Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund
Based in Springfield, Missouri, Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is a public charity that makes grants for conservation and education initiatives. Its stated priorities are conserving fish and wildlife habitat, connecting new audiences to the outdoors, and protecting hunting and fishing heritage. The fund says it is supported by customers who round up purchases, alongside team members, industry partners, and conservation organizations.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund at a glance
In short: Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund gave $7.9M across 126 grants in 2024 (avg $63K), top state District of Columbia. 62% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,896,676
- +23.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 126
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $62,672
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $14,174,742
- -15.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 62% first-time grantees (78 of 125, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (16% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund
- How to Apply
-
The available program information identifies municipalities and registered nonprofits in the United States and Canada as eligible for the Local Impact Grant. The Missouri Ozarks program identifies municipalities, public institutions, and organizations registered with the IRS as 501(c)(3) or another 501(c) organization as eligible. The program descriptions direct applicants to the funder’s website for more information.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2500 E Kearney St, Springfield, MO 65898
Phone: (417) 873-5529
Website: https://about.basspro.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund
Community Support - Fundraising Events and Giveaway Donations Grant
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund
Amount
Up to US $2,500 in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Support - Missouri Ozarks Community Donations Grant
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Outdoor Fund - Local Impact Grant
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ducks Unlimited ($750K). Together the top 10 received $3.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
465 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 324 grants of 465 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund’s filing says it collects donations in the United States and Canada and distributes grants to qualifying nonprofits and charities in both countries. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were directed to Washington, DC (16%), Montana (13%), Tennessee (10%), Florida (7%), and South Carolina (7%). Its listed Missouri Ozarks donations program focuses on Springfield, Branson, and surrounding areas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 126 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund open to new grantees?
62%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 78 of 125 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $40K; repeat grants $101K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2020) to $7.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 126 grants totaling $7.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks Unlimited Memphis, TN | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $750,000 |
| Congressional Sportsmen's Fnd Washington, DC | Advocating for Sportsmen's Rights | $550,000 |
| National Fish Habitat Fund Washington, DC | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $500,000 |
| National Wild Turkey Federation Inc Edgefield, SC | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $500,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Elk Fnd Missoula, MT | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $382,000 |
| Missouri Conservation Heritage Fnd Jefferson City, MO | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $250,000 |
| Mule Deer Fnd Clearfield, UT | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $250,000 |
| Trout Unlimited Arlington, VA | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $250,000 |
| National Audubon Society New York, NY | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $231,831 |
| The Wyldlife Fund Buffalo, WY | Conserving Wildlife and Habitat | $210,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,174,742 | $7,621,730 | $10,282,103 | $7,896,676 | 126 |
| 2023 | $16,687,741 | $8,348,273 | $9,128,896 | $6,378,246 | 108 |
| 2022 | $16,497,637 | $8,586,448 | $5,711,080 | $4,409,192 | 82 |
| 2021 | $14,575,213 | $9,618,697 | $6,022,672 | $4,881,592 | 86 |
| 2020 | $10,982,232 | $8,690,827 | $5,238,908 | $4,143,337 | 63 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund’s stated mission is to support conservation and education initiatives that conserve fish and wildlife habitat, introduce new audiences to the outdoors, and protect hunting and fishing heritage. Its filing describes grants to nonprofit organizations working in those areas. It reports that 2024 grants supported conservation or opened access to thousands of acres of land and water, reached thousands of people through outdoor education and activities, and provided outdoor gear to more than 200 scouting groups in the United States and Canada.
The fund’s website also describes three focus areas: conserving wildlife and habitat, connecting new audiences to the outdoors, and advocating for sportsmen’s rights. Examples of grantees’ own stated missions illustrate the work supported. The National Fish Habitat Fund says it funds on-the-ground activities to protect and restore fish habitat through partnerships. The National Wild Turkey Federation says it is dedicated to wild turkey conservation and preserving hunting heritage. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation describes work on land protection and access, habitat stewardship, wildlife management, and hunting heritage. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation says it works on policy and legislation related to hunting, angling, recreational shooting, trapping, and fish and wildlife conservation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the fund reported 126 grants totaling $7,896,676. Grant amounts ranged from $5,200 to $750,000, with a median grant of $15,000.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $750,000 to Ducks Unlimited for conserving wildlife and habitat; $550,000 to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation for advocating for sportsmen’s rights; and $500,000 each to the National Fish Habitat Fund and the National Wild Turkey Federation for conserving wildlife and habitat. Other large awards included $382,000 to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and $250,000 each to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, and Trout Unlimited, all for conserving wildlife and habitat. The filing also reports a $200,000 grant to Our Community Our Future, a 501(c)(4) organization, for advocacy and education efforts focused on preventing passage of Colorado’s ballot initiative 127.
The fund’s listed Local Impact Grant offers up to $5,000 for local projects near retail locations that align with conserving wildlife and habitat or connecting new audiences to the outdoors. Examples include youth fishing clinics, adaptive kayak launches, gear libraries, and trail maintenance. Its listed Missouri Ozarks Community Donations program supports local nonprofits in Springfield, Branson, and surrounding areas, with requests for any amount. The fund’s program information says applicants can learn more about these opportunities through the funder’s website.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John Paul Morris, Megan Morris Stack, Dale Hall, Collin O’Mara, Sara Parker Pauley, and Robert Ziehmer as directors. Robert Ziehmer is also listed as president. Shana Parrott is listed as secretary and treasurer.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund is led by Robert Ziehmer, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Ziehmer
President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Paul Morris
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Morris Stack
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Collin O'Mara
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale Hall
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Parker Pauley
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shana Parrott
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Kevin P. Hogan (2020) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Martin Macdonald (2020) — Director
- Former: Rob S. Keck (2020) — Director & Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund
How much does Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund give each year?
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund gave $7.9M across 126 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6.4M across 108 grants.
What is Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's typical grant size?
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $62,672, across 126 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund that year got $40K on average.
Where does Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund give grants?
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's top state is District of Columbia, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Montana (13%) and Tennessee (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (5 grants), Bozeman, MT (5 grants), Missoula, MT (4 grants) and Springfield, MO (3 grants).
Does Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 126 grants with a stated purpose on Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Connect New Audiences" (58 grants), "Conserving Wildlife and Habitat" (53 grants) and "Connect New Audience" (9 grants).
Who are Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's largest grantees?
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Ducks Unlimited ($750,000), Congressional Sportsmen's Fnd ($550,000) and National Fish Habitat Fund ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund?
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund reported $14.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.6M.
What does Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund fund?
The fund’s stated mission is to support conservation and education initiatives that conserve fish and wildlife habitat, introduce new audiences to the outdoors, and protect hunting and fishing heritage. Its filing describes grants to nonprofit organizations working in those areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund?
The available program information identifies municipalities and registered nonprofits in the United States and Canada as eligible for the Local Impact Grant. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's EIN?
Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0691791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bass-pro-shops-and-cabelas-outdoor-fund-morg_f9992a52ce89431ca8fe6c41abb00c33
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_830691791_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bass Pro Shops \& Cabelas Outdoor Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bass-pro-shops-and-cabelas-outdoor-fund-morg_f9992a52ce89431ca8fe6c41abb00c33},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Outdoor Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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