The National BSA Foundation and Scoutreach Collaborative

The National BSA Foundation and Scoutreach Collaborative

Grant Proposal Guidelines

Larry and Brenda Potterfield

BSA Shooting Sports Grants

Grant Requirements

Grants from The Larry and Brenda Potterfield BSA Shooting Sports program (“Potterfield Grants”) are available only to local councils of the Boy Scouts of America that submit, by deadline, a completed PotterfieldGrant Application. Applicationsare posted online at under the “Grant Opportunities” tab, and available from the BSA Foundation.*

Grant Purpose and Size

The purpose of the PotterfieldGrants is to:a) significantly increase the number of shooting-related merit badges and achievements by youth members; and b)significantly increase the number of shooting experiences for council’s total available youth.

Approximately $500,000 in grants may be awarded to help fund council events and activities in 2013. We anticipate distributing around 20 grants with an average grant size of $25,000. Grants are one-year grants, though grantees may apply for additional grants in subsequent years. This program does not currently fund multi-year grant proposals.

Recommended Use of Grants

In general, thePotterfield Grant focus is on helpingyoung people gain more experience, confidence, and expertise in gun safety and shooting sports. Preference is given to proposals for thefinancial support of council events, activities, camps, programs, or initiatives to increase shooting opportunities for youth and help them earn shooting sport-related Merit Badges.

*Note that the PotterfieldGrant programis different from the National Shooting Sports Foundation grants, also offered by the BSA.

Grant funds may be used for, but are not limited to: ammunition; guns; targets; gun cleaning and maintenance supplies; eye and hearing protection supplies; awards; staff or facilities dedicated to and used for shooting sports; target ranges, program or event supplies and costs; entry fees and travel expenses for Scouts to attend approved shooting competitions; other funding needs as may be described in the grant proposal. Proposals to fund general council operating needs or youth membership fees will not be considered.

GRANT APPLICATION

In completing the Grant Application, you should include the following information:

  • Projected impact on number of shooting experiences and relevant Merit Badges;
  • Quality of past council shooting sports activities, events, and programs;
  • Plans and strategy to sustain, fund, and grow activities and programs that are funded by a Potterfield Grant;
  • Expected goals, objectives, results, and measurement of success;
  • What, if anything, is unique, creative, or innovative about it;
  • Plans to market and promote the event/activity/programthrough the council’s website, as well as social media presence and platforms.

Supplemental project information, materials, and narratives are optional, and should be brief if included.

Deadline for Proposal

All PotterfieldGrant Applications must be mailed and postmarked,or emailed, to the BSA Foundation bySEPTEMBER 30, 2012. Late or incomplete proposals not corrected by this date are ineligible for consideration for this year.

The Larry and Brenda Potterfield BSAShooting Sports Grant Committee meets in October 2012 to review and select grant recipients. Councils selected for the grants are notified by November15th, 2012; funding will be distributed in February 2013.

Evaluation of Grant Effectiveness

Councils receiving a PotterfieldGrant will receive – and are expected to complete – a Grant Impact Report describing the results, success, lessons learned, and program impact from the Grant. Councils selected for funding receive both a hard copy and an e-version of the Report at the time they receive the grant.

BSA Foundation, 1325 W. Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX 75015-2079

Or: 972.580.22191

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