The Big Rock Foundation is the charitable arm of the Big Rock tournaments and strives to raise funds to benefit organizations that excel in community enrichment and enhance quality of life in Carteret County and Eastern North Carolina.
Crystal Coast Tournament Inc. has made a large grant to its own related foundation to support child-related activities, a pattern that sits alongside a broad local portfolio across Carteret County and Eastern North Carolina. The biggest award in the recent list was $2,015,668 in 2023 to Big Rock Foundation Inc in Morehead City, followed by $1,200,000 in 2024 to the same recipient for the same purpose. That scale is unusual for a county-centered funder and shows how much of the organization’s charitable activity moves through a closely tied local institution. Beyond that relationship, the foundation funds schools, youth programs, community organizations, health-related projects, conservation, and public facilities. Recent support includes $500,000 to Carteret Health Care Foundation for facility expansion and cancer facility upgrades, $250,000 to Carteret Community Theatre for ongoing production needs, and $250,000 to Carteret County Public School Foundation for the teacher housing fund. The grant list also shows steady support for field upgrades, playgrounds, band programs, and emergency or safety equipment, suggesting a practical, project-based approach to community improvement rather than a narrow program portfolio.
Education appears repeatedly in the grant list, but often through tangible school projects rather than unrestricted support. In 2025, the foundation gave $250,000 to Carteret County Public School Foundation for the teacher housing fund, and $115,000 to Smyrna Elementary and Down East Middle to improve sports fields. Other school-linked awards funded bleacher seating at Broadcreek Middle School and a quarter-mile track at Bogue Sound Elementary School. Community and recreation projects are also prominent. The foundation awarded $83,000 to Town of Atlantic Beach for guardrails, picnic tables, a bike rack, and a sidewalk, and $78,000 to Bogue Sound Elementary School for playground equipment, including handicap accessible equipment. In the arts, it provided $250,000 to Carteret Community Theatre for ongoing production needs. Health and emergency-related grants include $500,000 to Carteret Health Care Foundation and $69,000 to West Carteret Fire and EMS for a water rescue vessel.
Typical awards cluster around a middle range: the 25th percentile is $15,000, the median is $30,000, and the 75th percentile is $51,000. The recent list also shows several much larger project grants, so the foundation uses a mix of mid-sized awards and occasional major capital support. The grant record spans multiple years, with recipients such as Big Rock Foundation Inc, Carteret Community Theatre, Carteret County Schools-Beaufort Middle School, The Bridge Downeast, and Morehead City Little League appearing more than once. That suggests recurring relationships rather than isolated one-off awards. The organization also operates annual charity application programs and donation request forms, indicating an open solicitation channel alongside program-specific giving.
$2.3M
$3.6M
$11.9M
$11.4M
Most grants fall between $15K and $51K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$51K
MIKE THOMPSON
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Giving is highly concentrated in North Carolina, with 95% of grants to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Morehead City appears often, including grants to Big Rock Foundation Inc, Carteret Community Theatre, and the Core Sound Museum. Beaufort, Newport, Harkers Island, Atlantic Beach, and Cedar Point also recur in the recent grant list. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 77 grants in the United States and no international grants in the data.
The grant list shows support for education, community improvement, conservation, and youth programs, with projects such as teacher housing, playgrounds, sports fields, band equipment, a water rescue vessel, a video wall, and facility upgrades for community organizations.
No. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Big Rock Foundation Inc, Carteret Community Theatre, Carteret County Schools-Beaufort Middle School, The Bridge Downeast, and Morehead City Little League, which points to recurring relationships as well as project-specific grants.
The grant size distribution is centered at $15,000 for the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $51,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes larger awards for major capital and program needs.
Its giving is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in North Carolina. The data shows 95% of grants to recipients in NC, with Morehead City, Beaufort, Newport, Harkers Island, Atlantic Beach, and Cedar Point among the recipient locations.
