Indiana Shooting Range Grant Program

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting Letter of Intnent for its Indiana Shooting Range Grant Program. Donor Name: Indiana Department of Natural Resources State: Indiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 10/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding for the Department of Natural Resources Shooting Range grant program comes from the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Program which is commonly called the Pittman Robertson (P-R) Program, and from a federal excise tax on rifles, shotguns, handguns, ammunition, and archery equipment. Funds are apportioned to state fish and wildlife agencies based on the number of hunting license holders and each state’s size in relation to the other states. Because of the need for local shooting opportunities in Indiana, the Division of Fish & Wildlife has made some of these funds available to local units of government and not-for-profit corporations for shooting range development. The Department of Natural Resources Shooting Range grant program is an assistance program for the development of rifle, handgun, shotgun, and archery facilities. The program has two main objectives: Increase public recreational shooting opportunities Train hunter education students Funding Priorities Indiana DNR receives multiple grant requests each year; therefore, the following funding priorities were established to focus funding efforts:  Projects that engage with new partners and serve new and diverse user groups  Range development or construction where there are no similar amenities within 20 miles  Projects that actively encourage the recruitment, retention and reactivation of hunters and sport shooters  Shooting ranges that emphasize education and safety. Type of Projects Projects will be eligible for funding if they develop rifle, handgun, shotgun firing, or archery opportunities for public use. Eligible types of development facilities include: backstops berms target holders baffles gun racks signage field courses benches trap and skeet houses platforms sanitary facilities classrooms protective fencing storage areas shelters parking lots accessible pathways support facilities. Eligible Projects Eligible program costs may include but are not limited to:  Archery range construction or improvement  Backstops and berms  Target holders and reusable targets, such as archery targets  Shooting benches and other shooting lane improvements Trap throwing equipment  Improvement to indoor range facilities  New construction of archery or firearms ranges  Restroom facilities  Parking areas Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements for funding consideration:  The shooting range must be open to the public a minimum of 20 hours per month. Shooting ranges that offer memberships are still eligible if they meet the public access requirements.  Shooting ranges on land owned by governmental bodies (such as city/county/state parks) and shooting ranges on land owned by a private entity or group are both eligible to apply. Organizations applying for shooting range grants must be registered as nonprofit entities with the State of Indiana.  All repairs or new construction, whether indoors or outdoors, must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Examples of eligible applicants include but are not limited to:  Indiana counties, towns, villages, and cities  Nonprofit colleges and universities  Other Indiana governmental units  Conservation organizations or associations Ineligibility Funds in pass-through grant arrangements may not be used for acquiring land  Operating expenses, such as salaries, maintenance of range (mowing, cleaning, trash removal), and similar expenses  Law enforcement activities  Activities conducted for the primary purpose of producing income  Activities, projects, or programs that encourage opposition to regulated taking of fish, hunting, or trapping of wildlife Funds in pass-through grant arrangements may not be used for acquiring land  Operating expenses, such as salaries, maintenance of range (mowing, cleaning, trash removal), and similar expenses  Law enforcement activities  Activities conducted for the primary purpose of producing income  Activities, projects, or programs that encourage opposition to regulated taking of fish, hunting, or trapping of wildlife. For more information, visit Indiana Department of Natural Resources.