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MidwayUSA Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$14.3M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
85%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $14.3 million (2025)
  • Success Rate: High for eligible endowment holders (952 teams + 40 organizations funded in recent cycle)
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (August disbursement for June deadline; February disbursement for December deadline)
  • Grant Range: $100 minimum (from $2,000 endowment) to based on 5% of endowment balance
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

Website: www.midwayusafoundation.org

Phone: 1-877-375-4570

Email:

Address: 6001 West Van Horn Tavern Rd Suite C, Columbia, MO 65203

Grant Application Portal: musaf.smapply.org (SurveyMonkey Apply platform)

Overview

Founded in 2007 by Larry and Brenda Potterfield, the MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to sustaining and growing youth shooting sports through long-term, endowment-based funding. With $465 million in total endowment assets as of September 2025, the Foundation has distributed $91.2 million in grants since inception and currently supports 2,559 funded shooting team endowments. The Foundation operates on a unique model where 100% of donor contributions go directly to designated endowments, with all operating expenses covered by the Potterfields' personal contributions. The Foundation has earned platinum status with GuideStar, a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and 5 stars on Great Nonprofits. In recent years, the Foundation has expanded beyond team grants to include range development (awarding $4.45 million since 2021) and coach training programs, reflecting its comprehensive approach to youth shooting sports development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Team Endowment Grants: $100 minimum to unlimited (5% of endowment balance)

  • Annual cash grants equal to 5% of team's endowment balance
  • Teams must maintain minimum $2,000 endowment balance to qualify
  • Application cycles: April 15-June 15 (August disbursement) or October 15-December 15 (February disbursement)
  • Teams apply once per year through online portal
  • Recent cycle: $5+ million to 952 teams, averaging $5,225.70 per team

Agency Endowment Grants: 5% of endowment balance annually

  • For nonprofit organizations 100% dedicated to youth shooting sports
  • Same application cycles as team grants
  • Recent cycle: $1.7+ million to nearly 40 organizations
  • Requires signed contract and individual approval
  • Funds may be used for general organizational expenses supporting youth programs

Range Development Grants: Up to $75,000 or 50% of project budget (whichever is less)

  • Competitive grants for range improvements and expansions
  • Application cycle: February 1-April 1 (June disbursement)
  • Funds must be used within 9 months of receipt
  • 2024 awards: $2.3 million to 99 recipients
  • Total awarded since 2021: $4.45 million

Coach Training Grants: Variable amounts

  • Application cycle: February 1-March 1 (May disbursement)
  • Only available to agency endowment holders
  • Covers basic/advanced certifications, skills training, clinics, train-the-trainer programs
  • Teams/individuals should contact their state organization

Donor Designated Grants: 5% of endowment balance

  • For larger organizations creating specific endowments for youth programs
  • Customized arrangements

Product Grants: Available through foundation programs

  • Non-cash support for teams

Priority Areas

  • High school shooting teams (affiliated and non-affiliated)
  • College-level shooting teams
  • Youth club teams (4-H, Boy Scouts, FFA, gun clubs, church groups)
  • Organizations providing additional opportunities for youth in shooting sports
  • Range facilities serving youth programs
  • Coach training and development
  • Firearm shooting sports only: shotgun, rifle, air rifle, pistol, air pistol, high-power rifle, black powder, BB guns

What They Don't Fund

  • Archery teams or programs
  • Firearm purchases
  • Individual scholarships
  • Political lobbying
  • Personal expenses
  • Indirect costs for educational institutions
  • Teams not primarily composed of high school or college-age youth
  • Organizations not focused on youth shooting sports

Governance and Leadership

Board Officers

  • Jon Zinnel (President): Director of Community Relations, The Kinetic Group
  • Nancy Bacon (Vice President, Audit Committee Chair): VP, Southwick Associates
  • Sara Potterfield (Secretary/Treasurer, Grant Committee Chair): VP of Public Relations, The Potterfield Group

Board of Directors

  • Larry Potterfield (Founder and Chairman): Founder and Chairman of MidwayUSA
  • Chris Agnes: VP Endemic Sales, Outdoor Sportsman Group
  • Sheldon Benge: Managing Partner, Benge Financial Group
  • Nicole Capossela: Chief Advancement Officer, Lupus Research Alliance
  • Jim Dunn (Investment Committee Chair): Sr. VP, Morgan Stanley (Retired)
  • Dick Leeper: Director of Philanthropy, The Potterfield Group
  • Ana English McArdle: President/CEO, Center for Improving Value in Health Care (Retired)
  • Cyndi Flannigan: Executive Director, Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (Retired)
  • Aaron Mazer: Founder and CEO, Pax Financial Advisors
  • Tom Schauwecker: Boone County Assessor (Retired)

Key Staff

  • Pete Eisentrager: Executive Director
  • Stephanie Femrite: Deputy Director
  • Regional Program Managers: Jay McClatchey (Northeast), Jeff McClure (Southeast), Yim Szeto (South Central), David Grell (North Central), Dan Darragh (West)
  • Brent Ferrell: Controller

Leadership Philosophy

Larry Potterfield on at-risk youth: "The at-risk segment of the next generation is growing and in need of our Industry's immediate attention. We're involved in other legacy outreach efforts, but this area of outreach is critical to address, given the changing societal demographics."

On sustainability: "Like our vision for your team, we want to make sustainable funding a top priority for our Foundation."

