Nra Whittington Center

What Nra Whittington Center does

The NRA Whittington Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 that operates a 33,300-acre shooting sports and outdoor recreation facility near Raton, New Mexico. Its core asset base includes 25 dedicated ranges, 17 trap fields, 4 skeet fields, 2 five-stand ranges, 3 sporting clay courses, plus on-site lodging (Founders Cabins, Brownell Suites, Legacy Cabins, Log Cabins, RV sites, primitive camping), the Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest (expanded in 2024 to over 7,000 square feet), the Bud and Willa Eyman Research Library, and historic landmarks along the Santa Fe Trail. The facility is capable of hosting local through international competitions and is affiliated with the NRA but financially and governance-independent, with Federal Tax ID 23-7367534.

The Center monetizes through a diversified stream mix: range usage fees, lodging/camping, annual memberships ($15 Junior, $50 Single, $75 Family), sustaining life memberships across four tiers ($400 Frontier through $5,000 Patriot), Whittington U training academies (defensive pistol/carbine, precision rifle with courses priced at $1,400-$1,500, NRA-certified courses, archery), guided big-game hunts (elk, pronghorn, mule deer, spring turkey) with reported near-100% success rates, an on-site Pro Shop and online store, and a multi-tier sponsorship program ($750 Bronze through $2,500 Gold, plus limited-edition firearm donor packages). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the facility, phone, and web channels; customers are bookable through nrainstructors.org for certification courses.

The customer base is segmented across shooting sports enthusiasts, hunters, youth (Adventure Camp ages 13-17), women shooters (Women's Wilderness Escape), and donors/supporter members. Corporate sponsorships span major firearms industry brands (Brownells, Glock, Hornady, Leupold, Ruger, Savage, Trijicon, Henry, Benchmade) and industry associations (NSSA, NSCA, ATA), with government partners including the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish. Leadership transitioned in 2026 with Becky Fish's promotion to Executive Director and the hire of Nate Brown as Advancement Officer, signaling a focus on professionalized fundraising and revenue scaling.

Name

Nra Whittington Center

Legal name

NRA Whittington Center

Website

https://nrawc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The NRA Whittington Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 33,300-acre shooting sports facility near Raton, New Mexico, offering 25 ranges, training academies, guided hunts, lodging, a museum, and a research library to shooting enthusiasts, hunters, youth, and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Shooting Sports Facility and Outdoor Recreation

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Hunting and Trapping (114210)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Combat Sports Venues (Arenas, Halls) (MPAKAEAK)

Keywords

• Shooting facility
• Firearms training
• Guided hunts
• Outdoor recreation
• Membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Raton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Shooting Range and Facility Usage Fees: Revenue from range fees, including informal range fee waivers for members, shotgun targets, and facility rentals.
2. Lodging and Camping: Revenue from cabins (Founders Cabins, Brownell Suites, Legacy Cabins, Log Cabins), RV sites, primitive camping, and competitor housing.
3. Membership Fees: Annual memberships (Junior $15, Single $50, Family $75) and sustaining life memberships (Frontier $400, Pioneer $1,000, Prospector $2,500, Patriot $5,000) with annual sustaining dues.
4. Training Courses: Revenue from Whittington U training programs including defensive pistol, precision rifle, archery, and NRA certified courses.
5. Guided Hunts: Revenue from guided bull elk hunts, pronghorn hunts, mule deer hunts, and spring turkey hunts with nearly 100% hunt success rates.
6. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporate sponsors supporting the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
7. Pro Shop Sales: Retail sales through the Pro Shop and online merchandise store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The NRA Whittington Center is a 33,300-acre shooting sports facility near Raton, New Mexico, that provides public access to multiple shooting ranges, firearms safety and marksmanship training, guided big-game and bird hunts, on-site lodging and dining, a firearms museum, and youth outdoor education programs. Operations are run as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by memberships, donations, range fees, training fees, and corporate sponsors from the firearms industry.

Product overview

The NRA Whittington Center is a 33,300-acre shooting facility offering a diverse portfolio of products and services. The core offering includes 25 dedicated shooting ranges plus shotgun facilities (17 trap fields, 4 skeet fields, 2 five-stand ranges, 3 sporting clay courses). Training is delivered through Whittington U with three academies: Defensive Academy (pistol/carbine), Precision Rifle Academy (100-3700 yards), and NRA Certified Courses (basic pistol/rifle/shotgun/muzzleloading). Youth programs feature Adventure Camp for ages 13-17. Visitor amenities include the Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest (with 2024 expansion to 7,000+ sq ft), Bud and Willa Eyman Research Library, guided big-game hunts, Women's Wilderness Escape, and lodging ranging from primitive camping to luxury cabins. The organization generates revenue through annual and sustaining life memberships (Frontier through Patriot tiers) and a 250th Anniversary Sponsor Program offering firearms as recognition items.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest: The largest firearms museum in the region, dedicated to restoring and displaying the nation's most important and historic firearms. Established in 2008 with over 7,000 square feet of exhibit space following a 2024 expansion.
• Whittington University
• Adventure Camp
• Women's Wilderness Escape

