Hunting Retriever Club, Inc. established the HRC Foundation, Inc. in 1994. Under the direction of its officers and directors, the HRC Foundation awards annual grants and educational scholarships. The sizable grants are primarily awarded to worthwhile animal health research projects at various universities and colleges. As of 2023, the HRC Foundation has awarded 254 Scholarships to HRC members and 23 Research Grants with total contributions of over $428,500.00.
The establishment of The Hunting Retriever Club Foundation was spearheaded by Roger Davis. In 1994, the proposed Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws for the Foundation were developed in preparation of filing for the Exempt Status. Initial attempts were rejected by the IRS and, in March of 1995, we were instructed to amend our Articles of Incorporation to include “The Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and religious or scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986”. On 5/18/1995, The Internal Revenue Service approved The Hunting Retriever Club Foundation, Inc. as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. During the National Meeting in June of 1998, The HRC Foundation provided the first $1000 scholarships to 4 individuals – Carol Karas – Chris Payne – Samantha Ley – Dana Morein. At this same meeting, a $1000 Grant was approved for the University of Wisconsin Veterinary School for Canine Cancer Research.
Applications are accepted January through April and available scholarships are awarded at the Hunting Retriever Club Inc. annual Board of Directors meeting in June. Application details and information is available in the Dec/January issue of Hunting Retriever Magazine. The online application is located in the "Library" page of the HRC Website.
The HRC Foundation is sustained by the generous contributions of our members and corporate sponsors. There are several ways you can contribute to this worthwhile organization.
Any individual or club can donate $250.00 to join the Solid Gold club. All donations go to the General Foundation Fund and if you want to make a specific donation, please note on the check where you want the donation to go.
The relationships between HRC members and their retrievers is quite unique and unlike any other dog enthusiast organization. In addition to being magnificent hunting partners, HRC members consider their retrievers as companions and members of their families. HRC members also liken their membership in HRC not to an organization, but to a family.
In 1996, in an effort to afford the opportunity to convey special remembrance of the final retrieves of our retrievers and lost HRC Members, the HRC Board of Directors established the HRC Memorial / Honor Program. The program is also used to honor the accomplishments of our retrievers and individuals of HRC.
All funds derived from Memorial / Honor contributions go to a depository for the benefit of the HRC Foundation, Inc. or to any specific charitable designee of the contributor through the Foundation.
We are fortunate to have the support of Corporate Sponsors. If your company would like to inquire about sponsorship opportunities please reach out to our Sponsor Committee (link)
Student / Club | Scholarship Awarded |
---|---|
Austen Anderson - WISILL HRC | Wayne Gey Memorial Scholarship |
Sydney Barnett - Central Florida HRC | Lucky Duck Kennels Sponsorhship |
Bryan Boykin - Dogtown HRC | HRC Grand Sponsorship |
Garris Boykin - Dogtown HRC | Wayne Gey Memorial Scholarship |
Ashton Grace Broussard - Cajun HRC | Omar Driskill Honorary Scholarship |
Kelsi Broussard - Cajun HRC | Wayne Gey Memorial Scholarship |
Callie Browning - West Tennessee HRC | Purina Sponsorship |
Sophie Browning - West Tennessee HRC | Middle GA HRC Scholarship - Gunners Up Sponsorship |
Riley Brundrett - Colorado River HRC | HRC Foundation (2023 BOD Raffle Fund) |
Samantha Collins - Central Kentucky HRC | Robert Huschle Memorial Scholarship / Bradshaw Sporting Dog Sponsorship |
James Eikoff - Mount Rushmore HRC | Gunner Kennel Sponsorship |
Kerrstyn Dewoody - Felsenthal HRC | Phillip Freeman Memorial Scholarship |
James Hoffman - Northeast Texas HRC | John Wallace Memorial Scholarship |
Isabella Holley - Amite River HRC | Carol Ford Memorial Scholarship |
Ellie Huddleston - White Oak HRC | Purina Sponsorship |
Logan Knott - WISILL HRC | Rod & Carol Rombauer Memorial / Bradshaw Sporting Dog Sponsorship |
Laney Lewis - West Mississippi HRC | Purina Sponsorship |
Allison Liddle - North Louisiana HRC | Wayne Gey Memorial Scholarship |
Brookelyn Livanac - Southeast Texas HRC | Ted Preston Memorial Scholarship - Gunners Up Sponsorship |
Emma Luker - Colorado River HRC | Omar Driskill Honorary Scholarship |
Ava Miller - Old South HRC | Wayne Gey Memorial Scholarship |
Jackson Miller - Great Lakes HRC | HRC Foundation (2023 BOD Raffle Fund) |
Mason Miller - West Kentucky HRC | Garmin Sponsorhip |
Mia Miller - Retrievers Unlimited HRC | Purina Sponsorship |
Thomas Montgomery - White Oak HRC | Purina Sponsorship |
John Ross Peedin - East Carolina HRC | Priefert Sponsorship / Colorado River Retriever Club Scholarship |
Ashley Roland - Deer River HRC | Garmin Sponsorship |
Hunter Schulz - Central Texas HRC | Priefert Sponsorship / Tom Hell Memorial Scholarship |
Ella Shaw - WISILL HRC | Garmin Sponsorship / Gunner Kennel Sponsorship / Doc's Retriever Training Sponsorship |
Drew Sherman - Green Country HRC | Purina Sponsorship |
Madison Solis - Green Country HRC | Purina Sponsorship |
Lola Wiedemann - Gateway HRC | HRC Foundation (2023 BOD Raffle Fund) |
Andrew Wilder - Amberjack Farms HRC | HRC Foundation (General Fund) |
Kevin Wilker - Sandusky Bay HRC | Ernie Istre Memorial Scholarship |
Matthew Wilker - Sandusky Bay HRC | Purina Sponsorship |
The Honor & Memorial Program was established as a means to memorialize lost Retrievers and HRC Members as well as honor the accomplishments and contributions of those still with us. Honorary Scholarships -Omar Driskill Honorary Scholarship -Roger Davis and Paul Zellisko Honorary Scholarship Memorial Scholarships -Carol Ford Memorial Scholarship -Phillip Freeman Memorial Scholarship -Bob Huschle Memorial Scholarship -Ernie Istre Memorial Scholarship -John Pritchett Memorial Scholarship -Rod and Carol Rombauer Memorial Scholarship -John Wallace Memorial Scholarship -Wayne Gey Memorial Scholarship -Tom Hell Memorial Scholarship - Ted Preston Memorial Scholarship Club Scholarships - Middle Georgia HRC - Colorado River Retriever Club