National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Doug Hamlin addressed some concerns of members. In the wake of NRA v. NRA Foundation, members are worried about Friends of the NRA Dinners.
Earlier this month it was announced that the National Rifle Association filed a lawsuit against its sister organization the NRA Foundation. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the Foundation is not paying out funds that are specifically earmarked for flagship NRA programs. The primary fundraising mechanism for the Foundation was Friends of the NRA dinners. The number one piece of feedback received from readers after reporting on this conflict was: “What about the Friends of the NRA dinners?” Hamlin has addressed this question.
It’s important to note that the Friends of the NRA program is owned by the 501(c)(4) NRA proper, not the 501(c)(3) Foundation. Where the Friends of the NRA money is diverted is ultimately dictated by the Association.
Award-winning writer and NRA Director John Richardson shared on his “No Lawyers – Only Guns and Money” blog a letter from Hamlin. In Richardson’s post he observed: “With the lawsuit filed by the NRA against the NRA Foundation, there have been many questions regarding the Friends of NRA dinners.” Richardson explained that formerly 50 percent of the monies raised at Friends dinners would stay within the state where the fundraiser was held; the other 50 percent of the funds would be deposited into the NRA Foundation account.
“As of the [sic] February 1st, where that latter 50% goes will be changed,” Richardson wrote. “Instead of going to the NRA Foundation which has been slow walking grant requests among other things, it will go to new and existing NRA 501(c)3 affiliates. This includes the new NRA Patriots Fund that is being incorporated in West Virginia.”
Richardson included a statement from Hamlin which he said was released on Jan. 21, 2026. Bearing Arms confirmed with NRA officials that Hamlin’s statement is authentic. Hamlin opened by stating he wanted to explain some of the changes being made to the Friends of the NRA program.
“As you may know, the NRA Foundation has recently attempted to separate itself from the NRA and has slashed its support for NRA programs, including the NRA’s competitive shooting programs, educational programs, and law- enforcement programs,” Hamlin wrote. “The NRA has filed a lawsuit to stop the Foundation from dishonoring the intent of the millions of Americans who contributed to the Foundation to support these and other NRA programs and to return the Foundation to its historical role.”
Because of the allegations that the Foundation began to withhold funds for these flagship NRA programs, Hamlin explained, there was a recent round of layoffs “of valued and capable field representatives and staff.” He further asserted that “the Friends of NRA program will continue stronger than ever, with some necessary changes.”
Donor intent is something that Hamlin said the NRA and Friends of the NRA will continue to honor. Those funds donated will be earmarked “to continue to preserve and promote the shooting sports and provide the highest-quality education and training programs.”
“The NRA will never waver in honoring our donors’ intent to use their contributions as efficiently and effectively as we can.” — Executive Vice President Doug Hamlin
What’s going to change is how funds raised as charitable donations under 501(c)(3) IRS regulations are deposited.
“Beginning February 1, 2026, funds raised through the Friends of NRA program will be directed to the NRA’s other 501(c)(3) affiliates like the new NRA Patriot Fund or NRA Freedom Action Foundation,” Hamlin wrote. “As before, these 501(c)(3) affiliates will reserve half of all net proceeds for grant distribution to qualified programs at the local level. They will use the remaining fifty percent to fund national NRA programs and operations. Your field representative will be in touch with you with more details soon.”
Getting a bright-line answer from the NRA’s executive vice president should put donors at ease. While people planning Friends of the NRA dinners have been scrambling because it’s alleged the Foundation has cut off supplying merchandise that would be used for auction and raffle at the events, Hamlin noted that it’s a priority to get all the business side of things in order including the procurement of merchandise and to “develop fulfillment processes for events.”
Hamlin’s letter can be read in full HERE at Richardson’s blog.
Concerning the multiple allegations that the NRA Foundation is being accused of, they have ignored repeated requests (one, two, three, and one undocumented request prior to the first) for information and/or comment.
Of those requests, they were asked about who serves on the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, who are the officers of the Foundation, and who are the employees of the Foundation — information that’s supposed to be made available to all donors. The Foundation was further asked if they changed their bylaws to make their board self-appointing. It was also requested of them to provide details of any payouts they may have made and to which programs.
A Jan. 14 query specifically asked the Foundation these questions:
- Is David Coy being paid $205,000 as Treasurer of the Foundation? What is his salary?
- How much is Peter Churchborne being paid as the CEO of the Foundation?
- Are you currently paying a marketing firm $12,500 per month for services?
It appears that people wanting to know the answers to some of those questions will have to wait until 990s are filed later this year and next year.
The Foundation has yet to respond to any correspondence though its official channels. However, an email sent directly to NRA Foundation President Tom King on Jan. 5 did garner the following response: “Our lawyers are analyzing the filed documents at this time until I hear from them I’m unable to make a comment. Sorry but I’ll be glad to speak with you when I’m able to.” [sic]
As more information becomes available about NRA v. NRA Foundation, we’ll be providing updates. In the meantime, per Hamlin’s letter, the Friends of the NRA dinners will continue and donors should not worry about their funds going into an account controlled by the Foundation.
Author’s Note: If you’d like to tune into an episode of Gun Owners Radio where the NRA v. NRA Foundation lawsuit was discussed, you can check it out HERE or in the embed below. During the Jan. 7 interview I provided as much info as I could at the time that I collected about the conflict. Note that in the opening host Michael Schwartz inadvertently referred to the Foundation and the Friends of the NRA as being one in the same. That was clarified after his monologue and only highlights the confusing quagmire that’s persisting from this lawsuit.
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