than non-governmental organizations (NGO) will not be accepted.

HOW MUCH GRANT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?

A total of $100,000 will be available to qualified NGOs for the purpose of supporting projects/programs designed to recruit, retain and reactive (R3) hunting and shooting sports participants. Programs will be considered that are emphasizing and supporting initiatives to provide shooting sports and hunting opportunities with a focus on an incremental increase of both new and past participants. The amount of funding that selected applicants may be awarded shall be at the sole discretion of National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). NSSF reserves the right to suspend and/or terminate the Grant Program, adjust the total amount of funding available under the Program and correct any errors made in awarding Program funds, at any time.

The following types of projects are not eligible for Grant Program funding:

a. Projects including activities other than hunting and target shooting with a firearm.

b. Projects that involve building new or improving existing structures.

c. Youth dove/pheasant hunts.

d. Salaries of employees and other overhead expenses.

e. All other projects that are not directly related to the above-stated project eligibility requirements as determined by the NSSF.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

  • Grantees must use all granted funds to support the Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Program specific to shooting sports and hunting activities.
  • Grant funds shall not be used for any unrelated, unnecessary or indirect expenses.
  • All grant applications must be submitted to NSSF by May 10, 2024, for consideration.
  • All projects must be completed by March 10, 2025.
  • Midterm progress reports shall be due by October 25, 2024.
  • Final written reports shall be due March 14, 2025.
  • Be advised that grant awards shall be disbursed as follows: 50% after June 7, 2024, contingent upon NSSF receipt of signed agreement; the remaining 50% within a reasonable time following NSSF’s receipt and satisfactory review of both Grantee’s progress and final written reports.

HOW TO APPLY:

** Grant proposals must be received by NSSF no later than 5pm (EST) on May 10, 2024

Download the Guidelines for the Grant Program and Grant Proposal Outline and submit according to guidelines.

Proposals may be submitted in electronic format as follows:

  • Proposal sent by email in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Proposals must be sent to:

Melanie Knox
Email: [email protected]

Selected grant recipients shall be notified via email during the first week of June.

Proposal Review and Selection Process

Grant awards are not final and shall be non-binding on the NSSF until written contracts are signed with grant recipients. Grant proposals shall be evaluated for eligibility and ranked by a committee of the NSSF. Awards shall only be made to applicants with proposals that comply with all RFP guidelines and who, in the sole judgment of the NSSF, propose activities that best promote hunting and shooting sports recruitment, retention and reactivation objectives through non-endemic participants i.e. non-traditional. (All decisions of NSSF are final and non- reviewable.)

Grant recipients shall be required to sign a written Grants Condition Acknowledgement Agreement with the NSSF immediately following notification of acceptance. Grant recipients shall also be required to execute and submit all other necessary documentation (e.g., reports) as directed during the term of the grant to ensure their commitment to the Grant Program.

The NSSF reserves the right, at any time, to cancel or amend this Review and Selection Process, reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, waive minor irregularities in proposals, or to allow applicants to correct minor irregularities, if the best interests of the Grant Program will be served by doing so.