Friends of NRA Program is Safe and There’s a Path Forward

February 17, 2026
11:31 am

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Great news for Second Amendment supporters: the Friends of NRA (FONRA) program isn't going anywhere—it's evolving smarter and stronger. After years of raising over $800 million since 1992 for youth shooting sports, training, and community projects through raffles, auctions, and events, the program faced headwinds from skyrocketing insurance costs, venue restrictions, and regulatory scrutiny on raffles. The NRA announced a pivot, suspending its own FONRA events after 2025 and redirecting funds starting in 2026 to a network of trusted 501(c)(3) partners like the Civilian Marksmanship Program and local shooting foundations. This isn't a shutdown; it's a strategic reroute that keeps the money flowing where it counts—straight to the grassroots efforts that build the next generation of responsible gun owners. Digging deeper, this move sidesteps the bureaucratic minefield that's plagued NRA programs amid internal turmoil and external attacks from gun-control advocates. By channeling donations through independent nonprofits, FONRA avoids liability traps like state raffle laws and insurance nightmares, ensuring every dollar punches above its weight. For the 2A community, the implications are huge: it preserves a proven fundraising machine that's funded everything from Scholastic Clay Target Programs to museum exhibits, without the NRA bearing the full operational burden. Critics might spin this as retreat, but it's pure chess—adapting to a hostile landscape while amplifying impact. Expect seamless transitions with the same high-energy events rebranded under new banners, keeping volunteers energized and donors hooked. Looking ahead, this path forward supercharges 2A resilience. It decentralizes funding, making it harder for any single lawsuit or smear campaign to derail the momentum. If you're a past participant or donor, rest easy: your passion for firearms education and heritage lives on, now fortified against the storms. Jump in early—scout those partner orgs, plan your 2026 bids, and keep the fire burning. The Friends of NRA legacy isn't fading; it's reloading for the long haul.

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Great news for Second Amendment supporters: the Friends of NRA (FONRA) program isn’t going anywhere—it’s evolving smarter and stronger. After years of raising over $800 million since 1992 for youth shooting sports, training, and community projects through raffles, auctions, and events, the program faced headwinds from skyrocketing insurance costs, venue restrictions, and regulatory scrutiny on raffles. The NRA announced a pivot, suspending its own FONRA events after 2025 and redirecting funds starting in 2026 to a network of trusted 501(c)(3) partners like the Civilian Marksmanship Program and local shooting foundations. This isn’t a shutdown; it’s a strategic reroute that keeps the money flowing where it counts—straight to the grassroots efforts that build the next generation of responsible gun owners.

Digging deeper, this move sidesteps the bureaucratic minefield that’s plagued NRA programs amid internal turmoil and external attacks from gun-control advocates. By channeling donations through independent nonprofits, FONRA avoids liability traps like state raffle laws and insurance nightmares, ensuring every dollar punches above its weight. For the 2A community, the implications are huge: it preserves a proven fundraising machine that’s funded everything from Scholastic Clay Target Programs to museum exhibits, without the NRA bearing the full operational burden. Critics might spin this as retreat, but it’s pure chess—adapting to a hostile landscape while amplifying impact. Expect seamless transitions with the same high-energy events rebranded under new banners, keeping volunteers energized and donors hooked.

Looking ahead, this path forward supercharges 2A resilience. It decentralizes funding, making it harder for any single lawsuit or smear campaign to derail the momentum. If you’re a past participant or donor, rest easy: your passion for firearms education and heritage lives on, now fortified against the storms. Jump in early—scout those partner orgs, plan your 2026 bids, and keep the fire burning. The Friends of NRA legacy isn’t fading; it’s reloading for the long haul.

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