The foundation uses annual charity application programs and donation request forms. The active programs include a 2026 Charity Application with an upload link for charity submissions, plus separate donation request options for merchandise, participant donations, and prize requests.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG ROCK FOUNDATION INC | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $525,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO FOUNDATION |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE | WINTERVILLE, NC | $150,000 | 2026 | CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITY IN BEAUFORT NC - BUILDING BETTER FUTURES, |
| BRIDGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $116,000 | 2026 | CONSTRUCTION OF A ROOF STRUCTURE OVER EXISTING BASKETBALL COURT |
| NEWPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NEWPORT, NC | $115,000 | 2026 | DEVELOPMENT OF NEW & INCLUSIVE PLAY STRUCTURE, SPECIFICALLY ON THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND |
| CARTERET COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $100,000 | 2026 | NEW WORKFORCE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION & TRANSPORTATION TRADES ($11M PROJECT TOTAL, $9.8M FUNDING RECEIVED) |
| TOWN OF ATLANTIC BEACH | ATLANTIC BEACH, NC | $100,000 | 2026 | 200 FT FISHING PIER & PLATFORM AT THE BRIDGE ABUTMENT SITE ON THE AB CAUSEWAY |
| EAST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL | BEAUFORT, NC | $88,000 | 2026 | MODERNIZE STAGE LIGHTING SYSTEM IN AUDITORUM |
| CARTERET COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE | BEAUFORT, NC | $76,000 | 2026 | 24' CAROLINA SKIMMER SKIFF BOAT |
| MOREHEAD CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $65,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE OF (54) MODULAR VEHICLE BARRICADE UNITS + TRAILER STORAGE |
| CAPE LOOKOUT FOUNDATION | FRANKLINTON, NC | $65,000 | 2026 | CAPE LOOKOUT COAST GUARD STATION RESTORATION |
| HARKERS ISLAND ELEMENTARY | HARKERS ISLAND, NC | $63,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE & INSTALLATION OF NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT (AND REMOVAL OF CURRENT) ADA |
| MOREHEAD CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $60,000 | 2026 | OUTDOOR CLASSROOM & LEARNING CENTER PROJECT |
| WHITE OAK ELEMENTARY | CAPE CARTERET, NC | $58,000 | 2026 | MEDIA CENTER UPGRADES, STEM LAB ENHANCEMENTS, WINDOW FILM INSTALLATION (CAFETERIA+FRONT ENTRANCE) |
| HOPE IS ALIVE MINISTRIES | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $55,000 | 2026 | RELOCATE OTWAY HOME TO MHC (135 VASHTI DRIVE) |
| EAST CAROLINA COUNCIL BSA | KINSTON, NC | $50,000 | 2026 | CONSTRUCTION OF NEW MODERN BOATHOUSE AT CAMP BODDIE |
| NORTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM SOCIETY | RALEIGH, NC | $50,000 | 2026 | TIDAL WATERS EXHIBIT, TOUCH TANK |
| CARTERET HUMANE SOCIETY | ATLANTIC BEACH, NC | $50,000 | 2026 | REPLACE AC UNIT ($20K) + PURCHASE/RENT 12' X 56' TEMP OFFICE TRAILER ($35K) |
| BRIDGEKIDS PRESCHOOL | BEAUFORT, NC | $50,000 | 2026 | EXPANSION: FLOORING IN CLASSROOMS + GYM, CABINETS/CUBBIES, PLAYGROUND (SHADE + SWINGS) |
| TILLER SCHOOL OF CARTERET COUNTY | BEAUFORT, NC | $42,000 | 2026 | RENOVATE P.E. / RECESS FIELD |
| VOICES TOGETHER | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $40,000 | 2026 | EXPAND VOICES MUSIC THERAPY IN CC SCHOOLS FROM 2 TO 5 CLASSROOMS, FOR AUTISTIC STUDENTS IN CC |
