The Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant Program was started in 2007 to provide financial assistance to local sportsmen’s groups in supporting wildlife conservation.
The program awards grant funds to eligible projects through a competitive application process each year. The focus of projects eligible to receive grant funds is determined annually by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and may change from year to year.
The focus for the 2008-09 grant year is on projects that promote or facilitate hunter, angler, shooter or trapper recruitment and retention.
“Recruitment” means bringing a person into hunting, fishing and/or shooting sports through their participation in, and commitment to, an activity. A minimum outcome is that the person leaves holding a positive experience and opinion toward hunting, fishing and shooting sports. Recruitment can include invoking a positive change in personal attitude toward the sport regardless of ongoing physical participation in the activity.
“Retention” means maintaining positive, economical, social and/or political involvement in hunting, shooting and fishing sports through a person’s continuing participation in, and/or support of these activities.
The deadline for submitting grant applications for the 2008-09 grant year is August 18, 2008.
General information about the program, including available funding, eligibility, how to apply, and application deadline, are below.
How much grant funding is available?
The Arizona Legislature and the Arizona Game and Fish Commission determine how much money is available each year. For the 2008-09 grant year, the total amount of money available is $50,000. Multiple awards may be made. Sportsmen’s groups may apply for single or multiple grants; more than one grant may be awarded to the same group (must be stand-alone projects). The Arizona Game and Fish Department may partially fund project(s) at its discretion.
Who is eligible to receive grant funds?
To be eligible to receive a Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant, a group must:
- Be a local Arizona-based sportsmen’s group with a focus on hunting, fishing, shooting or trapping
- Propose a project that fits the eligibility criteria
- Complete its project by June 30, 2009.
What types of projects are eligible to receive grant funds?
For the 2008-09 grant year, projects must promote or facilitate hunter, angler, shooter or trapper recruitment or retention. Examples of possible projects include (but are not limited to):
- Small game camps
- Fishing clinics
- Beginning shooter programs
- Educational outreach
Grant dollars cannot be used for activities such as group banquets, raffle prizes, trophy hunting competitions, for-profit projects, or for the purchase of hunting or fishing licenses, tags or stamps.
When and how can groups apply for grants?
For the 2008-09 grant year, the deadline for groups to submit applications for grant funds is Monday, August 18, 2008 at 5 p.m. (MST).
Applications must be in the department’s possession by the deadline; postmarks don’t count. Applications must be submitted to:
Arizona Game and Fish Department, DOFP
Attn: Grants Administrator
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
All applicants must use the forms from the grant application packet and include all the documentation listed in the packet’s instructions. Application packets can be downloaded by clicking on the link to the PDF form below or can be obtained by calling Grant Coordinator Robyn Beck at (623) 236-7530.
Three sets of the application and supporting documentation must be submitted. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
How are grant awards determined?
Grant applications are scored by a panel of at least three department employees according to how well the proposed project meets scoring criteria, which are listed in the grant application packet. Final awards will be made by the Arizona Game and Fish Department Director. It is anticipated grant awards for the 2008-09 grant year will be announced on or around October 1, 2008.
For questions or more information:
Please contact Grant Coordinator Robyn Beck at (623) 236-7530 or rbeck@azgfd.gov.
- Download the 2008-09 Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant Program Application Packet [pdf, 181kb].
- MS Word version of grant application form
[doc, 49kb].
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