GRANTS

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation awarded $400,000 to the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to fund three state-led projects in Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming aimed at conserving big game seasonal habitat and migration corridors. Projects include sagebrush habitat enhancement, shrubsteppe restoration, and moose GPS collar tracking along the Green River.

Whitetails Unlimited granted $128,868 to mission-related projects in Minnesota last fiscal year through its 30 state chapters. The majority of grants support the Staying on Target program, which advances shooting sports through partnerships with NASP, SCTP, S3DA, and USA Clay Target League.

The MidwayUSA Foundation announced over $7.5 million in cash grants to youth shooting teams and organizations nationwide. The endowment-based program supports essential expenses like ammunition, targets, and travel costs, with Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin leading in grant recipients.

Ducks Unlimited received a $1.2 million grant from New York's Water Quality Improvement Project program to restore 805 acres of wetland habitat over three years. In partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the project will enhance the Montezuma Wetland Complex and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area near Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Whitetails Unlimited granted $184,916 to mission-related projects in Mississippi through 19 state chapters, supporting outdoor education, habitat enhancement, and hunting and shooting sports preservation. The organization's Preserving the Hunting Tradition Program provides grants to increase access and opportunity for veterans and youth hunters.

Whitetails Unlimited granted $8,137 to the Arkansas County 4-H Foundation's Dewitt Chapter, with primary funding supporting the trap team program serving 80 youth. The grant supports Whitetails Unlimited's Staying on Target Program, which promotes shooting sports education and preserves hunting traditions for future generations.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $343,985 in grants through MassWildlife's Habitat Management Grant Program to seven organizations including the Alford Land Trust, Trustees of Reservations, Buzzards Bay Coalition, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Nantucket Island Land Bank, and Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation to restore over 191 acres of wildlife habitat across Massachusetts.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded $12.5 million to 30 partner-led conservation projects in the Delaware River watershed. The grants will generate $17 million in matching contributions for a total $29.3 million investment to restore habitats, improve water quality, and enhance public access across Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

Whitetails Unlimited granted $1,490,728 to mission-related projects in Q4 2025 across four pillar programs: Outdoor Education, Hunting Preservation, Habitat Enhancement, and Shooting Sports Advancement. The organization supports hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation initiatives for youth, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources received a $49,377 grant from the Community Amenities Program to construct a 3D archery range with 25 target stations and a 1.5-mile walking trail at Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area near North Webster, with completion expected by mid-2026.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has opened applications for the Upper Peninsula's Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative with a doubled budget of $200,000. The program, now in its 18th year, supports deer habitat enhancement on private lands with grant requests ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 and a required 25% match.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved over $2.6 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants and Recreational Trails Program funding for projects across Nebraska communities, including park improvements, trail development, and the Nebraska State Snowmobile Association's educational programs for the 2026 International Snowmobile Congress.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation awarded nearly $40,000 in grants to USA Clay Target League programs across 28 states, with an additional grant for the USAHSCTL National Championship. RMEF President Kyle Weaver stated the grants support the League's mission of introducing youth to outdoor shooting sports. The League serves over 55,000 participants across nearly 2,000 high schools and colleges nationwide.

The Mule Deer Foundation received a $744,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to expand habitat restoration and wildlife connectivity across the Northern Great Plains. The funding supports the Great Plains Initiative, which collaborates with private landowners and agencies to improve rangeland health and benefit mule deer, pronghorn, greater sage-grouse, and grassland birds.

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, announces the recipients of its Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (Yamaha OAI) third quarter 2025 grants, awarding more than $155,000 to eight organizations across eight states.

Following up on 13 priority Reservoir projects funded in 2024 through a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund grant, the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP), was grateful to receive another $500,000.00 Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund Grant in 2025 to fund habitat conservation projects in nine priority reservoirs, identified by the Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership, across the U.S.

The 2026 Vermont Watershed Grants Program is now accepting applications for projects that protect, restore and enhance the state's lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds, including Vermonters’ ability to understand and enjoy these treasures. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday February 4, 2026.

Through the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a pass-through partner for the Urban Forestry Development grants for communities.

Whitetails Unlimited awarded $258,079 in grants this past fiscal year in the state of Wisconsin. The majority of these grants fell in WTU's Staying on Target Program, supporting shooting and archery teams such as NASP, S3DA, Scholastic Clay Target Program, and USA Clay Target League.

Whitetails Unlimited issued grants totaling $1,122,189 fostering their Staying on Target Program this past fiscal year. Staying on Target grants included those awarded for shooting range development and improvements, safe shooting initiatives, and shooting and archery teams such as NASP, S3DA, and USA Clay Target League.