| WEST CARTERET ATHLETICS | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $35,000 | 2026 | TENNIS COURT RESURFACING ($35K) + NEW DIGITAL SCOREBOARD ($75K) |
| ATLANTIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ATLANTIC, NC | $27,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE OF NEW LIBRARY & MARKERSPACE FURTNITURE |
| TAG A GIANT-OCEAN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY TAGGING CAMPAIGN, WILL MATCH 1:1 |
| NEWPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL | NEWPORT, NC | $23,000 | 2026 | UPDATES TO ATHLETICS- COMMERICAL WASHER/DRYER, NEW WRESTLING/CHEER MATS, REPLACE WRESTLING SCALE, STORAGE SHED, GATOR |
| WEST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL BAND | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $20,000 | 2026 | 4 TUBAS, 2 SAXOPHONES, 2 BASS CLARIENTS, 2 PERCUSSION, 2 BASSOONS, 1 OBOE, NEW DRUMLINE |
| CROATAN PERFORMING ENSEMBLES | NEWPORT, NC | $20,000 | 2026 | NEW INSTRUMENTS (8) TOTAL |
| BEAUFORT MIDDLE SCHOOL | BEAUFORT, NC | $20,000 | 2026 | BMS ATHLETICS: UPDATED GYM W/ NEW FLOORING, REPLACE BLEACHERS + ASSIST IN FIELD MAINTENANCE, VIEWING EXPERIENCE FOR SPECTATORS |
| BEAUFORT POLICE DEPARTMENT | BEAUFORT, NC | $18,500 | 2026 | BICYCLE PATROL UNIT (5 BIKES @ $1,299 EACH) |
| EDUCATIONAL PASSAGES | BEAUFORT, NC | $15,000 | 2026 | INCREASE MINI BOAT PROGRAM, NEWPORT MIDDLE (BEAUFORT MIDDLE LAST YEAR) |
| WEST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $14,000 | 2026 | UPDATE STUDENT MEDIA STUDIO & PODCAST ROOM W/ ESSENTIAL TECHNOLOGY + SETUP IMPROVEMENTS |
| ST EGBERT'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $14,000 | 2026 | 2025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION |
| CRYSTAL COAST CANCER REHABILITATION | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $13,000 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT: 2 OCTANE RECUMBENT BIKES (1 SMALL, 1 LARGE), 2 POLAR HEART RATE MONITORS, 1 MACBOOK, AND 1 IPAD |
| THEATRE FOR ALL INC | WILMINGTON, NC | $13,000 | 2026 | SPRING '26 PRODUCTION: "UNDERWATER" PROJECT SHOW, MAIN SPONSOR |
| CRYSTAL COAST HOSPICE HOUSE | NEWPORT, NC | $11,000 | 2026 | REPLACEMENT & UPGRADE OF SECURITY SYSTEM |
| BEREA BAPTIST CHURCH | ELIZABETH CITY, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | 2025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION |
| NC VETERINARY MEDICAL FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | CVM FORGE FUND |
| TOWN OF CAPE CARTERET | CAPE CARTERET, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | 8 BENCHES + RIDE-ON BLOWER FOR MULTI-USE 3.5 MILE PATH / SIDEWALK ON HWY 24, HWY 28 & TAYLOR NOTION RD |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SMITHFIELD | SMITHFIELD, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | 2025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION |
| FACILITATE RESCUE INC | CLAYTON, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | COSTS TO TRANSPORT ENC CATS TO NO-KILL SHELTERS IN NEW ENGLAND STATES (HEALTH CERTIFICATES, DRIVE, AUTO EXPENESES) |
| NEWPORT PIG PICKIN | NEWPORT, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL EXPENDITURES: RENTALS, FOOD PURCHASES, ENTERTAINMENT, PRINTING |
| AUTISM SOCIETY | NEWPORT, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | IMPROVE OUTDOOR FACILITIES & REPLACE FENCING |