Brenda Potterfield observed: "I've seen an explosion of kids who haven't been shooting before become competitors."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Team Endowment Grants:

  1. Establish a Team Endowment Account at www.midwayusafoundation.org/start-team-endowment/
    • Team must be reputably organized and composed primarily of high school or college-age youth
    • Must be affiliated with formal nonprofit parent organization or start own nonprofit
    • Minimum $100 to keep account active; $2,000 minimum to qualify for grants
  2. Build endowment through donations, fundraising, and investment earnings
  3. Register for grant portal (SurveyMonkey Apply) by contacting grants@midwayusafoundation.org
  4. Complete online application during designated grant cycle
  5. Submit required W9 form annually with application
  6. Submit After Action Report on previous grant utilization (if previously funded)

For Agency Endowment Grants:

  1. Organization must be 100% dedicated to supporting youth shooting sports
  2. Contact Foundation to establish Agency Endowment (requires individual approval and signed contract)
  3. Build endowment to minimum $2,000
  4. Apply through same process and cycles as team grants

For Range Development Grants:

  1. Must be endowment holder
  2. Submit competitive application February 1-April 1
  3. Provide complete project details, budget, timeline
  4. Applications judged solely on submitted information—incomplete or confusing applications not considered

For Coach Training Grants:

  1. Only agency endowment holders eligible to apply
  2. Teams/individuals should contact their state organization
  3. Apply February 1-March 1

Application Portal: All grants processed through SurveyMonkey Apply platform at musaf.smapply.org

Decision Timeline

Team and Agency Grants:

  • June 15 deadline → Board review → August disbursement (approximately 6-8 weeks)
  • December 15 deadline → Board review → February disbursement (approximately 6-8 weeks)

Range Development Grants:

  • April 1 deadline → Board review → June disbursement (approximately 8-10 weeks)

Coach Training Grants:

  • March 1 deadline → Board review → May disbursement (approximately 8-10 weeks)

All grants require Board of Directors approval. Funds distributed via direct deposit (ACH) or check, with direct deposit encouraged for speed and security.

Success Rates

The Foundation demonstrates strong approval rates for eligible applicants:

  • Recent team grant cycle: 952 teams funded
  • Recent agency grant cycle: Nearly 40 organizations funded
  • Range Development 2024: 99 recipients funded
  • Current active endowments: 2,559 teams funded and eligible

Success appears primarily dependent on meeting eligibility requirements (minimum endowment balance, proper documentation) rather than competitive scoring. Team and agency grants operate as entitlements for endowment holders meeting requirements, while range development and coach training grants are competitive.

Reapplication Policy

Teams and agencies may apply once per calendar year, choosing either June or December cycle. There are no restrictions on reapplication—endowment holders in good standing may apply annually in perpetuity, reflecting the Foundation's sustainable funding model.

Unsuccessful competitive grant applicants (Range Development, Coach Training) may reapply in subsequent cycles without penalty or waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

For Team and Agency Endowment Grants

Critical Success Factors:

  1. Minimum Endowment Balance: Must have at least $2,000 in endowment account before applying
  2. Complete W9 Documentation: Foundation cannot issue grants without completed W9 with signature, submitted annually
  3. After Action Reporting: Previous grant recipients must report on past fund utilization before starting new application—demonstrates accountability
  4. Accurate Application Information: Applications with incomplete, inaccurate, confusing, or conflicting information will not be considered
  5. Timely Submission: Applications must be submitted within designated windows (60-day periods)
  6. Proper Registration: Primary grant contact must register through grants@midwayusafoundation.org for portal access

Foundation Guidance: The Foundation emphasizes: "Our goal is to promote shooting sports in our community and high school."

For Competitive Grants (Range Development, Coach Training)

Range Development Success Factors:

  1. Complete Project Details: Applications judged solely on submitted information
  2. Realistic Budget: Grant will not exceed $75,000 or 50% of project budget
  3. Feasible Timeline: Must demonstrate ability to use funds within 9-month window
  4. Youth Focus: Clear demonstration of how improvements will benefit youth shooting programs

Coach Training Success Factors:

  1. Agency Endowment Status: Only agency holders eligible
  2. Clear Training Plan: Specify whether basic/advanced certification, skills training, clinics, or train-the-trainer
  3. Youth Impact: Demonstrate how coach training will benefit youth programs

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Applying with endowment balance below $2,000
  • Incomplete or unsigned W9 forms
  • Failing to complete After Action Report on previous grants
  • Missing application deadlines
  • Providing incomplete or confusing project information
  • Requesting funds for excluded purposes (firearms, scholarships, lobbying)

Building Relationships

The Foundation employs regional program managers covering five geographic areas who are available to schedule meetings with teams. This regional support structure provides personalized guidance and relationship building opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Endowment-Based Model: Unlike traditional grant-making, this Foundation requires establishing an endowment account first—grants flow from your team's/organization's dedicated endowment, providing sustainable long-term funding
  • 100% Pass-Through: Every dollar donated to team endowments goes to the team; operating costs covered separately by founders, ensuring maximum impact
  • High Approval Rate for Eligible Teams: Team and agency grants function more like entitlements for endowment holders meeting requirements rather than competitive applications
  • Documentation is Critical: Success hinges on complete, accurate paperwork (W9, After Action Reports) more than persuasive narrative
  • Build Relationships Early: Contact regional program managers and grants staff before applying; they schedule team meetings and provide guidance
  • Long-Term Sustainability Focus: Foundation values teams building endowments over time through investment growth and fundraising, not one-time grants
  • Competitive Grants Require Detail: Range Development and Coach Training grants are competitive and judged solely on application information—completeness and clarity essential

References

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