Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

What Youth Shooting Sports Alliance does

Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) is a 501(c)(3) private foundation founded in 2007 as an offshoot of the National 4-H Youth Shooting Sports program and currently headquartered in Hagerstown, Maryland. The organization is described as the only entity in the United States that provides new and used firearms, archery equipment, and BB guns to youth shooting sports programs on a loan basis, free of charge. YSSA distributes equipment bundles — including youth-model rifles (Savage Mark I-G, Henry Mini Bolt/Golden Boy, Ruger American), shotguns (Mossberg 510 Mini Super Bantam, Maverick Model 88), BB gun units (Daisy 840B Grizzly), archery units (Genesis bows), and safety accessories — to qualified programs that apply through an annual National Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs Assessment. To date, YSSA reports it has loaned more than $1.5 million in equipment to over 350 priority programs, benefiting more than 85,000 youth nationwide.

YSSA operates no proprietary technology platform; its core technology is physical inventory management and logistics, with Gander Mountain serving as a centralized repository for refurbishment and storage of loaned firearms between disbursement cycles. Programs access equipment via a county-based online program directory developed in partnership with the Mule Deer Foundation, which enables discovery by prospective participants and parents. Firearms are shipped to Federal Firearms License holders; archery and BB gun equipment is shipped directly to programs.

YSSA's business model is a hybrid of equipment-based fundraising and charitable grant-making. Revenue mechanics consist of (i) auction proceeds from donated firearms sold via GunBroker.com (no-reserve listings), (ii) monetary donations and product donations from shooting sports industry manufacturers and distributors (Savage, Mossberg, Ruger, Ellett Brothers, RSR Group, Daisy, Vista Outdoor, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, and others), and (iii) occasional grants and auction proceeds raised at industry events. Programs receive equipment at no charge, and donors receive tax-deductible receipts under the 501(c)(3) designation. The organization employs 1–10 staff, including an Executive Director, and is governed by an industry-linked Board of Directors.

Name

Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

Legal name

Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

Website

https://youthshootingsa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Youth Shooting Sports Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that loans firearms, archery equipment, and BB guns free of charge to qualified youth shooting sports programs nationwide, funded by industry donations and GunBroker.com auctions of donated firearms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Youth Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN)

Keywords

• Youth shooting sports
• Equipment loan program
• Nonprofit youth programs
• Firearms archery equipment
• Youth development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Maryland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donated Firearms Auction Program: YSSA receives donated firearms from manufacturers and donors, sells them on GunBroker.com (without reserve), and uses proceeds to purchase equipment and supplies for youth shooting sports programs. The organization is a 501(c)(3) private foundation that provides donors with tax-deductible receipts.
2. Equipment Grant Program: YSSA provides free loan of shooting sports equipment (firearms, archery products, BB guns) and donates supplies (targets, hearing protection, eye protection) to qualifying youth programs. No monetary transaction occurs with program beneficiaries.
3. Industry Donations and Grants: The organization receives monetary donations and product donations from shooting sports industry partners including manufacturers, distributors, and industry organizations to support operations and program equipment inventory.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

YSSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free loans of firearms, archery equipment, and BB guns — plus donated supplies such as targets and eye/hearing protection — to qualified youth shooting sports programs nationwide. It also operates a county-based online program directory (built with the Mule Deer Foundation) and runs a Donated Firearms Program that auctions donated firearms on GunBroker.com to generate funds for additional equipment grants.

