The Outer Banks Community Foundation has announced establishment of the Outer Banks Seafood Festival Endowment by the Board of Directors of the annual event.
The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is a nonprofit organization that promotes the positive impacts of our local seafood industry, educates people about seafood indigenous to North Carolina and the Outer Banks, and provides need-based support to the local fishing community and its members through festival proceeds.
The endowed, designated fund will be maintained to support the Seafood Festival and its philanthropy. As with all endowed funds held at the Community Foundation, it is structured to be a permanent resource for generations to come.
“The maritime industry is a cornerstone and key economic driver of our Outer Banks,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Chris Sawin.
“This is the first fund established at the Community Foundation to specifically support the hard-working members of this industry, and we couldn’t be more grateful to The Outer Banks Seafood Festival for their generous efforts,” Swain said.
“The Outer Banks Seafood Festival was founded in 2012 as a way to celebrate, promote, and support our local commercial fishing industry,” said Richard Hess, Chairman of the Seafood Festival Board.
“Commercial fishing is a big part of our community’s cultural heritage, and it is vitally important to the Outer Banks,” Hess said. “Our board is inspired to continue this annual event and steward event proceeds for the benefit of our working watermen and women and their families.”
Since 2012, the Festival has generated nearly $70,000 in grants and financial support for local maritime industry members in need. The 2022 Festival date is Saturday, October 15; event information is available at https://www.outerbanksseafoodfestival.org.
Contributions to the new Seafood Festival Endowment can be made online at www.obcf.org/donate or by sending a check to OBCF, 13 Skyline Road, Southern Shores, NC 27949.