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 2024, the HRC Foundation has awarded 314 scholarships and 23 research grants totaling more than $539,000.00
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 |
|---|---|
| Abigail E Quamme - Horicon Marsh HRC | Purina |
| Allison Anderson - Amite River HRC | Purina |
| Ariel Schmidt - Wisill HRC | Wayne Gey Memorial |
| Ashley Roland - Deer River HRC | Carol Ford Memorial |
| Ashton Grace Broussard - Cajun HRC | Purina |
| Ava Galyn Miller - Old South HRC | Bruce Hall Memorial |
| Brooke Elizabeth McCall - Amite River HRC | Roger Davis & Paul Zellisko Honorary |
| Callie Browning - West Tennessee HRC | Garmin |
| Cameron Wright - West Kentucky HRC | Carol Ford Memorial |
| Caroline Nelson Dudish - Middle Georgia HRC | Purina |
| Charles Robert McCall Jr - Amite River HRC | Wayne Gey Memorial / Colorado River HRC |
| Dylan Aston - East Arkansas HRC | Omar Driscoll Honorary |
| Eleanor Huddleston - White Oak HRC | Gunner Kennels |
| Evelyn Quamme - Horicon Marsh HRC | Garmin |
| Haley Ann Jordt - Muddy Waters HRC | East Arkansas HRC |
| Hunter Schulz - Central Texas HRC | Priefert |
| Isabella Holley - Amite River HRC | Priefert / Gunner Kennels / Ernie Istre Memorial |
| Isabella Rose Nunez | HRC Foundation / Roger Davis Honorary |
| Jackson Miller - Great Lakes HRC | Jack & Lynn Gravely Honorary |
| Jacob Thomas Miller - Old South HRC | John Wallace Memorial |
| John Ross Peedin - Eastern Carolina HRC | Purina |
| Jonah "Asher" Guidry - Cajun HRC | Steve Lach Memorial |
| Kelsey Jean Broussard - Cajun HRC | HRC Region 2 Clubs / Super Retriever Series Club |
| Kevin Wilker - Sandusky Bay HRC | Purina |
| Laney Patrick Lewis - West Mississippi HRC | John Pritchett Memorial |
| Liah Santina Ihrke | Wayne Gey Memorial |
| Logan J Knott - Wisill HRC | HRC Grand |
| Madden Miller - Great Lakes HRC | Purina |
| Madison Solis - Green Country RC | Phillip Freeman Memorial |
| Matthew Wilker - Sandusky Bay HRC | HRC Grand |
| Mercades Norrod - West Tennessee HRC | Rod & Carol Rombauer Memorial / Gateway Retrievers HRC |
| Mia Elise Lowrance - Amite River HRC | Nancy Wiener Memorial |
| Mia Jo Miller - Retrievers Unlimited HRC | Middle Georgia HRC - Mitch Mitchell Memorial / Robert Huschle Memorial |
| Miley Meilu Liebenguth - Southwest Missouri RC | Purina |
| Miranda Sherman - Conowingo HRC | HRC Inc Anniversary T-Shirt Sales |
| Shelby Thompson - West Tennessee HRC | Don Garrett Honorary / Tom Hell Memorial |
| Sophie Browning - West Tennessee HRC | Carol Ford Memorial |
| Thomas Landon Montgomery - White Oak HRC | Garmin / Gunners Up |
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