Product overview

The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) operates as a registered 501(c)(3) youth development fundraising organization that supports youth shooting sports programs through four interconnected offerings: a Shooting Sports Equipment Loan Program (its primary service, providing firearms, archery gear, BB guns, and accessories on loan to qualified programs), a Youth Shooting Sports Program Directory (a county-based online directory developed with the Mule Deer Foundation for recruiting new youth participants), a Donated Firearms Program (selling industry-donated firearms on GunBroker.com to generate funds for equipment grants), and a Special Youth Purchasing Program (negotiated discounted purchasing through Vista Outdoor brands). The equipment loan inventory includes rifles (Savage Mark I-G, Henry Mini Bolt/Golden Boy/Acu-Bolt, Ruger American), shotguns (Mossberg 510 Mini Super Bantam, Maverick Model 88, Legacy Escort), pistols (Ruger Mark III), BB gun units (Daisy 840B Grizzly), and archery units (Genesis bows with arrows and accessories), supplemented with safety gear. Programs apply annually through the National Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs Assessment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shooting Sports Equipment Loan Program Core service that lends firearms, archery products, BB guns and accessories to qualified youth shooting sports programs at no cost; firearms are loaned seasonally and shipped to FFL holders, while archery and BB gun items may be shipped directly.
• Donated Firearms Program Fundraising service that accepts donated firearms from individuals and manufacturers, auctions them on GunBroker.com without reserve, and applies proceeds toward equipment purchases for priority youth programs; donors receive tax-deductible receipts.
• Youth Shooting Sports Program Directory Online directory of youth shooting sports programs listed by state and county with shooting-discipline filters, designed to help prospective youth participants and parents discover local 4-H, Boy Scouts, JROTC, and similar programs.
• National Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs Assessment Annual grant application and review process through which youth programs apply for equipment and supply support; applications are evaluated by an industry panel against criteria including participation, shooting-discipline diversity, program uniqueness, and visibility.
• Special Youth Purchasing Program Facilitated purchasing service that provides qualified youth shooting sports programs with discounted ammunition and equipment through Vista Outdoor partner brands.

