Recreational boating and charitable giving might not seem like they belong in the same sentence. But you’d be surprised how many places they overlap. In fact, boating- and fishing-related nonprofit organizations play several important roles. In time for Giving Tuesday, here’s a quick overview of what these nonprofits do and how your donation can help.

Boating & Fishing Non-Profits

Boating and fishing-related nonprofits do a number of different things. Some lobby to preserve boaters’ and anglers’ rights and access. Some use donations to introduce people to boating and fishing who otherwise might not have the resources or ability to get on the water. Some work to keep waterways and fisheries healthy.

There are literally hundreds — possibly thousands — of boating- and fishing-related nonprofits in the U.S. alone.

There are literally hundreds — possibly thousands — of these nonprofits in the U.S. alone, ranging from big, nationwide organizations like the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to small local organizations tightly focused on a specific issue. Tracking down and cataloging all of them would take weeks, but the following examples should at least get you started.

The Big Names

There are several large-scale, nationwide organizations promoting boating and fishing. They tend to be broadly focused, working to preserve access for boating and fishing, promote boating safety and keep waterways clean.

BoatUS Foundation

The BoatUS Foundation, which reported more than $3 million in revenue in 2021, provides free state boating safety courses and other safety education and resources, operates a large loaner life jacket program and makes grants to other organizations to help clean up waterways. 

Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation

With more than $14 million in revenue in 2022, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation — primarily through the Take Me Fishing and Vamos a Pescar campaigns — works to “increase participation in recreational boating and fishing, thereby helping to conserve and restore our country’s aquatic natural resources.” 

International Game Fish Association (IGFA)

The granddaddy of fishing organizations, the IGFA’s stated mission is “the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices, through science, education, rule making, record keeping and recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of angling.” Since 2021, the worldwide organization has officially represented recreational anglers at the United Nations level. 

The Conservationists

Clean waterways and healthy fisheries are fundamental to the enjoyment of recreational boating and fishing, and numerous nonprofits work to preserve and protect them. In addition to the IGFA (see above), hundreds of smaller organizations work to protect particular regions and even specific bodies of water and/or species of fish. Some good examples include:

Clean waterways and healthy fisheries are fundamental to the enjoyment of recreational boating and fishing, and numerous nonprofits work to preserve and protect them.

Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

CCA grew out of a grassroots effort in the late 1970s to stop commercial gill-netting of redfish and speckled trout in Texas. Since then, chapters have sprung in all but three coastal states. “We work,” says the organization’s website, “to protect not only the health, habitat, and sustainability of our marine resources, but also the interests of recreational anglers and their access to the resources they cherish.” 

The Billfish Foundation

The Billfish Foundation “works worldwide to advance the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and economies,” according to its website. The membership-based organization is best known for its tagging programs and competitions. 

Trout Unlimited

TU’s 300,000 members and supporters are “dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds” so that “our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon.” 

Captains for Clean Water

A grassroots organization founded by a pair of Florida inshore fishing guides, Captains for Clean Water works primarily to stop harmful discharges of freshwater from Florida’s Lake Okeechobee into the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico by advocating for restoration of the natural flow of water south from the lake into the Everglades. 

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust

Like the Billfish Foundation, the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is dedicated to the conservation of a few specific species. The organization, which works in Florida and other southeastern states as well as the Bahamas and the Caribbean, says its mission is “to conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education and advocacy.” 

The Sharers

Hundreds of nonprofits across the nation exist to take people boating and/or fishing who might not otherwise be able to get on the water. Most serve particular groups and most focus on the many benefits of fishing and boating.

Hundreds of nonprofits across the nation exist to take people boating and/or fishing who might not otherwise be able to get on the water. 

C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation

C.A.S.T. is a nationwide organization that “enriches the lives of children with special needs, supports their families, and strengthens communities through the sport of fishing.” 

The Ike Foundation

The Ike Foundation was founded by pro bass angler Mike Iaconelli and his wife, Becky, “to get more kids fishing and into the outdoors, especially youth in areas where those activities are not readily available.” Most programs are in the New Jersey/Delaware area. 

Project Healing Waters

Project Healing Waters is “dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of injured and disabled military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities.” Programs are available across the nations. 

