We are excited to announce the formation of the MLF Foundation and the mission to further the sport of bass fishing and protect the waters we all love to fish. The MLF Foundation is a 501c3 and will be leading the bass fishing industry to make sure our sport is carried on for generations to come.
MLF Foundation is a 501c3
2022 Season
In 2022, the MLF Foundation launched Pro/Am and Pro/Pro tournaments to bring attention to the sport of professional fishing, to expand the reach of the industry, and to raise money for future endeavors.
2022 Kick Off the Summer
In the month of June, 2022 brought the second annual Kick Off the Summer event to Lake Guntersville. The MLF Foundation and MLFAA worked with local businesses to hose the first Pro/Am tournament. The weekend also featured the Foodland 400, a Kids Event hosted by Chris Lane.
Pro-Pro
The MLF Foundation closed out the year with the first Pro-Pro tournament that brought together two professional sports groups. Anglers of the MLF paired up with professionals from MLB to pack a weekend full of fun, family, fishing, and food.
The MLF Foundation Connects America’s Youth to Their Natural Resources and Promotes Education, Conservation, and an Active Lifestyle
MLF Foundation At Work
We accomplish this mission through diverse public and private partnerships that:
- – Teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as they relate to outdoor activities
- – Encourage an active lifestyle with time outside enjoying our nation’s rich natural resources
- – Promote and provide funding and support for high school and college initiatives relevant to conservation, fishing, and outdoor activities
- – Advance sound conservation practices, environmental stewardship, and boating safety
Building Passion Through Participation
The MLF Foundation functions nationwide with hundreds of volunteers at more than a thousand fishing tournaments and outdoor expos to achieve measurable on-the-ground success in youth angler recruitment and retention. The Foundation maximizes the impact of existing partnerships and expertise through experiential learning opportunities that meet the shared goals of partner schools and natural resource agencies. This hands-on approach allows the Foundation and its partners to connect outdoor leisure activities with sound educational principles and inspire an active lifestyle.
MLF Foundation funding helps support youth fishing recruitment, retention, and reactivation programs through Unified Fishing Derbies, Get Outdoors. Go Fish! School visits by professional anglers and High School Fishing grants among other initiatives. Foundation funding also supports boater safety and conservation programs to enhance aquatic habitat and sustain quality fisheries.
Partners
In addition to its association with leading endemic and nonendemic companies through MLF, the MLF Foundation also has memorandums of understanding in place with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These relationships, plus MLF’s national membership, including students at over 700 colleges and universities, give the MLF Foundation a unique capability to engage families in an innovative and sustainable manner. The MLF Foundation also enjoys close working ties with Keep America Fishing, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), and numerous elementary, middle, and high schools across the country.
You can help! Donate today, tell others about the MLF Foundation, and support the events in your area.
