BUY MORE PROVISIONS. DO MORE GOOD.
Bitter End Provisions was created to provide water sports enthusiasts with the gear they need to get the most out of their time on the water. None of this would be possible without the water itself, which in today’s world, faces real and growing threats from pollution and climate change. That’s why our mission includes taking care of the seas and the communities that depend upon them.
Every time you make a Bitter End Provisions purchase, we donate $1 to the Bitter End Foundation in support of our BVI community as well as the stewardship of our planet’s marine environment.
As a family-owned business, we are grateful we have the freedom to support causes that are important to our community. We hope you will join us in support.
ABOUT THE BITTER END FOUNDATION
We are committed stewards of our planet’s oceans. We support the continued success, unique needs, and wellbeing of seaside communities by providing in-kind, financial and educational support, protecting sea life, undersea and surrounding habitats, and encouraging conservation efforts.
We are the non-profit affiliate of the Bitter End family of companies including Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands and US- based Bitter End Provisions.
We started out in September of 2017 as the Bitter End Irma Relief Fund, responding to the catastrophic impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. These storms decimated our 50-year-old resort, and devastated the lives of the people who live and work in Bitter End’s home, the British Virgin Islands.
The response to our fundraising efforts made us realize that Bitter End should have a much larger philanthropic mission. Our goal for the Bitter End Foundation is that it become a meaningful and long-term force for positive change in communities like ours that are inextricably connected to the sea.
WE BELIEVE:
Humankind has an innate connection and responsibility to the sea.
Bitter End is more than a place--it is a global community of kindred spirits who share a passion for the sea.
We all have a profound duty to care for both our environment and our communities.
WE ACT:
Community has always been the heart of Bitter End. It transcends our uniquely awesome spot on the shores of North Sound. No hurricane can alter the innate beauty of the place, nor the passion of our team and enthusiasts. We are rebuilding Bitter End from the ground up, and that includes the important work of supporting our local community, its institutions, and conservation efforts.
$1,000,000 RAISED AND COUNTING
Since Hurricane Irma, Bitter End's philanthropic efforts are off to a strong start. Due to the overwhelming generosity of our community, we have raised over $1,000,000 to date through the Bitter End Irma Relief Fund and now via our established 501(c)(3), The Bitter End Foundation. Below are some of the initiatives we have supported thus far.
October 2023
In October 2023, Bitter End's General Manager Ed Linsley put a team together to help keep Virgin Gorda beautiful. Bitter End worked closely with our local partners to identify seabeds and shoreline that needed attention and care fulfilling our mission of stewarding the seas and the communities that surround them.
June 2023
As has been our tradition for many years, Bitter End provided all graduating students from North Sound’s Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School with funding to access an expansive library of digital books. Promoting literacy and learning via access to books and other learning tools and platforms, has been and will continue to be an important part of our philanthropic programming.
June 2022
In June of 2022, the Bitter End Foundation joined forces
with Virgin Unite and Unite BVI to bring ocean education and conversation programming
to local youth with a summer full of activities aimed at inspiring young people to care about the ocean. The Unite for the Sea program emphasizes BVI-specific
conservation issues, teaches children the difference that they can make, and encourages them to have fun in water-based activities that highlight the importance of protecting the ocean.
May 2022
As has been our tradition for many years, Bitter End provided all graduating students from North Sound’s Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School with funding to access an expansive library of digital books. Promoting literacy and learning via access to books and other learning tools and platforms, has been and will continue to be an important part of our philanthropic programming.
January 2022
Bitter End provided a grant to long-term partner VISAR (Virgin Islands Search & Rescue) to help secure the balance of the funds needed to replace Virgin Gorda’s rescue vessel, Gorda Peak. All fundraising efforts to replace Gorda Peak were halted after Hurricane Irma and Maria. The new rescue vessel is set to be put in water for tests in mid-September.