Warrior Sailing

Warrior Sailing serves wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. “Sailing is an outlet to cope with the long term effects of PTSD, brain injury, amputation, paralysis and nerve damage,” says the organization, “plus it’s a really fun way for our warrior sailors to express their most natural abilities: teamwork and competitive drive.” 

Casting for Recovery

Casting for Recovery provides fly fishing retreats across the country for women with breast cancer of all ages and in all stages of recovery. The retreats “offer opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life and experience healing connections with other women and nature.” 

Freedom Waters Foundation

Freedom Waters Foundation provides boating outings and adaptive sailing for children and adults with life threatening illnesses, children and adults with disabilities, veterans and active military, and at-risk youth. Most activities are in southern Florida, with annual events at Georgia’s Lake Lanier and Indiana’s Lake Monroe. 

Wake the World

Wake the World’s purpose is providing watersports opportunities to abandoned, abused and neglected children, as well as for the handicapped and our wounded warriors. Events are held across the country. 

The Agency Auxiliaries

A number of state game and fish regulatory agencies have associated nonprofits that accept private donations to advance the agency's mission. For example, the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida describes itself as “the citizen-support organization of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)” and says it works “with a variety of other public and private organizations to achieve our science-based conservation, research, education, and outdoor recreation goals.” To learn about donating to support the work of your state’s wildlife, game and fish or natural resources agency, visit its website and look for a “Donate” or “Support” button.

Likewise, the Coast Guard Foundation works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to “to provide resources to members and families that build resilience and strengthen the entire community.” That includes making investments that “support families, bolster unit morale, honor the Coast Guard’s mission at the national level, and more.”

The Lobbies

Although most organizations here are at least somewhat involved in political advocacy to achieve their missions, several high-profile nonprofits put a primary emphasis on lobbying state and federal legislatures on behalf of recreational boaters and anglers and the recreational boating and fishing industry.

Several high-profile nonprofits put a primary emphasis on lobbying state and federal legislatures on behalf of recreational boaters and anglers and the recreational boating and fishing industry.

Boating United/BoatPAC

The political action committee of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, BoatPAC “supports the election of candidates to the United States Congress who are strong advocates for recreational boating.” Boating United lobbies at the federal level for boating access. 

American Sportfishing Association (ASA)

The ASA, a membership organization for the sportfishing industry, has been around for close to a century and advocates for “the health, growth and expansion of the recreational fishing industry.” Membership is only for businesses, but individuals can contribute to SportfishingPAC, ASA’s political action committee. 

Center for Sportfishing Policy

The Center for Sportfishing Policy says its mission is “to maximize opportunity for saltwater recreational anglers by organizing, focusing and engaging recreational fishing stakeholders to speak with one voice to shape federal marine fisheries management policy.” Individual and organization memberships support CSP’s work. 

What to Give Besides Dollars

Giving isn’t just about money. In fact, for many of these organizations, your time and/or expertise might be even more valuable than your dollars. As an added benefit, you’ll likely get more satisfaction out of volunteering than you would entering your credit card information.

Here are some possibilities to explore:

For many of these organizations, your time and/or expertise might be even more valuable than your dollars.

  • Organizations that take people boating or fishing (“The Sharers” above) always need volunteers to help at events. That might involve teaching people about boating and fishing, taking people out on your boat or helping plan and administer an event.
  • These same organizations also often need equipment. Consider donating old lifejackets, fishing tackle or even boats instead of discarding or selling them. 
  • Conservation organizations often hold cleanups, where volunteers pick up refuse around waterways. Others might need volunteers for different kinds of environmental work — planting mangroves, for example, or removing invasive plants or animals.
  • If you own a business, think about donating products or services to help— prizes for a fundraising raffle, for example, or for a kids’ fishing tournament.Vinyl flooring: Carpet makes a terrible deck covering for saltwater boats. It not only holds salt and minerals but it also stinks after a saltwater soaking. Today’s woven vinyl flooring, a common feature on saltwater pontoons, is easy to clean and doesn’t absorb water.

Again, there are thousands of nonprofits and charitable organizations related to boating, fishing and watersports — many more than we can list here. But here are a few more of them: