FAIRFAX, Va. — The NRA Foundation today announced new grant awards supporting school security initiatives through the NRA School Shield program, made possible in part by a generous estate gift designated specifically for school safety initiatives. This planned gift enabled the Foundation to expand its commitment to helping schools strengthen their security infrastructure and create safer learning environments for students nationwide.
This year, the NRA Foundation awarded 30 School Shield grants totaling $304,447 to schools seeking to enhance their security through equipment upgrades, facility improvements, and training resources.
To ensure each application was evaluated with the highest level of professional expertise, the Foundation partnered with the NRA Law Enforcement Division. Staff with extensive real-world experience in law enforcement and school safety reviewed and graded each request, bringing practical, on-the-ground knowledge to the decision-making process. Their involvement ensured that every grant approved aligned with best practices for school security.
“The NRA Foundation is proud to help schools across the country strengthen their safety posture,” said Peter Churchbourne, Executive Director of The NRA Foundation. “This year’s grant cycle demonstrates how philanthropy, in particular planned giving, can have a lasting impact on the well-being of communities. The estate gift dedicated to School Shield allowed us to expand our reach and help even more schools take meaningful steps to protect their students.”
The NRA Foundation noted that planned gifts, including bequests and charitable estate designations, provide long-term stability for charitable missions like School Shield. These gifts ensure that programs designed to safeguard children and support local communities can continue well into the future.
The Foundation will open another round of School Shield grant applications next year, continuing its work to support schools seeking to implement comprehensive, security-focused solutions.
The NRA School Shield program provides schools with tools, assessments, and training to enhance campus safety, offering a multifaceted approach to help keep children safe where they learn. More information about the program is available at www.NRASchoolShield.org.
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About The NRA Foundation
The NRA Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting educational, training, and safety programs that promote America’s shooting and hunting traditions. Since its founding in 1990, the Foundation has awarded thousands of grants to youth programs, law enforcement training, conservation efforts, and school safety initiatives.