October 2021
In Fall 2022, Captain Bill Pinkney was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in recognition of his lifetime achievement and contribution to the sport. Bitter End Yacht Club made a donation of support in recognition of Captain Pinkney Bill's contributions extend far beyond his solo circumnavigation, and his command of the Armistead replica. In 1990-91, the Hokin family sponsored Captain Bill Pinkney, the first African American to circle the globe solo. An amazing story, relayed to millions of inner-city school children across America, as it was happening. The Hokins were beyond delighted to be present this fall evening, seated at Captain Pinkney’s table when Bill delivered a thoughtful and eloquent keynote address. Bill described how Myron Hokin had supported him and urged him to hold his course through the trying process of funding and organizing his circumnavigation. His advice to Bill was that anything having to do with boats “takes as long as it takes”. You can watch the full video here of his inspiring twenty-two minute talk.
August 2021
As has been our tradition for many years, Bitter End provided all graduating students from North Sound’s Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School with funding to access an expansive library of digital books. Promoting literacy and learning via access to books and other learning tools and platforms, has been and will continue to be an important part of our philanthropic programming.
July 2021
In July, the Bitter End Foundation partnered with several of our friends, neighbors, and the government of The British Virgin Islands to fund an intensive, six-month program to assess, treat, and educate the community about Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (“SCTLD”), a rapidly spreading infection that is damaging some of the key “reef builder” corals in our local ecosystem. Thanks to our operating partners, Beyond the Reef, this initiative will allow six dive teams to monitor and treat 8-10 designated dive sights throughout the territory. This grant also provides for the underwater mapping of several of our reef systems by way of an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) operated by the Mare Group, a not-for-profit research organization that documents and explores underwater ecosystems with the goal of assisting in their conservation and management. We anticipate that this project is just the first step in a longer-term project to address SCTLD and reef stewardship.
October 2020
Bitter End partnered with the Guana Fund and the McLain Association for Children Foundation (MAC) to support to the BVI Meals Program, which provides free meals five days a week to the BVI community in Tortola and Virgin Gorda. BVI Meals was born of the COVID-19 crisis, which has resulted in severe disruption to the BVI’s economy and caused unprecedented job loss and economic hardship to many businesses and households. The program has provided 25,000 meals to local community families in need.
July 2020
The Bitter End Foundation supported a local educational and enrichment program aimed at introducing youth to scuba diving and the wonders of the underwater world. Led by Bitter End Yacht Club-based Sunchaser Scuba, the goal of the program was to introduce local youth to the joys of scuba diving and watersports, while educating them on the value of marine life to the territory.
June 2020
In acknowledgement of the economic hard times many are facing due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, Unite BVI and The Bitter End Yacht Club allocated charitable funding to support a food voucher program for individuals and households in need on Tortola, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda.
April 2020
Bitter End purchased 132 additional Chromebooks for the Chromebook Project supporting local school children, bringing the total to over 1,000 Chromebooks contributed by the BVI Funders group to the Ministry of Education and to several financially needy private schools in the British Virgin Islands.
March 2020
Bitter End sponsored an environmental initiative in support of VISAR through Island Bags BVI. IslandBags are made from recycled materials and can also be recycled themselves. IslandBags BVI creates recyclable shopping bags for local retailers and supermarkets in the BVI. All of the proceeds from the IslandBags will go to VISAR, a partner of Bitter End's since their inception in 1988.
January 2020
Bitter End partnered with the Guana Fund and the Ministry of Education to support improvements in air ventilation throughout Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town, Tortola. In collaboration with our partners, 80 fans were purchased and installed to ensure a comfortable working environment for high school students throughout the school.
December 2019
In December, we launched our inaugural "Adopt a Hammock & Support the Sound Auction" in partnership with Sunchaser Scuba and ARK BVI (Association of Reef Keepers). These funds have been earmarked for a year of SeaSweeps and conservation projects in the BVI. Bitter End worked closely with our local partners to identify twelve locations, primarily seabeds and shoreline, surrounding North and Eustatia Sounds that need attention and care. Sweeps are scheduled for each month of 2020 and beyond—fulfilling our mission of stewarding the seas and the communities that surround them.
