World Archery secures landmark $2M Easton Foundations grant to expand global member development
World Archery has secured USD 2 million in funding from Easton Foundations to significantly increase development support for its member associations over the next four years.
The funding will provide USD 500,000 annually from 2026 to 2029 and will be used exclusively for international development activities – infrastructure, equipment and knowledge – delivered through World Archery’s Development and Education Department.
The Easton Foundations have a decades-long legacy of philanthropic support for archery.
Founded by the late Jim Easton – who championed the sport’s global expansion as World Archery President from 1989 to 2005 – the foundations have historically driven progress through facility development, access to equipment, and widespread educational grants. This latest contribution continues that enduring partnership with the international archery community.
World Archery President Greg Easton said the investment reinforced a clear commitment to putting member associations at the centre of the federation’s development work.
“World Archery exists to serve its member associations. Our responsibility is to understand what our members need, invest where we can make the biggest difference, and give them the tools to grow archery sustainably around the world.”
“This funding gives us the ability to do that on a much greater scale. If our member associations become stronger, archery becomes stronger.”
The three key focus areas of infrastructure, equipment, and knowledge are considered fundamental to sustainable growth.
The new funding will significantly increase investment across all of them, with the first phase focused on expanding the Knowledge Sharing Programme and Equipment Support Programme, alongside the relaunch of World Archery’s online education platform during the 2026-2027 winter season.
The Knowledge Sharing Programme, launched in 2023, connects member associations with international expertise in areas including coaching, athlete development, competition management, administration, and communications. It has grown rapidly, from four funded projects in its first year to 18 approved in the first application round of 2026 alone.
The Equipment Support Programme provides essential archery equipment to member associations where access remains a barrier to participation, with assistance distributed across all five continents since 2023.
Delivery of the expanded programmes will be led by Siret Luik, World Archery’s head of development and education, alongside existing Olympic Solidarity, scholarship, and other education initiatives.
Ken Lane, Executive Director of Easton Foundations, said:
“Easton Foundations are committed to helping archery grow by increasing access to equipment and knowledge, strengthening organisations, and creating opportunities to build the sport locally. We are pleased to support World Archery in increasing the resources available to its member associations and extending the impact of that work around the world.”
The relaunch of World Archery’s online education platform will provide another major focus during the first year of the grant, making learning and development resources more accessible to coaches, officials, administrators, and others working to grow the sport.
World Archery Secretary General Raul Calin said the investment would expand what member associations can access over the coming years:
“On behalf of the Executive Board and our dedicated events and development staff, I want to express our profound gratitude to the Easton Foundations. A contribution of this magnitude – two million dollars over four years – is an extraordinary investment in our capacity to sustainably develop the sport globally.”
“Our priority is ensuring that member associations experience the tangible, on-the-ground benefits of these programmes. The Knowledge Sharing and Equipment Support initiatives already provide practical ways to address their needs. This funding allows us to scale that assistance immensely, while strengthening the educational resources available to the entire international archery community.”
Details on how to apply for these expanded development opportunities will be shared openly with all member associations. Over the four-year funding cycle, future investments will be guided by member needs, regional priorities, and World Archery’s long-term development goals, ensuring continuous and equitable support.
The first USD 500,000 instalment of the grant has already been received, allowing immediate expansion of these initiatives.
Disclosure: World Archery President Greg Easton is also president of Easton Foundations. He recused himself from World Archery’s request for the grant and from the foundations’ decision to approve it.
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