Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - March 2023

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation We have partnered with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and the North Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation to improve bass habitat. AFTCO recently sent its first of four annual $25,000 checks to the NCWRC which will be used toward developing an aquatic plant propagation greenhouse. This new facility will help produce the specific types of vegetation needed to improve bass habitat in North Carolina waters and will potentially increase the NCWRC’s vegetation production by 400-500%.

How Does AFTCO Determine 10% Pledge Partners & Projects?

The basic buckets for our 10% support fall into these categories: fishing conservation advocacy, saltwater habitat, freshwater habitat, fish hatcheries, protecting public fishing access, youth fishing engagement and education, clean water, scientific research, and fish tagging. Some of AFTCO’s donations are project-based, and some go to support the overall mission of our partners.

How Are Donations Accounted For?

Our 10% Pledge model dictates that the more successful our business is in a year, the larger our contribution. AFTCO’s annual donation goal is equivalent to at least 10% of total company profits as represented on company financial statements. In 2022, the Peggie Shedd Marine Trust made a $50,000 donation on behalf of the Shedd family who own AFTCO.

The Value of Donated Product and Time Is Not Included in This Total

AFTCO often provides support through the donation of product and time. In 2022, we estimate that we contributed approximately $400,000 in product to support our partners, disaster relief, and charities. Additionally, AFTCO staff donates a considerable amount of both personal and employee time towards conservation and sustainability efforts, including volunteering at fish hatcheries, CCA events, and cleanup events. AFTCO Chairman Bill Shedd has spent over 400 hours a year on conservation and fishing access issues for 40+ years.