Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Program

The NSSF Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Program is a philanthropic initiative developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) in collaboration with the Hunting Heritage Trust. This grant program, supported by a total funding pool of $100,000, is designed to strengthen and expand efforts that support the recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunting and shooting sports participants. The program reflects NSSF’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of hunting and target shooting by investing in strategies that effectively engage both new and returning participants. As a national leader in promoting shooting sports, NSSF brings strategic direction and oversight to ensure that funded projects are aligned with its broader goals of industry growth and participant outreach. Eligible applicants for this program are exclusively limited to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The program specifically excludes any proposals submitted by or in the name of government entities. This targeted eligibility criterion ensures that funding supports community-based, mission-driven NGOs with the capacity to create grassroots impact in hunting and shooting sports participation. Project proposals must demonstrate a direct alignment with the R3 model, emphasizing the ability to attract new participants and reactivate past ones. Importantly, projects involving activities beyond firearm-based hunting and target shooting, infrastructure development, employee salaries, or overhead are considered ineligible for funding. The grant guidelines clearly articulate these restrictions to maintain the program’s focus on direct participant engagement. Applicants are expected to submit comprehensive proposals that follow a structured format, including a summary statement, narrative detailing mission and objectives, a timeline with key project milestones, an evaluation component, and a detailed budget. The narrative should demonstrate how the applicant’s organizational mission supports hunting and shooting sports and should lay out measurable objectives to track success. The proposal must also outline the planned approach, monitoring and assessment methods, and strategies to engage stakeholders. Each project must be scheduled to conclude no later than February 8, 2027. The program emphasizes integration with existing initiatives and expects grant-funded activities to be sustainable and impactful. The review and selection process is conducted by an internal NSSF committee. Proposals are assessed for eligibility and scored based on how effectively they promote R3 objectives, especially through outreach to non-traditional or non-endemic participant groups. Successful applicants must enter into a Grant Conditions Acknowledgement Agreement with NSSF and comply with all required reporting and documentation throughout the grant term. The selection process is final and decisions are non-reviewable. NSSF retains full discretion to modify, suspend, or terminate the program or individual awards at any time. Applications must be submitted in full through the designated online portal. Incomplete applications cannot be saved for later editing, and once submitted, they become final. No pre-application stages such as letters of intent or concept papers are required, and there are no intermediate review gates. Applicants are advised to prepare all materials in advance to ensure a successful submission. The final deadline for proposal submissions is April 17, 2026. This grant is not recurring, and there is no indication of an annual or future cycle beyond this round. Proposals will only be accepted from U.S.-based NGOs, and the program scope appears to be national without any specific geographic restrictions. However, grant awards are contingent on the signing of contracts and compliance with NSSF’s standards. All grants are subject to final approval, and NSSF reserves the right to reject any proposal that does not meet its criteria or strategic objectives.