Quantifiable outcome

• Loaned more than $1.5 million in equipment to youth programs, benefiting more than 85,000 youth
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Mule Deer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011YSSA and MDF partnered at SHOT Show to increase participation in shooting sports. MDF's chapters, members, and supporters help young people engage in hunting and shooting. MDF launched a major education initiative to increase youth participation, supporting YSSA's mission to recruit new shooters.
• Gander Mountain CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Gander Mountain serves as the centralized repository for YSSA's firearms inventory acquired for the Shooting Sports Equipment Loan Program. Under the partnership guidelines, YSSA coordinates promotion, reviews youth program requests, and coordinates distribution and return of firearms. Gander Mountain refurbishes and stores firearms between loan disbursements.
• GunBroker.comcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGunBroker.com hosts YSSA's Donated Firearms Program auctions. Donated firearms are listed without reserve and awarded to highest bidder. Proceeds fund equipment purchases for priority youth programs.
• Savage Sports CorporationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSavage Sports Corporation (largest rifle manufacturer in US) has been a long-time supporter. Donated 72 rifles and pistols to jump-start the Donated Firearms Program. Also donated youth .22 caliber rifles to multiple BSA councils and 4-H programs. BowTech (subsidiary) donated compound bows.
• O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMossberg has donated shotguns including Silver Reserve models and 500 Super Bantam 20 ga. shotguns. Continues support through the Donated Firearms Program. Donated 42 new shotguns for auction to benefit YSSA programs.
• Ellett BrothersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEllett Brothers hosts annual silent auctions at their Dealer Show benefiting YSSA. Raised over $196,000 since 2009. Donated a museum-quality Colt Classic Remake 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun. United Sporting Companies subsidiary.
• Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerRuger conducts auctions of rare, unusual, or one-of-a-kind firearms benefiting YSSA. Presented $28,200 check from 2014-2015 auctions. Also donated $25,000 in 2010. Initiated auction program in 2010.
• RSR Group, Inc.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerRSR Group, Inc. (national distributor of shooting sports merchandise) donated $10,000 to YSSA - the fourth such donation in four years. Supports YSSA's mission to overcome limiting factors in youth shooting sports program growth.
• Daisy Outdoor ProductsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDaisy (world's oldest and largest producer of airguns) established a product donation account for YSSA to supply BB-guns, air rifles and related equipment. Joe Murfin, VP Marketing, serves on YSSA Board of Directors. Daisy offers substantial discounts to qualified non-profit organizations.
• FNH USA, LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFNH USA donated rifles (FNAR Heavy, FN TSR XP, FN SPR A5M), handguns (FN Five-seveN, FNX-9), shotgun (FN SC1 Over/Under), and FN SCAR 16S carbine. Items sold on GunBroker.com to generate funds for YSSA programs.
• Smith & WessonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSmith & Wesson donated 17 sparingly used .22 cal. rifles to YSSA's Donated Firearms Program. Firearms placed on GunBroker.com to generate funds for priority youth programs.
• Henry Repeating ArmsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHenry donated youth rifles including Mini Bolt Youth .22 rifles and Golden Boy .22 LR rifles to priority programs. Offers special price program for bonafide instructors and special edition rifles for Boy Scouts.
• Legacy Sports InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Sports International donated Webley spring air rifles (144 units including Tomahawk, Longbow and Stingray models). Also pledged $5.00 to YSSA for each youth firearm sold in 2008.
• Leupold & Stevens, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeupold donated 24 Sequoia 15-45x60mm spotting scope kits to priority programs. Also donated Boone and Crockett Binocular Kit and RX-1 Digital Rangefinder for auction.
• Winchester AmmunitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWinchester provided rimfire and shotshell ammunition to priority youth programs. Made $500,000 pledge in 2007 to endow NRA's Marksmanship Qualification Program. Exclusive sponsor of Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program.
• Sig Sauer, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSig Sauer donated 10 Certified Pre-owned P250 Compact 9mm pistols to YSSA's Donated Firearms Program. P250 received NRA's Golden Bullseye Award for Shooting Illustrated Handgun of the Year.
• Taurus International Mfg., Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTaurus donated Rossi matched pair 20 ga./.22 LR guns to multiple BSA councils. Partnered to restore Camp Seminole after Hurricane Wilma.
• MidwayUSA FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMidwayUSA Foundation helps communities and organizations raise funds for youth shooting teams. Over 3,000 teams funded with $20 million+ in grants. No competition for grants - teams receive 5% of endowment balance annually.
• Cabela'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCabela's donated gun storage cases, shooting glasses, firearm cleaning kits, scoped rifle cases, and leather shooting gloves to priority programs through YSSA partnership.
• Delta Sports ProductsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta Sports Products (Delta Targets) donated Arrowstop 32" round targets and target easel stands to multiple BSA councils.
• Blackpowder Products, Inc. (BPI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBPI donated Wolf 209 Magnum muzzleloaders, Barrel Blaster rust blaster plugs, Fill-R-Up bore cleaner, cleaning patches, and PowerBelt bullets to Heart of Virginia Council of BSA.
• Traditions Performance FirearmsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated complete set of muzzleloading rifles including youth model Yukon drop breech action, youth Pursuit LT, Thunder Bolt, and Deerhunter muzzleloaders to Louisiana District Royal Rangers.
• Vista Outdoor Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVista Outdoor (parent of Federal Premium, CCI, Savage Arms, Champion Targets) provides special youth purchasing programs. Federal Premium conducts Shotshell Program for youth programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• MidwayUSA Foundation: Endowment-based 501(c)(3) that funds 3,000+ youth shooting teams with $20M+ in grants, directly competing with YSSA for the same donor and youth-program audience.
• The NRA Foundation: National foundation funding youth shooting sports programs through grants, range development, and equipment — overlapping with YSSA's mission and donor base.
• Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF): National governing body and fundraising arm for Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP), supporting youth shooting teams across the U.S.
• USA Shooting: National governing body for Olympic shooting sports, running youth development pipelines and equipment programs overlapping with YSSA's youth recruitment mission.
• Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP): Federally-chartered nonprofit promoting marksmanship through youth programs, competitions, and equipment support — overlaps with YSSA on youth rifle/pistol training.
• Mule Deer Foundation: Conservation-focused nonprofit that co-developed YSSA's program directory and runs youth outreach partnerships — a direct mission-aligned ally with overlapping youth/shooting initiatives.
• National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF): Conservation nonprofit running JAKES (Junior Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) youth programs that include shooting sports — overlapping donor base and youth mission with YSSA.

Emerging players

• National 4-H Shooting Sports Program: National youth development program from which YSSA was spun off in 2007; provides curriculum, training, and program support for 4-H shooting sports clubs.

Broad incumbents

• National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF): Trade association for the firearms industry that runs youth recruitment initiatives (e.g., +ONE Movement) and supports youth shooting programs industry-wide.
• Ducks Unlimited (DU): Large conservation nonprofit with youth education and shooting programs, frequently partnering with firearms manufacturers on youth outreach similar to YSSA's model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/supportYSSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-shooting-sports-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Youth Shooting Sports Alliance