| THE TOMMY'S FOUNDATION | GOLDSBORO, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | IN HONOR OF SOUTHERN GRACE AND THEIR SPORTSMANSHIP DURING THE 2025 TOURNAMENT |
| MARTHA'S MISSION | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | 2025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION |
| MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY INC | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR 2026 EVENT |
| HARKERS ISLAND UNITED METHODIST | HARKERS ISLAND, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | 2025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION |
| NC MARINE & ESTUARY FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | 2025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION |
| CARTERET COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $8,200 | 2026 | PURCHASE OF BOOKS, KITS, SHELVING, INVENTORY TOOLS & TAKE-HOME MATERIALS FOR THE LENDING LIBRARY PROGRAM |
| CARTERET COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY | MORGANTON, NC | $7,500 | 2026 | PURCHASE 8 NEW COMPUTERS & 2 PRINTERS |
| THE BRIDGE DOWNEAST | HARKERS ISLAND, NC | $7,000 | 2026 | 15-PASSENGER VAN |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF CARTERET COUNTY | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $6,000 | 2026 | TENTS, BEDDING, FOOD, ICE, CCATS PASSES AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO HOMELESS, THE EXODUS PROJECT |
BIG ROCK FOUNDATION INC
$525,000CONTRIBUTION TO FOUNDATION
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITY IN BEAUFORT NC - BUILDING BETTER FUTURES,
BRIDGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL
$116,000CONSTRUCTION OF A ROOF STRUCTURE OVER EXISTING BASKETBALL COURT
NEWPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$115,000DEVELOPMENT OF NEW & INCLUSIVE PLAY STRUCTURE, SPECIFICALLY ON THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND
CARTERET COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$100,000NEW WORKFORCE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION & TRANSPORTATION TRADES ($11M PROJECT TOTAL, $9.8M FUNDING RECEIVED)
TOWN OF ATLANTIC BEACH
$100,000200 FT FISHING PIER & PLATFORM AT THE BRIDGE ABUTMENT SITE ON THE AB CAUSEWAY
EAST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL
$88,000MODERNIZE STAGE LIGHTING SYSTEM IN AUDITORUM
CARTERET COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
$76,00024' CAROLINA SKIMMER SKIFF BOAT
MOREHEAD CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
$65,000PURCHASE OF (54) MODULAR VEHICLE BARRICADE UNITS + TRAILER STORAGE
CAPE LOOKOUT FOUNDATION
$65,000CAPE LOOKOUT COAST GUARD STATION RESTORATION
HARKERS ISLAND ELEMENTARY
$63,000PURCHASE & INSTALLATION OF NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT (AND REMOVAL OF CURRENT) ADA
MOREHEAD CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$60,000OUTDOOR CLASSROOM & LEARNING CENTER PROJECT
WHITE OAK ELEMENTARY
$58,000MEDIA CENTER UPGRADES, STEM LAB ENHANCEMENTS, WINDOW FILM INSTALLATION (CAFETERIA+FRONT ENTRANCE)
EAST CAROLINA COUNCIL BSA
$50,000CONSTRUCTION OF NEW MODERN BOATHOUSE AT CAMP BODDIE
CARTERET HUMANE SOCIETY
$50,000REPLACE AC UNIT ($20K) + PURCHASE/RENT 12' X 56' TEMP OFFICE TRAILER ($35K)
BRIDGEKIDS PRESCHOOL
$50,000EXPANSION: FLOORING IN CLASSROOMS + GYM, CABINETS/CUBBIES, PLAYGROUND (SHADE + SWINGS)
