Community Donation Requests

Public Donation Budget: 10 total per year

We love our Chemung, Schuyler, Tioga, and Steuben County communities. To support local groups while keeping our small business sustainable, we budget for 10 public donations per calendar year.

Once those 10 donations are allocated, this form will close until January 1 of the next year. This form is for public donation requests only.

Please read ALL terms below before submitting. Due to volume, unqualified or incomplete requests are denied without response. Do not call or visit the shop to check your status. We will email you ONLY if approved within 14 business days.

* Our Donation Policy & Terms*

1. Who We Donate To

We prioritize requests from current customers with a working relationship to Swarthout’s Bait & Tackle. “Visited once” or “I follow you on Facebook” does not qualify. We donate to customers who actively support our shop.

2. Where We Donate

We ONLY donate within Chemung, Schuyler, Tioga, or Steuben Counties. This includes Elmira, Corning, Ithaca, Watkins Glen, and surrounding towns. Requests outside this 4-county area will be denied.

3. What We Donate

YES: Bait Bucks for approved fundraisers/events. Bait Bucks are coupons issued in $5 increments that can only be redeemed for live bait in our shop. $50 maximum per approved request. Bait Bucks expire 7 days from the date of your event.

YES: Fishing equipment at our discretion. We may choose to donate tackle/gear instead of, or in addition to, Bait Bucks depending on your event, your need, and our budget. All gear selection is at Swarthout’s sole discretion.

NO: Monetary donations. We do not give cash, checks, or gift cards. Bait Bucks are not cash and cannot be redeemed for cash.

NO: Sponsorships/Advertising. Sponsorships are paid partnerships requiring a formal business proposal, these are not considered donations. Email  with your proposal. Do not use this form.

4. Event Types We Consider

We approve donations in this priority order. Our primary focus will always be on fishing, children, and cancer. We will consider:

Fishing-related events & youth fishing programs - highest priority

Children’s activities & youth programs

Fundraisers/benefits for individuals or families facing financial hardship due to cancer, terminal illness, or serious medical illness - Must be a current customer or immediate family of a current customer

Local first responder/veteran events

5. What We Do NOT Donate To

Political campaigns, individual/family hardship not related to medical illness, GoFundMe-style requests for non-medical reasons, travel expenses, bills/utilities/rent unrelated to medical hardship, salaries/operating costs, adult sports leagues, events with less than 30 days notice, or organizations with no prior relationship to our shop.

6. Redemption & Pickup Requirement

All approved Bait Bucks or equipment must be picked up at Swarthout’s Bait & Tackle during business hours before your event date. Bait Bucks expire 7 days from the date of your event and are for live bait only. We do not ship or deliver donations.