From AFFTA:
In late December 2014 the American Fly Fishing Trade Association formally formed the AFFTA Fisheries Fund, a funding group dedicated to supporting organizations and projects focused on fisheries conservation and education. The Fisheries Fund was initially funded with revenue dollars from the International Fly Tackle Dealer trade show, which is the annual fly fishing trade show AFFTA organizes and facilitates.
The Fisheries Fund, formally the AFFTA Grant Committee, is now its own entity with its own board of directors. The AFFTA Executive Committee oversees final granting decisions for the Fisheries Fund. The Fisheries Fund recently filed for 501(c)3 status with the IRS.
The Fisheries Fund board of directors includes Tucker Ladd of Trout’s Flyfishing, Jim Klug of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, Ben Kurtz of Fishpond, Dustin Carlson of Fishwest, David S. Heller formerly of Ross Reels, and Ben Bulis President of AFFTA. Ladd remarked, “We are eager to have the Fisheries Fund underway, and we have already received many worthy grant applications. We are extremely keen to directly support work being done on behalf of fisheries conservation and education issues.”
The Fisheries Fund grant application can be accessed off the AFFTA website at: www.affta.org. The Fisheries Fund board will be convening regularly throughout the year to evaluate and gift selected applications. After receiving non-profit status approval, the Fisheries Fund will soon be open to direct, tax-deductable donations from AFFTA members and the general public, and these dollars will go directly to organizations and projects that impact fisheries and grow new anglers.
“The Fisheries Fund is a long-term goal of the AFFTA board that we are delighted to bring to fruition. This is an opportunity for anyone whose vocation or avocation includes fishing to support and foster the sport and industry they hold dear,” stated Fisheries Fund board member Jim Klug.
The Fisheries Fund board will be announcing the first grant recipients in the coming days. For more information please visit: www.affta.org.
AFFTA advocates for and promotes the sustained growth of the fly fishing industry. By igniting consumer demand for products and services, providing businesses the tools to be successful, and advocating for access, protection and restoration of fishing waters, we will continue to enhance the passion and profitability of the sport of fly fishing.
