Our Mission

The Community - Our Mission

As a first-class Giant Bluefin Tuna fishing tournament, the Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament brings together highly-skilled anglers from all over the North-East. The fun and excitement that Phil Grondin started with this annual event was soon leveraged to not only provide a competitive forum for those fisherman but also a means to provide for those in need.

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament understands the importance and the reward of giving back to our communities and that is just what we have done.

Over $800,000 in donations has been distributed since the tournament got its start in 1998. Essentially all donations made by charity auction goers, raffle ticket buyers and our sponsors, have been used to help ensure a positive future for the people of Maine.

from the SITT Mission Statement:

The Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament Charitable Foundation is an independent, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization committed to the purpose of raising and expending funds in support of educational scholarships to deserving individuals and giving charitable donations to those in need….

A long-term goal of the tournament board of directors, led by our visionary President Phil Grondin Sr., has-been to establish self-sustaining endowments at all of Maine’s community colleges. This started with our neighboring institution, Southern Maine Community College, and branched out to the other schools as available funds would allow.

All of the hard work was recognized in 2010 when the Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament received a Council for Resource Development (CRD) National Benefactor Award (www.crdnet.org). The award was presented during a gala celebration at the Hyatt Regency on Capital Hill, in Washington DC.

It’s been both rewarding and inspiring for those involved to help bring this dream to fruition.