Shooting Range Grant Program

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers the Shooting Range Grant Program, which provides financial assistance for the development and improvement of shooting range facilities across the state. The program is open to a diverse set of applicants, including governmental units such as counties, cities, villages, and townships, as well as clubs, organizations, and educational institutions. It is structured to enhance access to safe and well-equipped shooting facilities for public and educational purposes, reflecting the DNR’s broader mission to support recreational and environmental stewardship across Wisconsin. The grant supports a wide array of outdoor shooting range construction activities. Eligible expenditures include the construction of essential range infrastructure such as backstops, berms, target holders, shooting benches, baffles, protective fencing, signage, trenches, gun racks, platforms, and restrooms. Indoor ranges are also eligible if determined necessary by the department, and may include classrooms, storage, and restroom facilities. Importantly, ineligible uses include clubhouses or other facilities not directly essential to the shooting range's operation, as well as routine operation and maintenance of ranges. This is a reimbursement-only grant program. Applicants must first incur and pay project-related expenses before submitting documentation for reimbursement. No advances are issued. However, grantees may request partial reimbursements, typically on a quarterly basis, during the project lifecycle. All reimbursement requests must be accompanied by full documentation, including invoices, proof of payment, cost-sharing reports, and photographs. Reimbursement forms such as Form 8700-001 and matching documentation like volunteer or equipment usage forms must be completed and submitted as part of the process. To apply, entities must first consult with either the Grant Program Manager or the Statewide Public Shooting Range Manager. Submission requirements include the Shooting Range Development Grant Application (Form 8700-084), an authorizing resolution (Form 8700-388), a W-9 form, an aerial map and labeled photos for outdoor projects, and an Environmental Hazards Assessment (Form 1800-001). These documents must be submitted electronically to the program’s designated email by 11:59 p.m. on the annual deadline, which is July 15. Applications that are incomplete or submitted without prior discussion with DNR staff will not be considered. The grant requires applicants to obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI) through SAM.gov in lieu of the previous DUNS number system. Once submitted, applicants should receive an acknowledgment within three business days following the deadline. If this acknowledgment is not received, applicants must contact the program manager promptly to confirm receipt and avoid disqualification. There is no explicit indication of the evaluation criteria within the guidance, but compliance with documentation and prior discussion with the DNR appear to be fundamental. The program is clearly designed to recur annually, as noted by the fixed July 15 deadline starting in 2023. The program is a consistent funding mechanism to support safe recreational shooting practices throughout Wisconsin and ensures both indoor and outdoor range development can continue under clear procedural and reimbursement guidelines.

Contact the DNR Grant Manager before applying; adhere to ADA and procurement standards; document all costs and volunteer match carefully.