TILLER SCHOOL OF CARTERET COUNTY
$42,000RENOVATE P.E. / RECESS FIELD
VOICES TOGETHER
$40,000EXPAND VOICES MUSIC THERAPY IN CC SCHOOLS FROM 2 TO 5 CLASSROOMS, FOR AUTISTIC STUDENTS IN CC
WEST CARTERET ATHLETICS
$35,000TENNIS COURT RESURFACING ($35K) + NEW DIGITAL SCOREBOARD ($75K)
ATLANTIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$27,000PURCHASE OF NEW LIBRARY & MARKERSPACE FURTNITURE
30TH ANNIVERSARY TAGGING CAMPAIGN, WILL MATCH 1:1
NEWPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL
$23,000UPDATES TO ATHLETICS- COMMERICAL WASHER/DRYER, NEW WRESTLING/CHEER MATS, REPLACE WRESTLING SCALE, STORAGE SHED, GATOR
WEST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL BAND
$20,0004 TUBAS, 2 SAXOPHONES, 2 BASS CLARIENTS, 2 PERCUSSION, 2 BASSOONS, 1 OBOE, NEW DRUMLINE
CROATAN PERFORMING ENSEMBLES
$20,000NEW INSTRUMENTS (8) TOTAL
BEAUFORT MIDDLE SCHOOL
$20,000BMS ATHLETICS: UPDATED GYM W/ NEW FLOORING, REPLACE BLEACHERS + ASSIST IN FIELD MAINTENANCE, VIEWING EXPERIENCE FOR SPECTATORS
BEAUFORT POLICE DEPARTMENT
$18,500BICYCLE PATROL UNIT (5 BIKES @ $1,299 EACH)
EDUCATIONAL PASSAGES
$15,000INCREASE MINI BOAT PROGRAM, NEWPORT MIDDLE (BEAUFORT MIDDLE LAST YEAR)
WEST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL
$14,000UPDATE STUDENT MEDIA STUDIO & PODCAST ROOM W/ ESSENTIAL TECHNOLOGY + SETUP IMPROVEMENTS
ST EGBERT'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$14,0002025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION
CRYSTAL COAST CANCER REHABILITATION
$13,000EQUIPMENT: 2 OCTANE RECUMBENT BIKES (1 SMALL, 1 LARGE), 2 POLAR HEART RATE MONITORS, 1 MACBOOK, AND 1 IPAD
THEATRE FOR ALL INC
$13,000SPRING '26 PRODUCTION: "UNDERWATER" PROJECT SHOW, MAIN SPONSOR
CRYSTAL COAST HOSPICE HOUSE
$11,000REPLACEMENT & UPGRADE OF SECURITY SYSTEM
BEREA BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,0002025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION
TOWN OF CAPE CARTERET
$10,0008 BENCHES + RIDE-ON BLOWER FOR MULTI-USE 3.5 MILE PATH / SIDEWALK ON HWY 24, HWY 28 & TAYLOR NOTION RD
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SMITHFIELD
$10,0002025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION
FACILITATE RESCUE INC
$10,000COSTS TO TRANSPORT ENC CATS TO NO-KILL SHELTERS IN NEW ENGLAND STATES (HEALTH CERTIFICATES, DRIVE, AUTO EXPENESES)
NEWPORT PIG PICKIN
$10,000ANNUAL EXPENDITURES: RENTALS, FOOD PURCHASES, ENTERTAINMENT, PRINTING
THE TOMMY'S FOUNDATION
$10,000IN HONOR OF SOUTHERN GRACE AND THEIR SPORTSMANSHIP DURING THE 2025 TOURNAMENT
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY INC
$10,000SUPPORT FOR 2026 EVENT
HARKERS ISLAND UNITED METHODIST
$10,0002025 BIG ROCK CONTRIBUTION
CARTERET COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN
$8,200PURCHASE OF BOOKS, KITS, SHELVING, INVENTORY TOOLS & TAKE-HOME MATERIALS FOR THE LENDING LIBRARY PROGRAM
THE BRIDGE DOWNEAST
$7,00015-PASSENGER VAN
FAMILY PROMISE OF CARTERET COUNTY
$6,000TENTS, BEDDING, FOOD, ICE, CCATS PASSES AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO HOMELESS, THE EXODUS PROJECT
Current and upcoming funding from Crystal Coast Tournament that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organization must provide name, website, mailing address, contact information, event details, and indicate whether it is a registered 501(c)(3).
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.