Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc.

Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc. is committed to providing an outstanding fishing tournament, the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, which will promote and encourage marine conservation; create, preserve, and maintain fishing habitats, both natural and artificial; promote public access to such facilities; and foster education with regard to marine science and research.

JMC Board Members and JU Officials at a recent donation ceremony.

Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc., the 501 c(3) organization behind the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, evolved through the success of the GJKT and utilizes its proceeds to support marine science research, preservation, and education. The Board’s criteria for funding a project is strict. It must be marine-oriented and overseen or proposed by other non-profit groups. The effects of these donations are far-reaching and benefit, not only Jacksonville and the First Coast, but also the entire state of Florida.

Over the past 19 years, Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc. has donated over $650,000 to the First Coast Community.

JMC is proud to support a variety of marine-focused charitable programs within the community including:

Promotion of marine conservation and preservation of fishing habitats.
Development of Sisters Creek Park as the permanent site of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament and annual contributions, over $308,000 to date, to the Sisters Creek Park Maintenance & Improvement Fund.
An annual scholarship program to provide aid to qualifying college students in the fields of marine science and oceanography.
Marine science research projects at Jacksonville University.
Renovation of Helen Cooper Floyd Little Jetties Park.
Implementation of the Boater 101 marine science education course in area public and private high schools. This program teaches environmental awareness education, boating safety, waterways responsibility, and also provides opportunities for career exploration in both marine industry and recreational areas.
Support for Mandarin High School's Reef Ball Project and National Ocean Sciences Bowl.
Support for Jacksonville Offshore Fishing Club's Reef Projects, St. Johns Riverkeeper, and Safe Harbor Boys Home.

The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament & Festival itself, however, remains Jacksonville Marine Charities’ greatest gift to the First Coast community. Our annual economic impact is almost $12 million.