Thirty-nine years, thousands of events, millions of generous NRA members and, now, one billion. Those are the incredible numbers behind the Friends of NRA program, which has just hit a truly remarkable milestone: one billion dollars in gross revenue raised for The NRA Foundation. While we’re on the subject of amazing numbers, now is a great time to remind you that Friends of NRA has been 100 percent grassroots-fueled, with more than 7,000 volunteers at the time of this writing.
The Friends of NRA began, like so many great ideas, with Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA fame. Although nobody could have envisioned what Friends of NRA would become back at that very first event in 1992, the printed program for that evening contains a Statement of Purpose, which still rings true today:
“The ‘Friends of NRA’ grass roots fund-raising program is designed to affirm and introduce the rights and privileges of lawful gun ownership to hometown America. True to the tradition of the original town meetings and organized by community volunteers from every walk of life, these events will provide participants an opportunity to stand up for the Second Amendment and enjoy the camaraderie of other law-abiding gun owners. Proceeds from these fund-raising events will be used at the local, state and national level to perpetuate firearms ownership for hunting, shooting, collecting, home protection and other legal uses.”
The way the Friends of NRA program works is that half of the funds raised are granted back into communities across the country to support local program areas like youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, high school shooting sports clubs and range programs. The other half helps The NRA Foundation support programs at the national level.
Says NRA Office of Advancement Executive Director Tyler Schropp, “Congratulations, once more, to everyone who has worked so hard to build the Friends of NRA program into what it is today. Nothing about raising $1 billion is easy! But the future of the Second Amendment is a worthy motivator and the next generation of Americans deserves the same freedoms we enjoy today.”
The real impact of Friends of NRA can’t be overstated, but getting involved is simplicity itself. Click here to find an event near you. Find your local committee, become a volunteer or attend an event, and be a part of the next $1 billion raised for the future of the shooting sports.
