Full House, Full Plates, and Lasting Conservation: Sponsoring the Raleigh Ducks Unlimited Banquet
Thursday night brought an electric energy to the Kerr Scott Building at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds as 500 conservationists, waterfowlers, and outdoor advocates filled every seat for the sold-out annual Raleigh Ducks Unlimited Banquet. Presented by Moffat Properties and Moffat Pipe, the premier event brought the local outdoor community together for an evening of shared heritage, high-stakes raffles, and critical habitat fundraising.
I was honored to return once again as the banquet’s official Dinner Sponsor. Partnering with local favorite SouthernQ, we made sure attendees were fueled up on incredible barbecue before hitting the live auctions and floor raffles. Beyond the barbecue, the banquet set a high bar with an open bar anchored by an extraordinary allocated whiskey and bourbon lineup—featuring rare pours from Weller, Blanton’s, Elmer T. Lee, E.H. Taylor, Penelope, and Olde Raleigh Distillery. From pre-event bourbon bottles to high-end waterfowl gear from Chêne and packages from Perry’s Gun Shop, the crowd’s generosity was on full display.
A Continental Mission Born in 1937
While the evening was packed with camaraderie, every raffle ticket dropped and auction paddle raised supported a much bigger picture. Ducks Unlimited traces its roots back to 1937 during the height of the Dust Bowl. With continental waterfowl populations collapsing under extreme drought conditions, a resolute group of sportsmen refused to sit on the sidelines. They founded Ducks Unlimited on a single, focused premise: habitat conservation.
Nearly nine decades later, DU has grown into the world’s largest and most effective private wetlands and waterfowl conservation nonprofit. By conserving, restoring, and managing wetlands across North America, DU builds ecosystems that benefit waterfowl, protect coastal coastlines, naturally purify drinking water, and mitigate severe storm flooding.
Grassroots Stewardship and Unmatched Transparency
Ducks Unlimited is powered from the ground up. Over 4,000 volunteer-led banquets, shoots, and tournaments take place across the continent each year. Because event proceeds represent flexible, unrestricted dollars, local chapters like Raleigh allow DU leadership to direct resources wherever habitat urgency is highest, while leveraging public and private partner funds to amplify every dollar raised.
Donors and sponsors invest with total confidence:
- Platinum Seal of Transparency: Ducks Unlimited holds the highest rating from Candid (formerly GuideStar), demonstrating best-in-class financial transparency, governance, and public reporting.
- The 80% Conservation Guarantee: At least 80% of every dollar DU raises goes directly toward hands-on conservation programs on the ground.
Last night’s Raleigh banquet raised critical funds to fuel that ongoing mission.
To get involved with local chapter events, volunteer, or ensure you have a seat at the table for next year’s banquet, visit the North Carolina Ducks Unlimited Chapter.