President’s Message
- First and foremost, the Foundation exists to help preserve ethical sport hunting on a global basis. In 1999 we changed our name to Weatherby Foundation International to make it more representative of our many supporters around the world and the scope of our activities in support of hunting preservation and wildlife conservation.
- The Foundation recognizes that wildlife conservation goes hand in hand with ethical sport hunting. This is one reason why we changed the name of the Weatherby Big Game Trophy Award to the Weatherby Hunting and Conservation Award. We wanted to highlight the increased emphasis on wildlife conservation as one of the main criteria used in selecting the award winner. To demonstrate our commitment to wildlife conservation, we present a $5,000 honorarium to the Weatherby Award winner. The honorarium is, in turn, given to a wildlife conservation organization of the winner’s choice.
- The Foundation understands that our youth are the ultimate key to hunting preservation and wildlife conservation. As a result we have focused our philanthropic efforts on activities and grants which support educational programs. Chief among these is the Outdoor Expo Campaign which helps introduce thousands of young people to worthwhile outdoor activities each year. We believe these Expos are an effective way to counter negative attacks on hunting and increase understanding of its beneficial role in our society and environment.
- Since its formation in 1988, the Foundation has provided a way to help continue the life’s work of Roy E. Weatherbyand honor his memory. Founder of Weatherby, Inc., Roy Weatherby was a great man, an influential figure in firearms and hunting circles worldwide, and a dedicated supporter of wildlife conservation, hunter education and safety.
- The Foundation’s directors are a dedicated group of sportsmen and sportswomen who practice what they preach and serve totally at their own expense on a volunteer basis. We don’t play politics and have no hidden agendas. We are a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Foundation are deductible.