Products and services

• Shooting Ranges Multi-discipline shooting ranges covering pistol, rifle, shotgun, high-power, and muzzleloader use, available to members, individual shooters, and organized competitions on the 33,300-acre property near Raton, New Mexico.
• Firearms Training and Education Instructor-led firearms safety, marksmanship, and instructor certification courses delivered on the Center's ranges for individuals, clubs, and law enforcement-affiliated groups.
• Guided Hunts Outfitted big-game and upland bird hunting packages that include guide services, lodging, and meals for individual hunters and small hunting parties.
• Lodging and Hospitality On-site cabins, rooms, and dining facilities that support multi-day stays for shooters, hunters, training participants, event attendees, and their families.
• Firearms Museum A museum of firearms history and conservation on the property, available to visitors and groups as an educational and cultural amenity.
• Youth Outdoor Programs Outdoor education, shooting, and conservation programs designed for young participants and families to introduce new shooters to firearms safety and outdoor recreation.
• Membership Programs Tiered annual memberships that grant access to ranges, events, and member benefits while providing recurring financial support to the nonprofit.
• Pro Shop On-site retail outlet selling firearms-related accessories, ammunition, apparel, and memorabilia to members and visitors.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Sponsorship packages offered to firearms, ammunition, optics, and accessories companies for event support, product placement, and brand association with the Center and the NRA mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 100% hunt success rates reported
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• BrownellsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing support for the NRA Whittington Center's shooting, hunting, and training facilities. Brownells is a major firearms accessories retailer.
• GlockmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Glock is a leading firearms manufacturer.
• BenchmademajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Benchmade is a knife and tool manufacturer.
• HenrymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Henry is a firearms manufacturer specializing in lever-action rifles.
• HornadymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Hornady is a leading ammunition and reloading components manufacturer.
• LeupoldmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Leupold is a premier optics manufacturer.
• HodgdonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Hodgdon is a gunpowder manufacturer.
• Montana CanvasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Montana Canvas is an outdoor equipment manufacturer.
• Major League BowhunterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Major League Bowhunter is an archery organization.
• NSSAmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - National Skeet Shooting Association.
• New Mexico Department of Game & FishmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partner supporting hunting programs and conservation initiatives.
• NoslerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Nosler is an ammunition and bullets manufacturer.
• OtisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Otis is a firearms cleaning products manufacturer.
• SavagemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Savage is a firearms manufacturer.
• NSCAmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - National Sporting Clays Association.
• RugermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Sturm, Ruger & Co. is a firearms manufacturer.
• TrijiconmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - Trijicon is an optics manufacturer.
• Amateur Trapshooting AssociationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor - ATA promotes trapshooting competitions.
• New Mexico TrueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState tourism partnership promoting New Mexico as a travel destination.
• Raton New MexicominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal government partnership with the city of Raton, NM.
• KRTN RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media partner in Raton, NM.
• Baca Valley TelephoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor.
• Visit AlbuquerqueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership promoting Albuquerque and New Mexico culture.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Green Beret Project / Safari Club International: Hunting-conservation nonprofit with annual conventions, training events, and large donor base. Comparable as a membership-driven hunting organization hosting events and raising funds for mission-aligned activities.
• National Rifle Association of America (NRA): Affiliated 501(c)(4) organization that shares brand and supporter base with the Whittington Center. Not a direct operator of competing facilities at comparable scale, but the affiliated organization funding training programs and youth initiatives.
• Ducks Unlimited: Large hunting-conservation nonprofit with similar donor base, mission-driven program delivery, and event hosting. Comparable as a multi-revenue-stream nonprofit serving hunters and outdoor recreationists.
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Mission-aligned conservation nonprofit focused on elk habitat and hunting heritage. Comparable as a hunting-focused nonprofit with conservation, education, and event programming that draws from the same donor demographic.

Regional players

• Ben Avery Shooting Facility: One of the largest publicly-operated shooting facilities in the U.S. (Arizona Game and Fish), with extensive range infrastructure for multiple disciplines. Comparable as a large-scale shooting range operator serving competitive shooters and hunters, though publicly managed and regionally focused.
• FL Gun Range / Top Gun Range: Commercial indoor/outdoor shooting range operator with training, retail, and membership offerings. Comparable as a multi-discipline shooting facility operator serving recreational shooters and offering training, though smaller scale and different geographic market.

Direct peers

• Sig Sauer Academy: Premium firearms training facility offering multi-day courses in defensive and precision shooting. Comparable as a firearms training academy with comparable course pricing ($1,000+), focus on advanced marksmanship, and corporate firearms-industry sponsorship.
• Cardinal Shooting Center: Large commercial shooting facility in Ohio offering multiple ranges, training, and competitions. Comparable as a multi-discipline shooting sports venue with training, events, and member access, though smaller in footprint than the Whittington Center.
• The CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program): Nonprofit marksmanship training and competition organization with firing ranges and competitions. Comparable as a nonprofit shooting sports operator with training academies, competitive events, and youth programs.

Emerging players

• Orvis Company: Outdoor recreation brand offering hunting, fishing, and shooting schools and lodges. Comparable as a destination-based outdoor recreation operator with training programs and lodging, though broader in scope (fishing, wingshooting).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/WhittingtonU
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/whittingtoncenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/NRAWhittingtonCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nra-whittington-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Nra Whittington Center