Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout Eclipses All-Time Donation Mark With $730,000 Raised From 2024 Event

Some how, some way, the unique, charitable, competitive and impactful Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in Central Missouri went above and beyond its 2023 record-setting amount donated by $55,000, as the event’s board of directors announced this evening that the 2024 donation total reached $730,000.

The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Board of Directors was proud to announce its multitude of 2024 events raised a total of $730,000. Photo courtesy Studio T Images

According to a press release, the Shootout Board of Directors and its dedicated volunteers—not-for-profit beneficiaries—gathered tonight at Dog Days Bar & Grill in Osage Beach Mo., to disperse funds raised from the multitude of 2024 happenings the Shootout hosts beyond the top-speed competition. It was the first time the Presentation of Checks Ceremony took place at Dog Days, which was recently announced as the new host location for next year’s 37th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.

“From its humble beginnings to all that this magnificent event has become today, I am just so proud of everything that the Shootout’s team has accomplished over the years,” said Shootout Board President Mark Maasen in the release. “The total amount donated tonight is simply astonishing, and it would not be possible without our amazing volunteers, sponsors, spectators, safety officials, racers and Board of Directors. I am very grateful for each and every one of them. The Shootout’s future move to Dog Days Bar & Grill and cost savings associated with this transition of venues will only drive the donation amount higher for our incredibly deserving charities. The money donated back to our fantastic community goes a long way in helping the needs of our area, and I am humbly blessed to lead the Shootout in its next chapter.”

The beneficiaries of this year’s Shootout include 43 tri-county non-profit organizations, municipal police agencies and fire departments. Last year, the Shootout’s donations were utilized to provide free training for emergency responders, a safe and sober after-prom lock-in, free, nutritious meals and supplementing food for families in need, sustainable access to diapers and essential hygiene products, camping activities for children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities and respite for their caregivers, wishes to children with critical illnesses, community safety, protection and advocacy for victims of domestic violence, indoor recess equipment and activities for classrooms, sheltering animals with no-kill policies, and so much more.

“2024 was a year of growth and our organization took on a lot of infrastructure and investments within its two major events (Shootout and Shootout Offshore),” explained Shootout Executive Director Leah Martin in the release. “We have taken major steps in the way of first-class production which has reached new heights by engaging viewers across the United States of America and all over the world. Along with the Shootout’s sponsorship dollars, the event’s registration and merchandise sales have a significant impact on the total amount donated to our lake area charities each year. This year’s proceeds would not have been made possible without the endless support of our philanthropic donors, sponsors, and the general donations we received along the way. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to Performance Boat Center, Monster Energy, the R.J. Noble Foundation, the Wilson Family Foundation, XINSURANCE, Woods Supermarket, and so many others. Thank you, all.”

The 37th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout will take place at a new location in August 2025. Photos by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

The first year on record that the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout donated more than $100,000 occurred in 2012, five years after the event made the transition from Shooters 21 to Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill, and the past seven years have emboldened the event’s momentum of upward, onward, and greater than ever before with each passing year.

From $300,000 raised in 2018 to $730,000 this year, and with so many organizations relying on these vital donations, the Shootout shows no signs of slowing down. With tonight’s donations, the board stated that the Shootout has given back a projected $5,455,000 to the Lake of the Ozarks since 1989.

“The Shootout continues to grow year after year, and we’re excited to celebrate a new record again, yet again,” MTI Vice President and Shootout Board Member Taylor Scism stated emphatically in the release. “We are so grateful for the volunteers and attendees that make this event possible each year.”