December 2019
In December, we launched our inaugural "Adopt a Hammock & Support the Sound Auction" in partnership with Sunchaser Scuba and ARK BVI (Association of Reef Keepers). With the support of twelve generous Bitter End families, we raised nearly $60,000! These funds have been earmarked for a year of SeaSweeps and conservation projects in the BVI.
November 2019
Bitter End partnered with the Guana Fund and the Ministry of Education to support improvements in air ventilation throughout Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town, Tortola. In collaboration with our partners, 80 fans were purchased and installed to ensure a comfortable working environment for high school students throughout the school.
November 2019
Bitter End partners with The BVI's Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Buddy Ambassadors Campaign, an ongoing U.S National Anti-bullying campaign designed by author and youth advocate, Loverly Sheridan based on her book "Be a Buddy Not a Bully".
October 2019
Bitter End donates to support American Magic's quest to win back the Cup. Formed in October 2017 by Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing and the New York Yacht Club, American Magic represents a joint vision to win the America’s Cup, the highest prize in sailing and the oldest trophy in international sports.
September 2019
Bitter End makes a major gift to Team Rubicon to support disaster relief efforts in the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Team Rubicon was on the ground in the BVI following Hurricane Irma and worked closely with the Hokin Family on disaster relief efforts in Virgin Gorda.
August 2019
Bitter End provides a grant to support the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) in the BVI. YEP is the oldest NGO in the BVI that focuses on cultivating youth empowerment by providing children opportunities for education in the arts, sports, technology and culture.
July 2019
Sponsored Sunchaser Scuba's Dive & Snorkel Camp providing local children marine biology education and exposure to the underwater world of diving and snorkeling.
June 2019
Bitter End sponsors a North Sound clean-up in honor of World Ocean's Day.
April 2019
Bitter End supports a local sailor, Chris Brockbank's, passion to teach Virgin Gordian children a love for sailing by donating boats from their Club Fleet to the program.
March 2019
Bitter End makes a major gift to our neighbors in Puerto Rico via the organization P.E.C.E.S. to support the restoration of the fishing fleet & fishing association.
February 2019
Bitter End Chefs Henry Winston & Chef Winston Butler prepare and deliver Bitter End's infamous Key Lime Pies as a Valentine's Day Treat to friends throughout the North Sound and the Valley.
November 2018
Grant provided to VISAR (Virgin Islands Search & Rescue) in honor of their 30th Anniversary.
Sponsor of Saira Hospitality School, a provider of tuition-free hospitality training to residents of the BVI
October 2018
Raised $40,000 for the foundation through the sale of BEYC artifacts recovered during the clean-up of the property.
September 2018
Official rollout of Bitter End Provisions and Provisions for Good.
July 2018
Major Gift to the Recovery Development Agendy (RDA) for territory-wide debris clean up project.
July 2018
Sponsor of Saira Hospitality School, a provider of tuition-free hospitality training to residents of the BVI
June 2018
World Oceans Day clean-up of the shoreline and seabed in North Sound in conjunction with Sunchaser Scuba.
May 2018
Sponsor of VISAR’s (Virgin Islands Search & Rescue) Swim and SUP the Sound.
April 2018
Grant to the BVI Tech Ed Project. This program provides laptops and relevant training to students, teachers and administrators throughout the BVI.
December 2017
Holiday party and toy distribution for the local Virgin Gorda Community.
November & December 2017
Direct, emergency financial assistance to the 170+ employees of the Bitter End Yacht Club in the aftermath of Irma & Maria.
September 2017
Partnering with our Puerto Rican friends, North Sound neighbors, and hospitality partners, we organized and facilitated emergency evacuations of dozens of residents and donated and distributed food, water, medical and other supplies to the residents of Virgin Gorda in the days and weeks immediately following Hurricane Irma.
