A Legacy Carried Forward. A Future Being Built.
Formerly known as The NRA Foundation, the 1791 Foundation builds on decades of national impact with renewed focus for the future.
Where the Future of Freedom Is Built
For decades, the NRA Foundation served as a driving force behind firearm education, safety training, and conservation efforts across the country. Established to support programs that promote responsible firearm use and preserve America’s hunting and shooting traditions, the Foundation invested hundreds of millions of dollars into communities nationwide - funding youth education, law enforcement training, competitive shooting, and conservation initiatives that strengthened both skills and stewardship.
That work created a lasting impact. It introduced new generations to shooting sports, supported those who protect and serve, and helped ensure that the principles underlying the Second Amendment were not only understood, but actively carried forward. Today, that legacy continues under a new name and with renewed clarity of purpose.
As the 1791 Foundation, we are building on this strong foundation, honoring what has been accomplished while sharpening our focus on the future. The transition reflects a commitment to operate with greater independence, discipline, efficiency, and long-term vision, ensuring that every investment directly supports programs that sustain and strengthen this fundamental freedom.
Our mission remains grounded in what has always mattered: supporting the people, programs, and communities that carry this work forward. But this new chapter allows us to do so with greater focus, transparency, and impact, positioning the Foundation to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The name 1791 is intentional. It marks the ratification of the Bill of Rights, and with it, the enduring recognition of the freedoms we exist to preserve. It is both a reminder of where this work began and a signal of where it is going.
Promise
Our
This new chapter reflects a return to first principles, rooted in the purpose that began with the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791 and the enduring recognition of the Second Amendment as a cornerstone of American freedom. With renewed focus and leadership, the 1791 Foundation is positioned to operate with greater clarity and accountability — defined by strengthened independence, disciplined stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to donor intent. This is not a break from the past; it is a deliberate evolution, grounded in what has always mattered and sharpened for what comes next.
Rooted in 1791 principles.
Founded in 1990
The NRA Foundation is established to support firearm education, training, and conservation nationwide.
Expanding Reach
Investments span youth education, law enforcement training, competitive shooting, and conservation efforts across the country.
Over $500 million awarded through tens of thousands of grants, reaching all 50 states and millions of Americans.
Transition to the 1791 Foundation, building on decades of impact with renewed focus, independence, and long-term vision.
A New Chapter
National Impact
MILESTONES
For decades, this foundation has supported freedom. Now, it is stronger than ever and focused on what comes next.
Established in 1990 as The NRA Foundation, this work continues today through the 1791 Foundation.
The Foundation is guided by a diverse and experienced Board made up of individuals who bring both long-standing knowledge of the organization and a clear-eyed understanding of the opportunities ahead.
Their collective experience—both within the Foundation and across their respective fields—ensures continuity with what has worked, while providing the judgment and perspective needed to lead the organization forward.
This Board understands the past, is aligned on the mission, and is committed to strengthening the Foundation’s future through thoughtful oversight and responsible governance.
Board of Trustees
Tom King
Ronnie Barrett
Barbara Rumpel
Blaine Wade
Bob Barr
Charles Cotton
Eb Wilkinson
Jay Wallace
Joel Friedman
Scott Bach
Barry Partlo
President
Vice President
Cyndi Flannigan
Peter Churchbourne
Executive Director
Meet Our Team
Skipp Galythly
General Counsel
Ruthann McManus Sprague
David Coy
Director of Grants & Corporate Secretary
The 1791 Foundation is led by a deeply experienced team with decades of direct, hands-on involvement with the Foundation.
Collectively, our staff has spent decades working within the organization—understanding its history, its strengths, and it's founding vision—while also bringing meaningful outside experience that strengthens how we operate today.
We are one team that has lived the work, recognized the gaps, and is now positioned to build something stronger, more disciplined, more efficient, and more enduring. This is not a reset driven by theory, but by firsthand knowledge and a clear commitment to steward these resources with greater focus, accountability, and long-term impact.
Dave Kelner
Director of Development
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Peter Churchbourne is a longtime nonprofit professional and philanthropic leader with more than 30 years of organizational leadership experience across the outdoor recreation, hunting, conservation, and shooting sports industries. A dedicated advocate for Second Amendment education, the promotion of firearm safety, hunter education, marksmanship, and the advancement of the shooting sports, he has built a career focused on long term sustainable growth, strengthening deliverables for organizations, creating efficiencies and expanding the impact of the organizations he is helping.
Peter’s most recent experience prior to taking on the Executive Director role was the Managing Director of both the Hunters Leadership Forum AND the Hunting, Conservation and Ranges Division at the NRA for 10 years. This unique dual role had him working closely and often representing the Foundations interests and delivering grants through NRA qualified programs, and on the front lines of fundraising for various NRA initiatives. Peter incepted, directed and produced the award-winning NRA Free online Hunter Education course that has certified over 200,000 US hunters. He also produced the research book, “How to Talk about Hunting”, and invented “Wild Game Meat Donation Month”. Peter represented the NRA and acted as their representative on many boards, subcommittees, and advisory groups in various federal and state organizations.
