NWTF Presents $660,000 in Endowments to 33 School Programs

The NWTF will present $660,000 in endowments to 33 high school and collegiate shooting organizations throughout the nation through the Scholastic Shooting Trust, a foundation created by MidwayUSA owners Brenda and Larry Potterfield.

Each program will receive a $20,000 endowment made possible by NWTF members through funds raised at NWTF events. They are being distributed this summer.

The National Wild Turkey Federation fully supports shooting sports, and believes they are a safe and informal gateway to hunting. The NWTF recognizes hunters as the foundation of wildlife conservation.

“The NWTF is proud to play a major role in supporting youth shooting programs,” said Tom Hughes, NWTF assistant vice president of education and outreach programs. “These endowments have a tremendous impact in sustaining and growing the programs of the recipients.”

The recipients include school organizations from 18 states. The shooting programs can use the interest generated from the endowment each year to pay for shooting program expenses.

Recipients also are encouraged to use the money to hold fundraisers.

“Competitive shooting teams provide wonderful opportunities for students to make friends, to develop confidence and learn discipline and leadership skills,” said Larry Potterfield, founder and CEO of MidwayUSA. “However, most schools provide little or no funding for shooting teams, so it’s up to us to help.”

Teams that wish to be considered for endowments should contact the NWTF regional director for their area. NWTF regional directors can be found by going to http://www.nwtf.org/in_your_state/, clicking on your state then clicking on “Field Staff.” Or you can call the NWTF at (800) THE-NWTF.

“This money will make a significant difference for our program,” said Marie Kibbey, coach of recipient Sheffield (Pa.) High School. “We try to provide kids with a safe place to go out and shoot. It’s hard for them to pay all the expenses out of their own pockets.”

The NWTF – a national nonprofit organization – is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation and dedicated to the preservation of our hunting heritage in North America.

Through vital partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and our members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, investing more than $372 million to conserve 17 million acres of wildlife habitat.

2012 Scholastic Shooting Trust Recipients

• Arkansas – Ecclesia College, Springdale;
• California – Granite Bay High School;
• Florida – Jacksonville University;
• Georgia – Augusta State University; Benedictine Military School, Savannah; Monroe Area High School, Monroe;
• Illinois – Chester High School; Sparta High School; Steeleville High School; Trico High School, Campbell Hill;
• Indiana – Purdue University Rifle and Purdue University Shotgun, West Lafayette;
• Iowa – Glidden-Ralston High School, Glidden;
• Kentucky – Murray State University Rifle;
• Michigan – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
• Mississippi – Mississippi State University, Starkville;
• Missouri – Marshall High School;
• New Mexico – Hot Springs High School, Truth or Consequences;
• Ohio – Ohio University Competitive Pistol, Akron;
• Oklahoma – Oklahoma State University Shotgun Sports Club, Stillwater;
• Oregon – Henley High School, Klamath Falls;
• Pennsylvania – Indiana University; Sheffield High School; Sullivan County High School, Laporte;
• South Carolina – The Citadel Rifle, Charleston; Clemson University; Clemson University Shotgun; South Pointe High School AFJROTC, Rock Hill; Wardlaw Academy, Johnston; Wyman King Academy, Batesburg-Leesville;
• Wisconsin – Jefferson High School, University of Wisconsin-Platteville

National Wild Turkey Federation

The National Wild Turkey Federation is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The NWTF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million acres of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer, grouse, pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this improved habitat.

The NWTF also brings new conservationists and hunters into the fold through outdoor education events and its Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES youth outreach programs. Our dedicated NWTF volunteers introduce about 100,000 people to the outdoors through these programs every year.

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state and Canada. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America's wildlife history.