USA Shooting Seeks Applications for Athlete Endowment Grants

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USA Shooting and the Bunker Club established the Colonel D.D. Behrens Athlete Endowment Fund to create a reliable and predictable cash flow to fund developing athletes to ensure that United States teams remain strong in the face of increasing competition from other countries.

2018 Athlete Endowment Deadline – January 30, 2018

In 2005 the Athlete Endowment Fund was established by Colonel D.D. Behrens with the intention of awarding grants to shooting sport athletes to help offset the cost of competitions, equipment, ammunition, travel and training in hopes of maintaining USA Shooting’s competitive excellence well into the future.  The goal of the endowment is to build a strong foundation of USA Shooting athletes by assisting with development of their shooting skills needed to become high-level competitors and Olympians.

In 2015, eighteen athletes were the first grant recipients from the endowment.  Since then the number of athletes receiving grants have doubled.  As the endowment continues to grow with the help of generous donors, the number of athletes impacted will continue to rise.

The goals of the Athlete Endowment are already being realized with several success stories from awardees, including 2016 Olympic champion Ginny Thrasher and Junior Olympic Champion Will Shaner.

Recognizing the need for USA Shooting to build its own base of financial support, Col. D.D.Behrens started fundraising within a small inner-circle of hunting buddies which has now blossomed into a very loyal and dedicated group.  The Bunker Club was established at a time when USAS was in a tight financial position.  There was an immediate need to replace bunker trap machines at the International Shotgun Range in Colorado Springs.  The Bunker Club members successfully raised $200,000 to complete the project.

After the initial fundraising task was completed, Bunker Club members then decided to make a long-term commitment to USA Shooting athletes.  They set forth to establish an endowment of $3 million in which, to date, have successfully raised $1.7 million.  Their continued support of athletes is amazing, and we are forever grateful.

To build on this level of achievement, USA Shooting must create a strong base of financial support to ensure that our athletes can not only compete successfully in the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also to build an athlete base and opportunity for young shooters to achieve success into the future.

The Athlete Endowment will award athletes with grants to help cover training, competition expenses, equipment, ammunition, and travel.  Payments will be made for eligible expenses on a reimbursement by receipt basis during same calendar year as awarded grant.

Application criteria are as follows:

  • Applicants must have a current USA Shooting event classification;
  • Demonstrated potential in both skill and commitment are required;
  • Applicant must be a USA Shooting member, click here for membership.
  • Members of the National Team, Development Team or National Junior Team (past or present) are not eligible for Endowment grants.
  • Members of the Junior Olympic Squad (Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun) may apply for grants.
  • Members of the USA Shooting Team who are already receiving financial assistance are not eligible for endowment grants.

Instructions

USA Shooting
Attn: Patsy Woods
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

For more information or if you have any questions or comments please contact: resourcedevelopment@usashooting.org or call 719-866-4883.

SKB Renews SCTP Sponsorship in 2018

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The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) announces its continued support from SKB Shotguns out of Omaha Nebraska. SKB known for its fine side by side, over/under and single barrel competitive shotguns will once again support the SCTP as a Gold Level Sponsor for 2018. SKB offers a wide variety of quality firearms that fit the competitive shooter and hunter alike!

“We are pleased to support the SCTP and its national youth program!” remarked Rob Johansen, owner and CEO of SKB Shotguns. “The SCTP gives back to its teams and coaches in many ways, we are extremely happy to be part of this quality program and its teams, athletes and coaches.”

“Rob Johansen and SKB have been a strong supporter of SCTP and our national youth program for years” said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. “They offer quality firearms at a good price for our youth shooters and are not only sponsors of our program, they are partners with us! We appreciate all of their continued support of youth shooting.”

Look for Rob and the SKB team at SCTP Regional, state and National Championship events during the 2018 shooting year. They have a gun for almost every budget and dealers across the country that would love to work with you! Coaches, SKB also has a wonderful team raffle program available to all SCTP Teams!

Are you or your company interested in supporting the largest competitive youth shooting program in the world? Download the 2018 SCTP Media Guide to see all sponsorship options or contact Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director at twondrash@sssfonline.com

Over $400,000 to SCTP & SASP Teams Through Vision 20/20

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The 2017 Vision 20/20 campaign is in the books and has raised the bar for Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) local team fundraising efforts. Participating teams raised a total of $134,706 from October through December for the 2017 campaign. Through these fundraising efforts, participating teams receive a total of $59,241 in cash grants from the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation and a MidwayUSA Foundation team endowment account benefit of $353,697! Total SCTP and SASP team benefit for the 2017 campaign is $412,938!