Peter Churchbourne
Executive Director
Prior to the NRA, Peter worked at Ducks Unlimited for 17 years in various leadership roles around the US and Canada and was part of the leadership team that managed their very successful event system. That team was responsible for producing over 4000 yearly events, managing over 60,000 volunteers and raising over $55,000,000 net net dollars yearly for DU’s conservation work. In his time with DU Peter learned and contributed a great deal to the expansion of their grassroots event fund raising event system.
Peter is an avid outdoorsman, spending most of his free time, hunting, target shooting, competitive shooting, mountain biking, bee keeping, or volunteering for his various causes.
Executive Director
Skipp serves as the General Counsel for the 1791 Foundation and brings with him 28 years of nonprofit legal and business experience. Skipp has represented the Foundation in a wide variety of legal matters over the past 23 years, first as in-house counsel during the Foundation’s earlier affiliation, as outside counsel upon his retirement in 2023, and then returning as General Counsel in 2025. He has a long history of protecting the Foundation and ensuring that charitable dollars are wisely and properly spent, that donor intent is honored, and that Foundation assets are safeguarded. His work for the Foundation includes matters such as tax, corporate, and employment law as well as contracts, purchasing, and charitable solicitations and gaming. Skipp earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, where the Foundation funded the Patrick Henry Professorship of Constitutional Law and the Second Amendment as an endowed chair. He attended law school at night while working full-time in the nonprofit sector during the day.
Skipp Galythly
General Counsel
General Counsel
Ruthann McManus Sprague brings more than 25 years of experience across nonprofit leadership, public affairs, education, and community engagement in the United States and Europe.
She began her career in broadcasting and community relations before serving as a Department of the Army civilian in Germany, where she managed public affairs operations and led large-scale community and international engagement initiatives. After raising her family, she returned to professional life in education leadership before joining the National Rifle Association.
Ruthann spent over 18 years with the NRA in a variety of leadership roles supporting education, training, and outreach. As National Coordinator for the Refuse To Be A Victim® program, she oversaw more than 3,800 instructors across North America and significantly expanded program reach. She also played a key role in developing national outreach initiatives, including programs
focused on increasing women’s participation in the shooting sports.
Director of Grants & Corporate Secretary
She later joined the NRA Foundation, where she has spent more than a decade in leadership roles within the grant program, including as Manager of Grants Administration and Assistant Director of Grant Outreach & Strategy. During her tenure, Foundation grantmaking more than doubled,
and she led the implementation of a modern grant management system while strengthening relationships with partners nationwide. She currently serves as Secretary to the NRA Foundation Board of Trustees.
Ruthann is also a certified Basic Pistol Instructor and serves as both an Instructor and Regional Counselor for the Refuse To Be A Victim® program.
She holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Communications from Pace University, where she graduated summa cum laude.
Director of Grants & Corporate Secretary
Dave Kelner
Dave Kelner is an accomplished nonprofit executive and fundraiser with more than 30 years of experience. After college, he began his career as a Field Director for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in New York and New England, later relocating to the western United States and rising to Vice President of Fundraising.
In early 2014, Kelner joined the NRA as the Advancement Officer for the western states, where his fundraising efforts were focused in support of the NRA Foundation’s mission. In 2020, following a national search, he was named Executive Director of the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico, a 50-square-mile destination for shooting sports, firearms training, conservation initiatives, and youth programs. As the Center’s principal fundraiser, Kelner led a two-person team that raised $9 million in 18 months to strengthen the Center’s long-term future.
Kelner holds a degree in Business Administration from SUNY Morrisville and is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving at California State University, Long Beach. An avid hunter and conservationist, Kelner has guided and hunted extensively across the United States and internationally.
Director of Development
Director of Development
David Coy
David Coy is a retired Professor of Accountancy, having taught at Adrian College for 32 years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His areas of instruction included financial and managerial accounting, accounting systems, fraud examination, taxation, and accounting for not-for-profit organizations. He retired in August 2021. During his academic career, he also served as a guest lecturer at Hillsdale College, teaching multiple courses over three semesters. Prior to entering academia, he spent 13 years in public accounting and the healthcare industry, ultimately serving as Chief Financial Officer for a proprietary healthcare firm.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Adrian College, graduating cum laude with a double major in Business Administration and History, and later completed his MBA through the University of Toledo’s evening program. He has also completed extensive continuing professional education throughout his career.
David was first elected to the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association of America in 1998 and served until his voluntary resignation in 2025. During his tenure, he served on and chaired multiple committees and was elected Second Vice President of the Board.
He has long been engaged in Second Amendment issues, including public speaking, writing, and education. He has authored more than 100 columns on legislative matters for Trap and Field magazine and developed a professional education course for financial planners and estate administrators.
David resides in Adrian, Michigan with his wife of over 50 years, Emily. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Executive Director
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Explore four Townhall articles written by the Foundation’s Executive Director and rooted in the Foundation’s mission.