NRA School Shield was introduced in December 2012 as a new initiative focused on improving school security in an effort to help prevent national tragedies at educational institutions in America. Recognizing that school security is a complex issue with no simple, single solution, NRA School Shield is committed to addressing the many facets of school security, including best practices in security infrastructure, technology, personnel, training, and policy. Through this multidimensional effort, NRA School Shield seeks to engage communities and empower leaders to help make our schools more secure.

The NRA Foundation is the nation’s largest charitable organization in support of the shooting sports. In large part through funds raised by the Friends of NRA program, the Foundation has awarded nearly $398 million in grants in support of the National Rifle Association and other shooting sports, firearms, and safety-elated charitable, educational, or scientific programs.

Per its organizing documents, the NRA Foundation was established, in part, to support NRA’s qualified programs, which includes NRA School Shield. As part of the NRA’s bylaws, the purposes and objectives of the organization include the promotion of public safety. This directly relates to the activities of NRA School Shield.

Requests for support should focus on projects and/or activities that facilitate the inclusion and/or enhancement of industry best practices in school security infrastructure, technology, personnel, training, and/or policy.

Examples of past awards include funds to support the following projects and/or activities: perimeter fencing updates and repairs, secured visitor entry systems (door buzzers with security cameras and intercoms), DVR and camera systems, window safety/ security film, immediate response systems/panic buttons, communications systems, training, and emergency kits.

Types of projects and/or activities funded may differ from year to year, depending on NRA School Shield program priorities for that grant cycle.

All applications successfully submitted will first be reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and compliance with IRS and Foundation policies. Applications are then forwarded to the NRA School Shield Grant Committee for consideration, based on application merit and funding availability. Applications are either approved for funding or declined by the NRA School Shield Grant Committee, and applicants are notified accordingly.

Grant recipients are first notified of award approval via email, and then a check is issued directly to the school requesting the funds within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of award notification. Grant funds may only be expended as documented in the grant application. Any unused funds must be returned to the Foundation and may not be retained for alternate use.

The NRA School Shield Grant Program is open to all recognized non-profit and public K-12 schools, including private and parochial schools, meeting IRS requirements.

No – Applicants are not required to be members of or have association with the NRA in order to receive funds under this grant program

Projects and/or activities must begin after notification of grant funding and be completed by June 30, 2023.

Administrative fees, salaries and/or office overhead or other similar charges are not eligible for funding; however, training for staff is eligible.

Funding from previous years does not preclude you from future awards; however, you must submit all outstanding final reports before you can be considered for future awards.

For the 2022 grant period, applications must be received by the Foundation prior to 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 2022. Late applications will not be considered.

Be sure to complete the online NRA School Shield grant application.

No. Only one (1) grant request will be considered per school.

The following pieces of documentation must be submitted with the grant request:

• W9 Form (an IRS W9 form must be completed, signed and dated within the past two years)
• Articles of Incorporation and/or IRS Determination Letter
• Financial Statement (e.g. operating budget, treasurer’s report, previous year Form 990 or similar, income and expenditure report, etc.)
• Organization Board (i.e. Chain of Command, list of officers, etc.)
• Needs Assessment (security/vulnerability assessment)

Optional Supplemental Documentation:

• Photos of items/areas related to proposal
• Letters of support from members of the community attesting to the need and perceived benefit of the anticipated grant funding (letters of support may come from PTA Members, Staff, local government officials, parents of current students, etc.)

All applications and supporting documents should be legible and well-organized to permit ease of review.

Applicants are encouraged to request funds for projects and/or activities where a need has been clearly documented and the school has support from all applicable stakeholders to address the need.

Applicants are encouraged to submit photos that provide visual perspective of proposed projects and/or needs related to replacements or repairs.

Documentation showing funds could not otherwise be obtained through alternate sources will strengthen the request. However, for larger projects in particular, proof of available matching funds would be appropriate (although matching funds are not required).

Applicants are encouraged to clearly document and account for both purchase estimates and installation costs, where appropriate, to ensure full project accounting.

Lastly, where appropriate, applicants should include plans for longevity, especially if requesting funds for projects or activities that will require future maintenance and upkeep.

For the 2022 grant cycle, applicants should receive a decision by no later than October 14, 2022.

Yes. All grant recipients must complete the online Final Report form, detailing and accounting for how all grant funds were spent; copies of receipts and/or paid invoices for items purchased with grant funds must be included. Final reports are due within thirty (30) days of the project end date.

The final report form must be completed online. A notice to complete the final report will be sent via email to the primary contact on file, per the project end date, as stipulated in your grant request.