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.
