Every year through our 10% Pledge to Protect and Conserve, AFTCO and the Shedd Family contribute at least 10% of company profits towards fishing conservation, protecting our resources, and ensuring future generations have access to a sustainable fishery. Our largest contributions in 2022 were to the following longstanding conservation partners: Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI), Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP), International Game Fish Association (IGFA), FishAmerica Foundation, Captains For Clean Water, and B.A.S.S. Nation.
In 2022, we donated $426,465 in cash contributions through the 10% Pledge. Additionally, AFTCO donated approximately $400K in product and contributed employee time to support causes we believe in. Below we have highlighted three projects that were new in 2022, each receiving $25,000 from AFTCO.
The basic buckets for our 10% support fall into these categories: fishing conservation advocacy, saltwater habitat, freshwater habitat, fish hatcheries, protecting public fishing access, youth fishing engagement and education, clean water, scientific research, and fish tagging. Some of AFTCO's donations are project-based, and some go to support the overall mission of our partners.
Our 10% Pledge model dictates that the more successful our business is in a year, the larger our contribution. AFTCO's annual donation goal is equivalent to at least 10% of total company profits as represented on company financial statements. In 2022, the Peggie Shedd Marine Trust made a $50,000 donation on behalf of the Shedd family who own AFTCO.
AFTCO often provides support through the donation of product and time. In 2022, we estimate that we contributed approximately $400,000 in product to support our partners, disaster relief, and charities. Additionally, AFTCO staff donates a considerable amount of both personal and employee time towards conservation and sustainability efforts, including volunteering at fish hatcheries, CCA events, and cleanup events. AFTCO Chairman Bill Shedd has spent over 400 hours a year on conservation and fishing access issues for 40+ years.The Value of Donated Product and Time Is Not Included in This Total