Youth Shooting Sports Alliance

The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) operates as a non-profit equipment and supply provider for youth shooting sports organizations. Working in partnership with the Mule Deer Foundation, YSSA exists to remove barriers that prevent young people from participating in competitive shooting sports.

YSSA provides equipment loans to qualifying organizations running youth shooting programs. This means your club or organization can access:

• •Firearms (.22 pistols, .22 rifles, air pistols, air rifles, shotguns)
• •Archery equipment and bows
• •Complete setup for competitive shooting events

No need to purchase expensive equipment outright—YSSA loans what you need to run a quality program.

Beyond equipment loans, YSSA donates consumable supplies to keep programs running:

• •Targets (all types for shooting and archery)
• •Hearing protection (critical for safe range operations)
• •Eye protection (required PPE)
• •Additional supplies as inventory allows

YSSA serves youth organizations nationwide across all 50 states, with particular strength in:

YSSA equipment enables youth competition in:

• •.22 Pistol (precision handgun)
• •.22 Rifle (precision rifle)
• •.22 LR Pistol
• •Air Pistol (Olympic-style discipline)
• •Air Rifles (precision and 3-position competition)
• •Shotgun (trap, skeet, sporting clays)
• •Archery (recurve and compound)

The Application Process

Organizations seeking help with equipment, supplies, or consumables should:

1. Click "Apply For A Grant Today" on the YSSA website 2. Complete the equipment/supply request form 3. Describe your youth program and participation levels 4. Submit documentation of your organization's nonprofit status

:::important YSSA prioritizes applications from established youth organizations with demonstrated commitment to competitive shooting sports training. :::

YSSA's partnership with the Mule Deer Foundation connects youth shooting sports with conservation education, emphasizing outdoor skills, wildlife management, and responsible hunting traditions.

• •Equipment Without Capital Investment — Launch programs without $5,000+ equipment purchases

• •Supply Chain Support — Reliable access to targets, PPE, and consumables

• •National Network — Part of established youth shooting sports infrastructure

• •Flexible Terms — Equipment loans work around your program schedule

• •Conservation Focus — Aligns youth development with outdoor stewardship values