The National Rifle Association of America filed a federal lawsuit on January 5, 2026, against the NRA Foundation, accusing the Foundation of trademark infringement, misuse of donor-restricted funds, and efforts to sever its historic relationship with the NRA. The case, National Rifle Association of America v. NRA Foundation, Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and includes a demand for a jury trial.
In a press release issued the same day, the NRA stated that the lawsuit seeks to protect its intellectual property and ensure that funds donated to support NRA charitable and educational programs are used as intended by donors. According to the NRA, current Foundation leadership has acted in bad faith by withholding funding, misleading donors, and attempting to operate independently while continuing to use NRA trademarks and branding.
NRA CEO and Executive Vice President Doug Hamlin said the lawsuit was a last resort. He stated that the Foundation was created to support the NRA’s mission and that its current leadership has taken adversarial actions at a time when the NRA is restructuring and focused on long-term reform. Hamlin said donor expectations are being undermined and that NRA charitable programs are being placed at risk.
According to the complaint, the NRA established the NRA Foundation in 1990 as a 501(c)(3) organization to fund gun safety, education, and other charitable programs that could not be directly supported through the NRA’s 501(c)(4) structure. These programs include the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program and the NRA National Firearms Museum. The lawsuit alleges that nearly all funds raised by the Foundation—primarily through Friends of NRA events—were solicited using the NRA name, trademarks, and staff, with the clear understanding that the money would support NRA charitable activities.
The NRA claims that the Foundation currently holds more than $160 million in donor-restricted assets intended to support NRA programs. The complaint alleges that Foundation leadership has refused to approve any grant funding for NRA charitable activities for 2026, harming both the organization and the public programs it operates.
Central to the lawsuit are allegations that a group of former NRA directors, aligned with prior NRA leadership, retained control of the Foundation after NRA members voted in reform-oriented leadership. The complaint alleges that these individuals attempted to amend the Foundation’s bylaws and articles of incorporation to eliminate NRA oversight, make the board self-perpetuating, and sever the Foundation’s obligation to support NRA programs. The NRA argues these actions violated District of Columbia nonprofit law and the Foundation’s own governing documents.
The NRA further alleges that the Foundation has unlawfully used NRA trademarks—including the “NRA” name and Friends of NRA branding—to solicit donations and offer programs that compete with the NRA, creating donor confusion and violating federal trademark law. Claims filed include trademark infringement, false designation of origin, trademark dilution, breach of charitable trust, unjust enrichment, and unauthorized diversion of charitable assets.
In its prayer for relief, the NRA is asking the court to block the Foundation from using NRA trademarks, require donor-restricted funds to be used for NRA charitable activities, invalidate disputed bylaw amendments, and potentially appoint an independent trustee or monitor to oversee the funds. The NRA is also seeking damages, attorneys’ fees, and injunctive relief to prevent further alleged misuse of assets.
The NRA stated that it continues to believe the Foundation’s purpose should be to support NRA programs and that donor intent must be honored. The case now moves forward in federal court, where the allegations will be tested through litigation.
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