“Our teams worked hard and were creative on this campaign to generate donations and at the same time promote awareness about the positive benefits of youth shooting sports in their community,” said Ben Berka, President and Executive Director of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation. “One team sent in $10,000 generated from a simple tip-jar at their host gun club! Another small-town team solicited only local businesses and received over $7,500 in donations with the average donation being $345! Others did email solicitation campaigns and social media efforts to reach team supporters near and far.”

Vision 20/20 provides local SCTP and SASP teams with a way to raise funds locally and provides cash needs for today through an SSSF cash grant in January 2018 and funding needs for perpetuity via donations to SCTP and SASP team endowment accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation. For every ten dollars received by the team, the team receives a cash grant of $5 and up to $25 to their team endowment account through generous match funding.

The donations and matching funds from SSSF to MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Accounts established to benefit SCTP and SASP member-teams are made possible, in part, by grants to the SSSF from the Tulsa Community Foundation Youth Shooting Fund established and funded by the generosity of Larry and Brenda Potterfield.

“The generous match funding and the perpetuity of an endowed account was a real driver for local team success in this campaign,” Berka said. “There are not very many community sports teams who can knock on a potential donor’s door and offer match funding for their donation AND guarantee that their donation will be used to support the team FOREVER via an endowed account. Our partnership with the MidwayUSA Foundation helps our SCTP and SASP teams do just that!”

The Team Endowment Program at the MidwayUSA Foundation gives a community the ability to financially support a competitive youth shooting sports program at the high school and college level. The team can then request a grant of up to 5% of their endowment account balance once each year, in either June or December, to pay for team expenses.  There are no fees associated with a MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment.

About Vision 20/20
The SSSF’s Vision 20/20 campaign is a multi-year fundraising effort started in 2016 with the goal to grow national youth participation in the Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program to over 20,000 student athletes annually by the year 2020. In partnership with industry partners, civic organizations, member teams and donors the SSSF will provide the opportunity and funding for more students to join existing shooting teams and create new teams where none exist today. Please watch www.sssfonline.org/vision2020 for more information on the upcoming 2018 campaign.

See Us At SHOT Show 2018

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The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) will be joining the list of more than 1,600 exhibitors at the 2018 SHOT Show, January 23–26, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.

Representatives from the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) will be on hand to meet with attendees and industry professionals during the show.

SSSF will be exhibiting in BOOTH #2521.

To schedule a meeting with Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director, during the show, e-mail TWondrash@sssfonline.com.

To schedule a meeting with Rick Leach, SASP National Director, during the show, e-mail RLeach@sssfonline.com.

The SHOT Show is the world’s most comprehensive tradeshow for professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. It attracts an impressive 64,000 industry professionals from all 50 U.S. states and more than 100 countries.

The SHOT Show is owned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and is restricted to the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade professionals and commercial buyers and sellers of military, law enforcement and tactical products and services ONLY. The SHOT Show is not open to the general consuming public (e.g., private visitors, hunters, sports shooters, members of hunting and sports shooting clubs, etc.). Proof of professional affiliation is required.

Still Time to Give in 2017!

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Itemize your 2017 tax donations while you still can and help get more kids involved in organized shooting sports! Your tax-deductible donation before January 1st helps establish new Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program teams, and grows existing teams. Our programs are developing youth into the next generation of leaders! See the many ways to donate online at www.sssfonline.org/donate.  New SSSF supporting members receive a Browning two-knife set when joining!

2018 SCTP Regional Championship Dates and Locations

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Save the date for the 2018 Scholastic Clay Target Program Regional Championships! Regional events are a great way for SCTP teams to participate and compete with teams from all across the country. Make plans now to participate in one or more events for fun, camaraderie and some great prizes!

Pre-registration for each event will be available through the SSSF SHOT system as the event dates draw closer.

Henry Repeating Arms Donates “One of Twenty” Big Boy .44 Magnum Edition Rifles to benefit Scholastic Clay Target Program

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In observance of its 20th Anniversary in 2017, Henry Repeating Arms has created a superb, highly collectible “One of Twenty” Edition of its highly popular Big Boy .44 magnum lever action rifle. The “One of Twenty” Edition will feature hand-engraving, AAA-grade American Walnut, special “One of “Twenty” serial numbers and Presentation Walnut Display Cases.

Each of the “One of Twenty” Big Boys has been donated by Henry to an organization working in support of America’s hunting and shooting sports heritage. Each will be auctioned to provide important funding in support of hunting, shooting and conservation in America.

The rifle being auctioned here is Serial Number 20HENRY16 and 100% of auction proceeds will be donated to the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation’s Scholastic Clay Target Program. Serial Number 20HENRY16 will be auctioned on www.GunBroker.com from December 24, 2017 thru January 7, 2018.

