Charities
Since 1989 and the Inaugural Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Tournament, the Pirate’s Cove Tournaments team has taken their charitable donations seriously. The events have been the mainstay of many charitable foundations over the years and reached a milestone of donating over $100,000 in one year during the 2003 season.
Today the tournaments boast total donations of well over $1 Million. Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament, Inc. is a North Carolina 501(c)(4) non profit with our 501(c)(3) designation attached to the Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament Charity Fund.
We are anticipating a banner year of donations and are proud to announce that through sponsor support, a first-class raffle and reduced management fees we will maximise the return on your entry and continue to provide much needed support to our foundations.
Following is a description of our favorite charities and the groups we have donated to in the past. Please keep in mind that Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament, Inc is always open to suggestions for chaitable giving wherever you might see a need.
Interfaith Community Organization
The Outer Banks Cancer Support Group was founded in 1989 by the late Alice Kelly. When Alice was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease she found her treatments unavailable on the Outer Banks. This was the case up until the mid-2000’s. Patients in need of chemo and radiation were driven by volunteers and it was the goal of Alice’s Cancer Support Group to reimburse gas as well as provide a fellowship of cancer fighters and survivors.
Alice did not live to see the group incorporated but I am sure she is watching and is in awe of the steps toward outreach that the Outer Banks Cancer Support Group has taken.
In November of 2000, the group reached a milestone and began a long anticipated program of providing its members and local cancer survivors with temporary financial assistance. In 2014 the ICO absorbed the Outer Bank Cancer Support Group and resurrected their management and giving. Today, through the ICO Cancer Program, financial assistance is available to those who have a true need and are approved. The ICO supports over 200 local families each year. The funds raised by the Alice Kelly Tournament enable the group to assist patients financially by addressing their needs where insurance falls short. We are very proud of the legacy the Alice Kelly Tournament has provided over more than 30 years.
The Billfish Foundation
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations around the world.
A three tiered strategy of research, education and advocacy is employed by TBF in order to create marine conservation strategies that benefit oceanic resources while also empowering the recreational fishing community.
Operating a competitive sportfishing event right in the middle of a commercial fishing village offers Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament, Inc. a unique perspective on conservation. The Billfish Foundation walks the line based on science when it comes to studying highly migratory species; we like that.
The NC Billfish Series
The NC Billfish Series looks forward to the 41th Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament where Series’ boats will be looking for big catches to gain valuable points in the last tournament of the year. The mission of the NC Billfish Series is to promote North Carolina’s bill- fish tournaments, sportsmanship, marine conservation and competition in our world renown offshore fishery. Competing boats are awarded points for billfish released or landed in NC Billfish Series tournaments with trophies for the overall winner, top private and charter boat for the best three out of seven tournaments. Trophies will be awarded for the largest blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Awards are given to the boat with most total points (total points awarded for all tournaments) and individual awards will be given for outstanding junior boy, junior girl and lady angler. Please follow the fishing action through our NC Billfish Series website and social media posts! Good Fishing and Tight Lines!!!
2025 NC Billfish Series Tournaments
Hatteras Village Offshore Open
May 13-17
Swansboro Rotary Memorial Day Blue Water Fishing Tournament
May 22-25
Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament
May 28– May 31
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament
June 7-14
Big Rock Kids Tournament
July 9-12
Ducks Unlimited Billfish Tournament
July 16-19
Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament
August 11-15
American Diabetes Association NC Chapter
In honor of a dear angler and friend – and frankly many of our anglers and friends – PCBT hosts a LayDay Tournament each year. Teams that want to fish competitively on their layday can enter for $1000, follow our tournament rules (release points only) and split the pot WTA with the ADA! Petty cool stuff!
Our Recent Charitable Donation Recipients
- Get Pinked Development
- Cross Trail Outfitters
- Outer Banks Community Foundation
- Dare County Hospice
- Lions Club of Manteo, NC
- Outer Banks Relief Foundation
- Dare County Substance Abuse Task Force
- Outer Banks Select Wrestling
- Surfing for Autism
- Dare County Friends of Youth
- Dare County Special Olympics
- Lucy Gaddy Scholarship
- Room at the Inn
- OBX Select Wrestling Program
- Ruthies Kitchen
- Dare County Food Bank
- Dare County Community Clinic
- Dare County Seniors Program
- GEM Adult Services
- Meals on Wheels
- Sheep Dog Veterans Impact Assistance
- Hatteras Island Youth Program
- After Prom Program
- Dare County Boat Builders Foundation
- NC Watermans United
- OBX Go Far
- OBX Lively Arts
- Dare Education Foundation
- Manteo Middle School
- OBX Repeater Association