Big Rock Foundation Inc
Big Rock Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Morehead City, North Carolina. The foundation was established by the Crystal Coast Tournament, Inc., which operates as the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, to raise and distribute charitable funds.
Big Rock Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Big Rock Foundation Inc gave $160K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in North Carolina. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $159,500
- +3.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,292
- +3.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $5,601,466
- +0.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Big Rock Foundation Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 710 Evans St, Morehead City, NC 28557-4222
Phone: (252) 247-3575
Website: https://bigrockfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Big Rock Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina ($35K). Together the top 10 received $145K.
Grant Size Distribution
63 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 61 grants of 63 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in North Carolina. The foundation’s website describes its support as benefiting charities and worthy organizations throughout Eastern North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Big Rock Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $8K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2022) to $487K (2021). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $160K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina Winterville, NC | To Provide Funding for a Gym Floor Refurbishment | $35,000 |
| Carteret Health Care Foundation Morehead City, NC | To provide funding to aid in the purchase of a mobile dental clinic (VAN) | $25,000 |
| Carteret Community Theatre Inc Morehead City, NC | To Provide Funds Ongoing Support for Production Needs | $20,000 |
| NC Symphony Carteret County Raleigh, NC | Provide funding to enable the local theater to provide virtual concerts to Carteret county elementary schools. | $17,000 |
| NC Agriculture Foundation Inc Raleigh, NC | Provide funding to the nc state foundation so it can provide research students during the week of the big rock tournament for their housing and related expenses. | $10,000 |
| Broad Street Clinic Morehead City, NC | To provide funding to the local clinic to allow them to provide medical service for those who need them in the local community. | $7,500 |
| Crystal Coast Hospice House Newport, NC | To provide funds for every day operations which allows them to provide a warm and supportive environment for terminally ill hospice patients who desire inpatient care. | $7,500 |
| Easter Seals UCP (The Station Club Enterprises) Raleigh, NC | To provide funding for the local organization to enable them to continue to provide services for individual with developmental disabilities and multiple medical needs. | $7,500 |
| Eastern Carolina Council BSA Kinston, NC | To provide funding to the bsa eastern council for use to develop youth into responsible citizens. | $7,500 |
| History Museum of Carteret County (The History Place) Morehead City, NC | To provide funding to enable the organization to have a historical video produced, preserve the local heritage & educate. | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,601,466 | $418,296 | $321,536 | $159,500 | 12 | $137,123 |
| 2023 | $5,594,887 | $1,522,401 | $284,275 | $153,500 | 12 | $107,837 |
| 2022 | $4,292,311 | $2,403,434 | $202,841 | $79,500 | 9 | $76,366 |
| 2021 | $2,065,987 | $154,426 | $544,961 | $487,000 | 20 | $56,755 |
| 2020 | $2,456,522 | $381,844 | $110,416 | $83,000 | 10 | $35,354 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated primary exempt purpose is to raise funds for charities and community projects that promote conservation among sport fishermen and preserve maritime culture and heritage while promoting marine education.
Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in areas including youth development, healthcare, arts and culture, history, and community services. For example, Carteret Community Theatre describes its purpose as the cultural betterment of Carteret County residents through dramatic productions. Crystal Coast Hospice House says it was established to benefit hospice services through a hospice house.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $159,500. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $35,000, with a median of $7,500.
The largest reported grants included $35,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina for a gym floor refurbishment; $25,000 to Carteret Health Care Foundation for a mobile dental clinic; $20,000 to Carteret Community Theatre for production needs; and $17,000 to NC Symphony Carteret County to enable virtual concerts for Carteret County elementary schools. Other recipients included NC Agriculture Foundation, Broad Street Clinic, Crystal Coast Hospice House, Easter Seals UCP, Eastern Carolina Council BSA, History Museum of Carteret County, Hope Mission, and Martha’s Mission.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these directors: Dale Britt, Richard Crowe, Randy Ramsey, Casey Wagner, Jim Bailey, Howard Basnight, Dew Forbes, Jack Jordan, Billy Kornegay, and Curtis Strange.
The foundation’s website also lists Tommy Bennett as president, Joy Bell as vice president, Mike Thompson as treasurer, and Caroline Petrilli as secretary.
Big Rock Foundation Inc is led by Tommy Bennett, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 17 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tommy Bennett
President
Secretary → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billy Kornegay
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Casey Wagner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Curtis Strange
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale Britt
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dew Forbes
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emery Ivey
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Howard Basnight
Director
Vice President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Jordan
Director
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Bailey
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Les Collins
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randy Ramsey
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Crowe
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger Crowe
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Petrilli
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joy Bell
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Thompson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Carol Lohr (2020–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Big Rock Foundation Inc
How much does Big Rock Foundation Inc give each year?
Big Rock Foundation Inc gave $160K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $154K across 12 grants.
What is Big Rock Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Big Rock Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $13,292, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Big Rock Foundation Inc that year got $20K on average.
Where does Big Rock Foundation Inc give grants?
Big Rock Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Morehead City, NC (6 grants) and Raleigh, NC (3 grants).
Does Big Rock Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Big Rock Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Big Rock Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Big Rock Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina ($35,000), Carteret Health Care Foundation ($25,000) and Carteret Community Theatre Inc ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Big Rock Foundation Inc?
Big Rock Foundation Inc reported $5.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $418K.
What does Big Rock Foundation Inc fund?
The organization’s stated primary exempt purpose is to raise funds for charities and community projects that promote conservation among sport fishermen and preserve maritime culture and heritage while promoting marine education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Big Rock Foundation Inc?
Big Rock Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check bigrockfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Big Rock Foundation Inc's EIN?
Big Rock Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2189146. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Big Rock Foundation Inc funds
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Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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The North Carolina Community Foundation supports charitable organizations and community programs in areas such as human services, education, youth development, health, food and nutrition, and the arts. Its typical grant was $15,000 in 2025; it serves communities statewide, with an emphasis on rural North Carolina, and accepts applications through specific affiliate, giving-circle, and other grant programs.
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Crystal Coast Tournament Inc
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Crystal Coast Tournament Inc funds charitable organizations and community projects, including arts and culture, education, recreation, conservation, maritime heritage, and marine education, with projects required to benefit Carteret County and Eastern North Carolina. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,150 to $250,000, with a median of $22,500. It accepts unsolicited requests from eligible organizations.
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The Farrington Foundation supports preselected charitable organizations, with recent grants spanning public media, health, community arts, and public policy; its 2026 grants went mainly to organizations in North Carolina, the District of Columbia, New York, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Taylor Foundation
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The Taylor Foundation supports religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes, especially community charities, hospitals, religious organizations, and schools in Palm Beach County, Southeast Virginia, and Carteret County, North Carolina. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $15,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts applications by letter; the stated deadline is December 1.
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More similar funders
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Big Rock Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/big-rock-foundation-inc-morg_93fc1b26ec124528afe59b5ac1baf765
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_562189146_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Big Rock Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/big-rock-foundation-inc-morg_93fc1b26ec124528afe59b5ac1baf765},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Big Rock Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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