“The SCTP/SSSF is very excited and honored to be part of this great support by Henry Repeating Arms, Gunbroker.com and The Hunting Heritage Trust” said Tom Wondrash, the Scholastic Clay Target Programs National Director. “SCTP is the Nation’s leader in the youth clay target shooting sports industry and a big part of the reason is because of groups like these that see and understand what we do! We are not just a youth shooting program, we are a youth development program. Thank you to these great supporters of our heritage and our youth and a special Thank You to Anthony Imperato and Henry for making this happen!

This handsome serial number 20HENRY16 is fully hand engraved just like the hand-engraved 20HENRY01 which recently auctioned on GunBroker.com for $25,225.00!

The engraving on this rifle is by the internationally-known and award-winning Baron Engraving of Trumbull, Connecticut. Baron has provided custom engraving services for most of America’s major firearm manufacturers and hunting and conservation organizations including the Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Rifle Association, U.S. Military Academy at West Point and many others. Baron has also designed and engraved more than 25 one-of-a-kind firearms for the official SHOT Show Auction.

An icon in the firearms industry, Henry Repeating Arms is proudly celebrating 20 years of American manufacturing. Since 1997, Henry Repeating Arms has stood for quality, reliability and has provided award-winning customer service on a personalized level that sets the brand apart. Throughout its history, Henry Repeating Arms has had a steadfast and unwavering commitment to keeping its manufacturing operations in the United States and providing its customers with firearms that are “Made in America or Not Made at All.”

“Over the past two decades, I’ve come to realize that it’s our customers that make Henry the brand it is today,” said Anthony Imperato, President and owner of Henry Repeating Arms. “Henry is a brand that represents many different things for customers from all walks of life. It’s their stories, their passion for Henry and shooting sports that continue to push us to be the best possible firearms manufacturer we can be.”

Supporting the shooting sports has always been at the core of Henry Repeating Arms’ DNA, so Imperato felt it would be fitting to continue that tradition as the company marks its 20th anniversary. Henry has partnered with the Hunting Heritage Trust to auction the  “One of Twenty” Anniversary Edition Big Boy .44 Magnum rifles with 100% of the proceeds going to non-profit organizations working to support hunting, shooting and wildlife conservation in America.

“The incredible, positive impact that these organizations have had on the shooting sports industry is immeasurable and we’re proud to have the opportunity to help fund their work for years to come,” added Imperato. “Collectors and Henry enthusiasts alike will be drawn to the intricate, hand-engraved details these rifles will feature, along with their extraordinary AAA grade American Walnut and special “One of Twenty” Edition serial numbers.”

All rifles in the “One of Twenty” Edition will come with the custom Henry Walnut Wall Display shown in the listing photographs.

The High Bidder for each “One of Twenty” rifle will receive a signed “Certificate of Authenticity” from Henry Repeating Arms President Anthony Imperato certifying that the rifle was one of only 20 produced in recognition of the company’s 20Th Anniversary was auctioned to raise funds in support of America’s hunting and shooting sports heritage and highlighting the organization that benefited from the auction.

Henry collectors estimate that the “One of Twenty” edition will raise in excess of $100,000.00 for programs in support of America’s hunting and shooting sports heritage.

SSSF Donates Over $547K to Team Endowment Accounts

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The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) recently donated $547,225 to Team Endowment Accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation funding 63 youth shooting teams from 25 states. Funding was earned by Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) teams via participation in team fundraising activities, such as the SSSF’s Vision 20/20 campaign and by placement in recent competition events.

So far in 2017 the SSSF has donated nearly $1.49 million to benefit 378 teams participating in the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) across 38 different states.

The donations from SSSF to MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Accounts established to benefit SCTP and SASP member-teams are made possible, in part, by grants to the SSSF from the Tulsa Community Foundation Youth Shooting Fund established and funded by the generosity of Larry and Brenda Potterfield.

The Team Endowment Program at the MidwayUSA Foundation gives a community the ability to financially support a competitive youth shooting sports program at the high school and college level. The team can then request a grant of up to 5% of their endowment account balance once each year, in either June or December, to pay for team expenses.  There are no fees associated with a MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment.

About MidwayUSA Foundation

The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain the shooting sports industry by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation made is 100% tax deductible and supports the mission to help communities and organizations raise funds to support their youth shooting team. The Foundation supports all shooting disciplines. For more information about how the MidwayUSA Foundation is changing the future of youth shooting sports, please visit midwayusafoundation.org or email info@midwayusafoundation.org.

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