We at MidwayUSA Foundation are excited to again step up to assist the needs of the youth shooting sports industry. The newly launched Range Development Grant Program is providing $500,000 to 26 organizations that will work closely with shooting ranges and facilities to make improvements and expansions that will allow for more youth-oriented activities. Combined, the grant funds will add nearly 500 additional youth shooting events. The overwhelming requests for these competitive funds prove the need to create more opportunities for young shooting athletes is prominent in the industry.
“A fundamental need of a shooting team is a place to shoot,” said MidwayUSA Foundation Executive Director, G. Scott Reynolds. He continued, “Being on a youth shooting team provides these young adults the chance to be part of something that teaches responsibility, safety, focus, confidence, and leadership…all while learning a skill and making friends. It is exciting to have the opportunity to fulfill another need in the world of youth shooting sports through our Range Development grants.”
Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation holds an Agency Endowment with MidwayUSA Foundation and received $37,500 in grant funds that will benefit range improvements at Remington Gun Club, Lonoke, AR. Jon Zinnel, Conservation Program Manager for Remington Ammunition, spoke about receiving range development funds.
“Remington Ammunition looks forward to hosting thousands of youth shooters from across the nation for future events at our gun club. Without this grant from the MidwayUSA Foundation and the support of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, building this new sporting clays course wouldn’t have been possible.”
Applications for special purpose grants, like Range Development and Coach Training, will be accepted annually. Youth shooting programs interested in improving their respective range should work closely with that range to complete the grant application. While the Range Development grants are meant for MidwayUSA Foundation endowment holders, certain non-endowment holding organizations, primarily conservation groups and colleges/universities, may apply if they are directly benefiting local youth shooting teams and their associated range development grant will enable more youth to become involved in the youth shooting sports.