Indiana Shooting Range Grant Program

The Indiana Shooting Range Grant Program is administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources through its Division of Fish and Wildlife, with federal oversight from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program is funded through the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Program, commonly referred to as the Pittman Robertson Program, which derives revenue from federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. These funds are apportioned to state agencies based on hunting license participation and geographic considerations, and Indiana allocates a portion of its share to support local shooting range development projects that enhance public access and safety. The primary purpose of the program is to expand public recreational shooting opportunities and support hunter education initiatives. Projects funded through this program are intended to develop or improve facilities for rifle, handgun, shotgun, and archery use. The program prioritizes projects that engage new and diverse user groups, provide facilities in underserved areas lacking similar amenities within a defined radius, and promote recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters and sport shooters. Emphasis is also placed on projects that incorporate safety and educational components. Eligible uses of funding include construction and improvement of shooting range infrastructure such as backstops, berms, target holders, shooting benches, trap houses, restroom facilities, parking areas, classrooms, and accessible pathways. All funded facilities must comply with accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act and must be designed for inclusive public use without discrimination. However, funds may not be used for land acquisition, operational expenses such as maintenance or salaries, law enforcement activities, or projects primarily intended to generate income. Projects on leased land are eligible only if the lease duration aligns with the expected useful life of the facility, typically around twenty years. Funding is structured as a reimbursement program rather than an upfront grant. Awardees must initially cover all project expenses and then submit invoices to receive reimbursement for up to ninety percent of eligible costs. Applicants are required to provide a minimum match of ten percent of total project costs, which may include cash or in kind contributions such as labor, equipment, or donated materials. Federal funds cannot be used to meet this matching requirement. In addition, applicants must demonstrate financial readiness by having a portion of project costs available at the time of application. Eligibility is limited to units of government and nonprofit organizations that are open to the public for at least twenty hours per month. This includes cities, counties, nonprofit colleges and universities, conservation organizations, and other governmental entities within Indiana. Facilities must remain open for public use throughout the useful life of the project, and grant recipients are responsible for ongoing operation and maintenance. Failure to meet these long term obligations may result in repayment of grant funds. The application process includes a structured, multi stage timeline beginning with a required Letter of Intent due on October first. Selected applicants are invited to submit a full application by March first, with award notifications typically issued by July first and project implementation beginning thereafter. The Letter of Intent requires detailed information including project purpose, need, objectives, anticipated benefits, site conditions, and a proposed budget including the matching contribution. Applicants are encouraged to consult with program staff prior to submission, and the program contact is Sam Whiteleather at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, though funding availability may vary each year based on federal allocations and program demand.

Align project with funding priorities such as underserved areas safety education and new partnerships; clearly demonstrate public access and impact