Hunting Retriever Club
Hunting Retriever Club
Hunting Retriever Club
In addition to hosting hunt Tests, Hunting Retriever Club, Inc. established the HRC Foundation, Inc. in 1994. Under the direction of the Foundation President and its Board of Directors, which is comprised of HRC members, it 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 2022, the HRC Foundation has awarded 235 Scholarships to HRC members and 22 Research Grants with total contributions of over $388,500.00.
The Hunting Retriever Club Foundation was spearheaded by Roger Davis. Roger was the Treasurer of HRC Inc. in June of 1993 and contacted a Tax Attorney to examine the income records of HRC Inc. relating to allowable contributions. It was determined that the NON-MEMBER contributions to HRC Inc. exceeded the 35% rule and HRC was asked to amend the tax returns for 1989-1990-1991 and pay taxes on the NON-MEMBER contributions. Because additional corporate donors would be solicited in the future, Roger began working with an Attorney to establish an entity that could solicit and accept those donations. In 1994, the Law Offices of Eugene Mahoney assisted us in the establishment of the proposed Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws for the Foundation 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”. The Illinois Secretary Of State sent notice that the amendment had been filed and 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. Roger stepped down as President of the Foundation in June of 1999 but has continued to support the foundation Board as Vice President since that time. Pete Stritzinger replaced Roger as President and then 4 years later in 2004, Glenn Stelly was appointed President.
Applications are accepted January through April and available scholarships are awarded at the Hunting Retriever Club Inc. annual Board of Directors meeting in June. The application is available in the Feb/March issue of Hunting Retriever Magazine or can be downloaded from 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 |
|---|---|
| Sarah Abott, Midway HRC | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Megan Anderson, Ravensway HRC | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Bryan Boykin, Dogtown HRC | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Garris Boykin, Dogtown HRC | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Ashton Broussard, Cajun HRC | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Kelsey Broussard, Cajun HRC | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Sophie Browning, West Tennessee HRC | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Sabrina Curland, Whistling Wings HRC | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Charles Dowing, Amite River | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Mary Dowing, Amite River | HRC Foundation Scholarship |
| Tanner Goodrich, Midway HRC | Rod & Carol Rombauer Memorial Scholarship |
| Kate England, Badger HRC | Carol Ford Memorial Scholarship |
| Jonah Guldry, Cajun HRC | Ernie Istre Memorial Scholarship |
| Megan Kehoe, Badger HRC | Carol Ford Memorial Scholarship |
| Allison Liddle, Member at Large | Phillip Freeman Memorial Scholarship |
| Logan Knott, Wisill HRC | Bob Huschle Memorial Scholarship |
| Jayden Lawrence, Member at Large | Carol Ford Memorial Scholarship |
| Hunter Poffinbarger, Muddy Waters HRC | Carol Ford Memorial Scholarship |
| Dakota Pollard, Midway HRC | John Wallace Memorial Scholarship |
| Riley Brundrett, Colorado River HRC | Ernie Istre Memorial Scholarship |
| Joseph Pankey, North Louisana HRC | John Pritchett Memorial Scholarship |
| Sarah Pesch, Wisill HRC | Roger Davis and Paul Zellisko Honorary Scholarship |
| Kevin Wilker, Sandusky Bay HRC | Wayne Gey Honorary Scholarship |
| Matthew Wilker, Sandusky Bay HRC | Omar Driskill Honorary Scholarship |
| Emilee McLean, West Tennessee HRC | Omar Driskill Honorary Scholarship |
| Makayla Pesch, Wisill HRC | Omar Driskill Honorary Scholarship |
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 -Roger Davis and Paul Zellisko Honorary Scholarship -Omar Driscoll Honorary Scholarship -Wayne Gey Honorary Scholarship Memorials -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
