About Haven Training Group
Our Mission: Safety Through Education
At Haven Training Group (HTG), we believe that safety and defensive proficiency are essential community resources that belong to everyone. As a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis, HTG was founded to provide high-quality, scientifically grounded firearm education in an environment that prioritizes the student over the industry.
A Training Space for Everyone
We recognize that the traditional firearms training landscape can often feel intimidating or unwelcoming to some members of our community. Haven Training Group is intentionally designed to be a safe, trauma-informed, inclusive, and affirming space for the LGBT+ community, BIPOC, the progressive left, and all marginalized groups in the Indianapolis area. We believe that every individual has the right to seek self-defense education without fear of judgment, bias, or exclusion. Our instructors are committed to fostering a training environment rooted in mutual respect, where the focus remains strictly on safety, empowerment, and technical excellence.
The HTG Philosophy: Foundations-First
We believe in a disciplined, evidence-based approach to learning. Whether you are a first-time owner or an experienced shooter, our curriculum is built on the principles of safety first, a professional training environment, and proven defensive techniques.
- Inclusive Excellence: We provide professional-grade instruction that is accessible to all, regardless of background or prior experience.
- Small-Group Focus: To ensure a high standard of safety and personalized coaching, we cap our Foundation course at ten students, our Applied sessions at just six students, and our Evolution class at four students, either two pairs of two, or a group of four.
- Trauma-Informed: To foster a high level of comfort and professionalism, HTG has strict policies prohibiting romantic or sexual advances, solicitations, or romantic relationships with any student or training participant. We also have clearly defined restrictions on physical contact between instructors and students. Outside of a safety emergency, no such contact is allowed without explicit verbal or written permission from the student.
- Community Advocacy: As a non-profit, we are not driven by sales, but by the goal of making our neighbors in Indianapolis more capable and more secure.
Community Safety Fund
In furtherance of its charitable mission, Haven Training Group is committed to the “Community Safety Initiative.” Any and all net earnings or excess funds collected by the organization—beyond what is strictly necessary for reasonable instructor compensation, essential company administration, facility overhead, and operational expenses—shall be restricted to a dedicated Community Safety Fund. This fund shall be used exclusively to provide Free Family Firearm Safety Training and safety resources for the Indianapolis community at large. These public programs will focus specifically on:
- Child Safety: Educating parents and guardians on the prevention of accidental discharge and unauthorized access by minors.
- Safe Storage & Access Prevention: Providing resources and instruction on the proper use of safes, locks, and secure storage solutions within the home. To reduce financial barriers to safety, HTG will work to make physical secure storage solutions—such as cable locks, trigger locks, and rapid-access lockboxes—available to the community through its safety programs and community partnerships.
- Safe Handling: Offering foundational non-ballistic instruction to community members to ensure the safe management of firearms in a domestic environment.
About the Founder
HTG was established by our lead instructor, Donny, who has over 30 years experience with firearms and well in excess of 100 hours of formal training. He has worked in both the security industry and in executive protection, is a certified instructor, and has a passion for community service. Seeing a need for a training resource that was accessible and welcoming to marginalized groups and reflected progressive values and rigorous technical standards, he founded HTG as a 501(c)(3) to ensure that safety education remains a public good rather than a private privilege.
Join Us
Whether you are looking to secure your home, protect your community, or simply understand the fundamentals of safety, Haven Training Group welcomes you.
Professional Training. Inclusive Environment. Community Focused.