Columbia, MO – MidwayUSA Foundation is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its recent grant cycle, resulting in a total payout of over $7.5 million to youth shooting teams and organizations nationwide. These dollars ensure that the next generation of athletes has the necessary resources to compete, grow, and succeed in the shooting sports.
These annual cash grants provide vital funding for essential expenses, including targets, ammunition, and travel costs for regional and national championships. By providing consistent, sustainable support, the MidwayUSA Foundation helps teams overcome the financial barriers that often hinder youth sports programs. "Our cash grant program is designed to put resources directly into the hands of the teams and organizations that need them most," said Pete Eisentrager, MidwayUSA Foundation Executive Director. "Whether a team is just starting out or competing at a national level, these funds provide a reliable foundation for their success."
Unlike traditional youth sports that rely on annual school budgets or one-off fundraisers, the MidwayUSA Foundation utilizes an endowment model to ensure youth shooting programs receive vital funding for the life of the program. Each year, teams and organizations are eligible to draw 5% of their total balance, creating a permanent source of income. Furthermore, the Foundation incentivizes local fundraising by offering a donation matching program for teams that can double the impact of every dollar raised in their community.
While teams across the country benefited from this cycle, four states led the nation in total grant recipients and dollars paid:
- Minnesota
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Wisconsin
MidwayUSA Foundation offers two grant cycles per year. The next application window will open on April 15, with payouts scheduled for August. Every team or organization with a MidwayUSA Foundation endowment is entitled to a cash grant every year, forever. Youth shooting sports programs that do not currently have an endowment are encouraged to start one at no cost. For more information on starting an endowment or to view the full list of 2026 recipients, visit MidwayUSAFoundation.org/start-team-endowment/.
MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow youth shooting sports by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation is tax-deductible and allows the Foundation to assist in expanding and enhancing the leadership skills, confidence, and discipline of today's youth through shooting sports activities. 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 call 1-877-375-4570.