Weatherby Foundation- Awards

Purpose: The purpose of a Weatherby Foundation grant is to provide financial support and organizational, and planning assistance to state wildlife agencies or a cooperative partner for the production of annual, large Outdoor Expo events that provide hands-on learning opportunities for thousands of youngsters and families in the areas of wildlife and habitat conservation ; the role of hunting and the hunter in wildlife conservation; and shooting sports, fishing, camping, water sports, and many other skills necessary to responsibly enjoy our great outdoors.

About the Grants: The Weatherby Foundation will provide the following types of grants for Outdoor Expos: 1) start-up grants of $10,000 to those states producing their first large Outdoor Expo; 2) grants of $5,000. to states with a large, ongoing Expo or regional Expos with a total participation of over 5,000 who seek to expand or improve their event/s, and 3) grants of $2,500. to s tates with regional events or a single event that does not exceed 5,000 total participants, but has a history of growth and improvement, and seeks to achieve participation of over 5,000. All grants are subject to Weatherby Foundation Board approval, and must meet the qualification criteria, funding criteria and grant guidelines.

Foster an appreciation of and for the role of hunting and the hunter in wildlife conservation.
Provide a linkage between and pathway from the introductory learning opportunities provided at the Expo with mentoring programs and organizations (youth and adult) one can join to further learn about and participate in hunting, shooting sports, fishing, wildlife watching, volunteer programs, and other associated outdoor recreation activities (examples include, but are not limited to 4-H shooting sports, 4-H sport fishing, hunter and angler mentor programs, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Women in the Outdoors, JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, Women on Target, Youth Hunter Education Challenge, Trailblazer Adventure Program, conservation volunteer programs, hunter education, Shotgun Training Education Program, Archery in the Schools, etc.).
Shooting skills, hunting skills, fishing skills, wildlife watching skills, a variety of other outdoor skills, wildlife and habitat stewardship, outdoor ethics, outdoor safety, landowner respect, and wildlife conservation/management education must constitute an important part of the event’s activities and be included in the event’s goals.
Be free-of-charge to participants, or charge a nominal fee that is not a barrier to participation.
Be a statewide or regional event/s involving a large geographic area within a state. These are not small community events, nor are these types of expos meant to replace community events which are almost entirely funded and produced by members of the community.
Be at least a two day event with an attendance of at least 5,000, or if multiple one day events have a total combined attendance of at least 5,000.
Be an annual or biennial event.
Conduct an exit survey of participants, and if feasible a survey of the volunteers and presenters helping produce your Expo. Produce a report following your event(s). If renewing your application include the report with the grant renewal application.

The Submission Process :

1. Submit a cover letter from the director of the state wildlife agency or nonprofit organization taking the lead in planning your expo.

2 . If you are a nonprofit organization and this is your first grant request, furnish a copy of the letter of Agreement or M.O.U. from the state wildlife agency indicating their commitment to play an important role in the planning and production of your expo. Written verification of your 501 (c)(3) status and your tax id number must be included.

3. Complete the accompanying application in full, filling in the Word Document below. Do not include these first two pages with your application. See submission requirements below.

5 . Submit six copies of the completed application by December 15. No applications will be accepted after the deadline of December 15th. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Successful applicants will be notified by February 15 and grants awarded by March 15. Applicants must provide all information requested and comply with the Outdoor Expo Funding Criteria and other qualifications.

Six copies of the cover letter, last expo report, and grant application should be mailed to:

You can copy and print out the Expo Grant Application below which applies to you. Or if you are a first-time applicant you can click here to download the application in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view this document.

If you have applied and received expo grant funds previously, to download the renewal application in PDF format, please click here.