"Benelli Challenge" Initiative a Huge Success for Wildlife Conservation and Our Shooting Sports Heritage
America's hunting tradition has been and always shall be the foundation of wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. Individual state funding for conservation and habitat improvement through the nearly century-old Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act — legislation adopted in 1937 that applies a manufacturer excise tax on ammunition, firearms, and archery equipment to be used exclusively by the states for wildlife restoration as well as hunter education — for example, has gone a long way toward giving us the hunting and outdoor recreation opportunities we enjoy today. Unfortunately, changing demographics, population growth, loss of our traditional agrarian culture, and other influences continue to challenge wildlife and habitat sustainability and growth.
Funding, as well as passionate volunteers and organizations dedicated to wildlife management and hunter recruitment, are essential if we are to continue to enjoy our hunting heritage for generations to come. Supporting strategic conservation efforts is an important mission at Benelli USA, which is why the company has made a major commitment to conservation fundraising via several focused organizations over the last several months through the Benelli Challenge.
The Benelli Challenge is designed as a fundraising force multiplier to assist targeted wildlife conservation groups to amplify their private and corporate donation programs. The process is relatively simple yet has proven to be highly effective.
For the 2022-2023 fundraising cycle, Benelli donated several of its heralded Super Black Eagle 3 shotguns to the various participating organizations. The challenge for the organizations was to use the Benelli shotguns to solicit individual donations of $10,000 or more. Every donor meeting or exceeding $10,000 would receive one of the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 shotguns in Realtree Max-5 camo.
For the initial Benelli Challenge initiative, the company partnered with three different organizations with well-defined wildlife and habitat conservation missions. These included the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society, California Waterfowl Association, and Delta Waterfowl. The results proved to be significant.
Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society – 20 SBE 3 shotguns donated, raising donor gifts totaling $200,000.
“The Benelli promotion that we ran last winter was one of our most successful fundraising campaigns — one that wouldn’t have been possible without Benelli's support," said Tripp Way, Mid-Atlantic Director of Regional Development for RGS & AWS. "Benelli truly understands habitat management and conservation campaigns like this one move the needle for conservation. The company is a noteworthy and longtime supporter in the wildlife community. I commend them for their attention to detail, both in the products they produce and the way they give back, and we’re excited to continue our partnership,”
Delta Waterfowl – 25 SBE 3 shotguns donated, raising donor gifts totaling $240,000 to date.
“Benelli USA challenged Delta Waterfowl to think outside the box and use Benelli shotguns to raise new money and put more ducks over decoys…and we accepted!" said Brad Heidel, Sr. Director of Marketing for Delta Waterfowl Foundation. "Benelli has always been there for The Duck Hunters Organization, and their continued commitment to ducks and duck hunters is undeniable. We thank everyone at Benelli for their continued support. It does make a difference."
California Waterfowl Association – Benelli SBE 3 donations have helped raise $210,000 to date in ongoing fundraising.
“The additional support and commitment to California Waterfowl’s conservation efforts have been nothing short of tremendous," said Scott Mueller, VP Fund & Membership Development for California Waterfowl Association. "The opportunity to partner with an industry leader like Benelli has ensured our ability to offer additional conservation efforts to achieve a California with thriving waterfowl populations. This spring, vital waterfowl programs like the Egg Salvage Program, Delayed Wheat Harvest Incentive Program, as well as our new Rice Levee Program will support even more local nesting waterfowl than ever before. Benelli has really helped make an impact in combatting declining populations of California’s waterfowl.”
In addition to working with these and other conservation groups to grow sustainable wildlife populations and suitable environments, Benelli extended its Benelli Challenge initiative to fostering the next generation of shooters and hunters.
Earlier this year, Benelli partnered with the Baltimore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America to help the organization with its Diamond Anniversary Capital Campaign. The goal of the campaign was to raise funds for capital range improvements at the Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation in Whiteford, Maryland — where Scouts are introduced to firearms and learn the skills and safety protocols for what is hoped to be a lifetime of enjoyment and responsible use in the field and on the range.
For this campaign, Benelli introduced a $20,000 challenge grant, where the company matched contributions up to $20,000. On top of that, donors gifting $5,000 or more received a Super Black Eagle 3 shotgun.
In all, Benelli's contributions leveraged over $53,000 in donations to build a new five-stand shotgun range at the Broad Creek facility.
"The objective of our participation in the Baltimore Area Council, BSA campaign, as with several other philanthropic efforts we have recently been involved in, was to provide goodwill to some smaller groups that felt a significant financial strain during the COVID years," said Tom DeBolt, Benelli USA General Manager. "While support for wildlife conservation and habitat improvement is a large focus for us, so is shepherding the next generation of shooters and hunting enthusiasts. While it may be a cliché, it is also true…the seeds we plant today will bear fruit tomorrow. And that is something we must never lose sight of."
