National Shooting Sports Month: Celebrating Participation and Investing in the Future of Youth Shooting Sports
August is National Shooting Sports Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate the traditions, opportunities, and communities that make the shooting sports so impactful. Whether you're introducing a first-time shooter to the range, coaching a youth team, volunteering at competitions, or mentoring the next generation, every opportunity to participate helps strengthen the future of our sport.
This August also marks another incredible milestone for the MidwayUSA Foundation. The Foundation will distribute $3.2 million in cash grants to youth shooting teams across the country, bringing the total amount of cash grants awarded to more than $96.4 million since its inception. In 2026 alone, the Foundation has distributed more than $16 million in cash grants, helping youth shooting teams across the nation continue to provide safe, educational, and competitive opportunities for young athletes.
That investment represents far more than a dollar amount. It reflects thousands of young athletes gaining access to equipment, ammunition, range fees, coaching, travel opportunities, and experiences that help them develop confidence, discipline, responsibility, and lifelong skills.
Behind every successful youth shooting team is a network of dedicated coaches, volunteers, parents, and supporters who work tirelessly to provide opportunities for young athletes. Annual cash grants are among the most valuable resources available to help those teams continue to grow and thrive.
Every Eligible Team Should Apply
One of the most important things teams can do each year is submit a grant application through the MidwayUSA Foundation. Grant funding is designed to help youth shooting programs continue their mission of developing safe, skilled, and responsible athletes.
Even teams that have received funding in the past should continue applying annually. Every grant cycle represents another opportunity to invest in your athletes and strengthen your program for the future.
The next grant application cycle opens October 15, giving teams plenty of time to prepare the information they'll need. Mark the date on your calendar now and encourage other eligible youth shooting programs in your community to do the same. The Foundation's goal is to see even more teams take advantage of this opportunity during the upcoming grant cycle.
If you're unsure whether your team is eligible to apply, don't hesitate to ask. The MidwayUSA Foundation team is ready to help guide you through the process. You can email info@midwayusafoundation.org or contact your Regional Program Manager to determine your eligibility and answer any questions before the application period opens.
Growing the Future Together
National Shooting Sports Month reminds us that participation fuels the future of our sport. Every new athlete, volunteer, coach, donor, and supporter helps ensure that shooting sports remain strong for generations to come.
If you're involved with a youth shooting team, now is the perfect time to celebrate your accomplishments, recruit new participants, and begin preparing for the next MidwayUSA Foundation grant cycle. Together, we can continue building opportunities that introduce more young people to safe, responsible shooting sports while providing the resources they need to succeed.
As the MidwayUSA Foundation continues investing millions of dollars into youth shooting sports each year, one thing is clear: investing in young athletes today creates stronger teams, stronger communities, and a brighter future for the shooting sports tomorrow.
