THE BIG ROCK FOUNDATION
The Big Rock Foundation is the charitable arm of all three tournaments- Big Rock, Keli Wagner Lady Angler and Big Rock Kids. The Foundation’s mission, fueled by the passion of its donors, tournament participants, sponsors, and retail customers, has a profound impact on the community. The funds generated from these sources are carefully distributed among a diverse group of charities, each one playing a crucial role in areas such as education, healthcare, community improvement, and conservation.
WAYS TO GIVE
Explore ways to support the Big Rock Foundation
Make an online contribution today to help further the reach of Big Rock Foundation and its tournaments. You can make a one-time donation or opt to create a recurring monthly donation to help support Big Rock Foundation and its many charities. Each year, Big Rock Foundation donates over one million dollars to charities and worthy organizations throughout the state.
Make an online donation, today. Visit here.
Mail contributions to: Big Rock Foundation, 710 Evans Street, Morehead City, NC. 28557.
Each year, Big Rock Foundation donates over one million dollars to charities and worthy organizations throughout the state.
Honor your loved one and carry on their legacy by choosing the Big Rock Foundation for memorial contributions. Each year, Big Rock Foundation donates over one million dollars to charities and worthy organizations throughout the state. Your memorial contribution will enhance the Foundation’s efforts and extend its positive impact even further.
Shop Big Rock & help support local organizations. Proceeds from every purchase benefit Big Rock charities.
We’re OPEN all year! Shop online thebigrockstore.com or visit us in-store, year-round. We’re located at 710 Evans Street in Downtown Morehead City.
Support our mission by becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship plays a crucial role in providing the resources needed to ensure our tournament’s success. Your contribution is a meaningful way to give and drive positive change in this community.
To learn more about how your organization can make a difference through sponsorship, contact Madison Struyk (252) 725-1568, madison@thebigrock.com
MISSION STATEMENT
1. To promote sportfishing throughout Carteret County and the state of North Carolina.
2. To promote Conservation among Sportfishermen.
3. To raise money for Charities and Worthy Community Projects.
4. To preserve Maritime Culture and Heritage.
5. To promote Marine Education
CORE CHARITIES
CORE CHARITIES
Boy Scouts – East Carolina Council
Broad Street Clinic
The History Place
Hope Mission Soup Kitchen
Martha’s Mission Food Cupboard
BIG ROCK KIDS Boys and Girls Club
NC State University Research
NC Symphony
The Station Club
Crystal Coast Hospice House
KWLA Carteret Health Care Cancer Center
2025 RECIPENTS
2025 CHARITY RECIPIENTS
Atlantic Elementary School: $27,000
Autism Society of NC: $10,000
Beaufort Middle School Band: $20,000
Beaufort Police Department: $18,500
Boys and Girls Club Coastal Plain: $150,000
BridgeKids Preschool: $50,000
Bridges Alternative School: $116,000
Cape Lookout Foundation: $50,000
Carteret Community College Foundation: $100,000
Carteret County Children’s Advocacy Center: $7,500
Carteret County Partnership for Children: $8,200
Carteret County Sheriff’s Office: $76,000
Carteret Humane Society: $50,000
Croatan Performing Ensembles: $20,000
Crystal Coast Cancer Rehabilitation Center: $13,000
East Carteret High School: $80,000
Educational Passages: $15,000
Harkers Island Elementary: $63,000
Hope Is Alive: $50,000
IGFA Tags: $25,000
Liberty Lacrosse Carteret: $1,300
Military Appreciation Day: $10,000
Morehead City Police Department: $65,000
Morehead Elementary School: $60,000
Newport Elementary School: $115,000
Newport Middle School: $23,000
North Carolina Aquarium Society: $50,000
Scouting America – East Carolina Council: $50,000
Tag A Giant: $25,000
Theatre for All, Inc.: $13,000
Tiller School of Carteret County: $42,000
Town of Atlantic Beach: $100,000
Town of Cape Carteret: $10,000
Voices Together: $40,000
West Carteret Athletics: $35,000
West Carteret High School: $14,000
West Carteret High School Band: $20,000
White Oak Elementary School: $58,000
Big Rock is honored to announce a record-breaking $2,000,000 in charitable giving for 2025, a milestone made possible by the unwavering support of the Big Rock community. This year’s funds will be distributed among a diverse group of charities that play crucial roles in education, healthcare, community improvement, and conservation. Big Rock remains dedicated to its mission of “charity first” by supporting 10 core charities annually and thoughtfully considering applications for larger grant requests. Big Rock’s charitable impact now reaches $13,962,948 contributed to organizations since 1986.
A significant portion of this year’s giving will support students and educators across Carteret County, with $666,000 allocated to 14 of the county’s 19 public schools. These contributions will help create and enhance outdoor learning centers, upgrade athletic facilities, purchase new musical instruments, improve library collections, and support a wide range of academic and enrichment needs identified by principals throughout the district.
Major contributions this year also include $150,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plains to support construction of their new Beaufort facility, a space that will provide mentorship, safety, guidance, and opportunities for the next generation. Big Rock will also award $100,000 to the Town of Atlantic Beach for the construction of the new Big Rock Take A Kid Fishing Pier — a 200-foot pier with a 20-by-20 platform located at the base of the Atlantic Beach bridge. This project will create a welcoming, accessible fishing spot for families, children, and visitors for years to come.
The Big Rock extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who makes this vision a reality, proving once again that the mission of “charity first” is more than a motto — it’s a legacy. Click here to read the 2025 Giving Tuesday – Charity Contribution Press Release
APPLICATION DEADLINE AUGUST 3, 2026
The application period for 2026 Big Rock Grant Requests is OPEN.
2026 CHARITY APPLICATION
2026 CHARITY APPLICATION
CONTACT
Madison Struyk, Executive Director
(252) 725-1568, madison@thebigrock.com