Charitable Programs We Support
Over $550,000 funded since 2009
Members and Sponsors ensure the well-being of future generations through HBGFC’s Charitable Programs. By supporting local, reputable organizations, the Club provides a social setting to share the passion of big game fishing, advocates for the sport and billfish conservation, and helps further the education goals of students.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The program provides financial aid to qualified students who plan to attend a Texas University or College. The Board of Directors and Scholarship Committee award scholarships in annual amounts up to $5,000 for the payment of tuition, campus housing or other university or college expenses. With the support of its Members and Corporate Sponsors, The Houston Big Game Fishing Club is proud to have funded over $400,000 in college scholarships since 2009.
FUN FISHING DAY
The Club hosts the children and families of the Ronald McDonald House and Shriners Children’s Hospital of Galveston for a morning of fishing with Club volunteers who help bait hooks, reel in fish and keep track of winning catches. Everyone is treated to a delicious lunch and end the day with trophies and pictures!
THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION
Working worldwide to advance the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and economies, TBF is making sure that fish stay in the water to help ensure continued fishing opportunities and a thriving marine industry!
Turning Point - Gulf Coast Drum Tournament
Turning POINT (Paraplegics On Independent Nature Trips) was founded in 1979 by Michael “Shorty” Powers. After an injury at age 17 left Shorty without the use of his legs, he began looking for opportunities to become involved in the outdoor recreational activities that he had always loved. He found no organized activities that were available to people who had major mobility impairments. Not willing to give up his love of fishing, kayaking, scuba diving and hunting. Shorty established Turning POINT to assure that outdoor activities were readily available to people with many types of physical challenges. Turning POINT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to teach people with mobility impairments the skills necessary to fully enjoy the outdoors, and to provide free or low cost activities. Turning POINT provides the encouragement and support needed for people who have major physical challenges in life to fully participate in the adventure of living.
FREEPORT TO PORT O’CONNOR TOY RUN
Members love being Santa’s elves each year for this event! Collection sites are set up for new, unwrapped toys for children ages 2-16 and everything is donated to the Adopt-An-Angel program in Port O’Connor and delivered to at-risk boys and girls in 11 counties throughout the Texas coast.
PESCADORA BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
The Pescadora Billfish Championship is a unique tournament. Not only is this billfishing event specifically for women, but brings experienced and non-experienced female anglers together to compete for the title of the World’s Top Lady Anglers! This event was designed to not just be a tournament. The goal is to encourage women to step out of their comfort zone through competition. Whether than means catching their first billfish, hooking their own fish, holding a rod all day to make them that much faster to the drop back, learning to fish with a different type of tackle that they aren’t familiar with, or learning how to catch and release a billfish in stand-up gear…. they are all pieces to the puzzle that can help women be successful no matter where in the world they fish.
Texas A & M at Galveston - Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species
The Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species (GRiHMS) will perform studies that fill critical data gaps in the habitat requirements, life history, and dispersive behaviors of highly migratory species in the Gulf of Mexico. Research activities will center on elucidating migration pathways and drivers of movement for coastal (cobia, dolphinfish, tarpon) and offshore (billfishes, tunas, sharks, wahoo) migratory fishes. Research conducted and facilitated by the Institute will provide data to support healthy and sustainable fisheries in the Gulf, which contribute $11 billion annually to the region’s blue economy.
COASTAL BRIGADE YOUTH CAMP
Texas Brigades is an organization with a mission to educate and empower adolescents with leadership skills and knowledge in wildlife, fisheries, and land stewardship to become conservation ambassadors for a sustained natural resource legacy. Texas Brigades provides a combination of educational programs, including its popular 5-day summer camps, its advanced Wildlife Intensive Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) program and single-day programs, Texas Brigades Experiences.
