WHO WE ARE - LGBTQ+ SCUBA DIVERS

Since 1992, DFL books a dedicated resort for a life affirming week of LGBTQ+ diving, entertainment and camaraderie. The proceeds of the event are donated to charitable organizations designated by local dive clubs. Thanks to Diving For Life Jamborees, LGBTQ+ Scuba Divers from around the globe have helped to raise OVER $1.5 MILLION dollars!! for people living with AIDS and other Lesbian and Gay health concerns. So join us!

Diving For Life is a tax exempt, not-for-profit organization that sponsors The International LGBTQ+ Scuba Jamboree. The Jamboree is a fund raising event that offers a fun filled week of Scuba diving and other activities with 100 - 150 or more LGBTQ+ divers attending. All proceeds from the Jamboree are donated to charitable organizations that support the health concerns of the LGBTQ+ community. Incorporated as a charitable organization in New York State, DFL has been granted 501(c)(3) tax exempt status as an organization that uses its funds for charitable purposes.

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: DFL 2022 FIJI

DIVING FOR LIFE: BENEFICIARIES

Funds are raised in conjunction with the annual Diving for Life Scuba Jamboree and distributed to local health-related charities selected by participating Scuba clubs in those communities. The amount for each community is based on the number of local club members participating in the Diving for Life event.

2023 | 2022 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993

DIVING FOR LIFE, INC. A Foundation for LGBTQ Scuba Diving Charitable Giving
Cumulative Grantmaking from all Diving For Life LGBTQ Scuba Jamborees from 1993 to present

$1,523,589.42 USD

Cumulative Grantmaking by Club Affiliation

297,857	Village Dive Club, New York
214,555	Northern California Rainbow Divers, San Francisco
204,695	Lambda Divers, Washington, DC
100,622	Ruby Red Flippers, Portland Oregon
86,780	Oak Lawn Ski and Scuba Club, Dallas
35,760	San Diego Rainbow Scuba Club
34,820	Gay And Lesbian Underwater Group, London, UK
31,320	Bottom Dwellers, Seattle
30,146	SUBS Australia
29,517	Sea Squirts, North Carolina
28,980	Stonewall Divers, Dallas
26,683	Triangle Divers, Boston and New England
20,039	Barnacle Busters, Los Angeles
18,338	Toronto Rainbow Reef Rangers, Canada
3,469	Sunshine Athletic Association, South Florida
3,080	Rainbow Divers Club, Seattle
1,600	DFL Board Designated
620	None - in memory of Patrick Kelly

Diving For Life Financial Summary 2012 - 2023

	2012 Bali	2013 Curacao	2014 Bonaire	2015 Costa Rica	2016 Philippines	2017 Belize	2018 Cozumel	2019 Bonaire	2022 Fiji	2023 Turks
INCOME
Air Travel Commissions and Rebates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Auction - Live Auction Income	3,834	7,526	2,530	10,331	9,620	13,551	13,275	7,375	12,900	10,530
Auction - Silent Auction Income	12,470	11,200	16,010	15,020	13,520	18,575	32,535	16,925	29,912	31,175
Contributions to DFL (incl from Clubs)	12,273	4,307	4,557	5,242	5,954	4,290	4,326	1,613	10,192	24,137
Participant Cancellation Dep Retained	5,100	7,344	3,900	13,150	16,683	6,150	11,245	15,345	10,500	2,623
Interest Income	478	271	226	370	277	322	510	648	668	180
Other Income - CC Fees Charged	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Merchandise Revenue	0	480	-30	0	0	0	0	0	3,919	0
Raffle Ticket Sales	16,685	16,280	16,875	21,858	15,916	15,976	19,990	13,720	20,000	22,020
Participant Registration Fees	212,889	227,974	207,746	299,891	210,576	256,419	228,608	193,310	261,260	360,440
TOTAL INCOME	$263,729	$275,381	$251,814	$365,863	$272,546	$315,283	$310,488	$248,936	$349,351	$451,105
EXPENSES
Bank Charges & Fees	898	698	299	506	385	311	2,025	8,217	16,059	12,584
Copying, Printing and Mailing	0	0	0	0	0	0	86	0	0	0
Entertainment and Promotional Items	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Land Package - Site Contracted Cost	156,308	186,797	134,817	234,193	153,667	240,286	162,320	139,114	197,582	322,622
Tips (or included in land package)	10,666	10,500	11,043	10,730	7,913	0	0	0	11,600	0
Office Supplies	0	0	0	638	0	65	61	381	1,933	1,097
Insurance	0	0	0	0	3,114	3,118	3,063	3,060	4,180	3,171
Raffle Prizes Purchased & Expenses	2,800	1,900	2,880	3,950	2,650	2,960	1,902	1,289	1,500	1,750
Event Expenses	1,243	1,465	1,856	1,706	3,459	2,822	1,129	0	2,224	3,565
Tax Preparation Fees	80	80	80	80	80	80	80	80	190	90
Taxes and Permits	50	50	50	50	50	50	50	50	150	100
Website and Internet Development	609	557	1,139	849	317	180	132	132	175	240
TOTAL EXPENSES	$172,654	$202,047	$152,164	$252,701	$171,634	$249,872	$170,847	$152,323	$235,593	$345,219
NET INCOME FROM DFL	$91,075	$73,334	$99,650	$113,161	$100,912	$65,411	$139,641	$96,612	$113,758	$105,886

PATRICK KELLY - FOUNDER OF DIVING FOR LIFE A Tribute by April Gallo

One who “lives to dive” can also “dive to live.”

One who "lives to dive" can also "dive to live." So proved Patrick Kelly when he gave birth to the First Annual Diving for Life Scuba Jamboree in 1992. A veteran diver in love with the sport and infected with the AIDS virus, Patrick’s dream was to unite all gay and lesbian divers (locally, nationally, internationally, and one day interplanetary, if possible), while raising money to fight the virus which was slowly depriving him of life. Patrick had many dreams and those who knew him knew he dreamt in Technicolor with digital Dolby surround sound.

Throughout the year of 1993, Patrick worked tirelessly planning the next jamboree. In October all systems were "go" for the Second Annual Diving for Life Scuba Jamboree at Captain Don’s Habitat in Bonaire. Two days before we were to leave, Patrick was hospitalized with PCP pneumonia. Ron Castleman and I tearfully left Patrick behind to attend this bittersweet event amidst a sea of our own enthusiasm, fear, and sadness. As much as it seemed unthinkable to go without him, it was equally unthinkable to not see it through. Needless to say, the event was a tremendous success and an extremely emotional one at that.

We, and representatives of the other five gay and lesbian scuba clubs in attendance, pulled together to form the initial board of directors for Diving for Life. Without the tremendous support, vision, and hard work of the club representatives present, there would be no Diving for Life today.

Patrick anxiously awaited our return and had even purchased a VCR so he could watch the jamboree video the moment we returned. Sadly, Patrick never left the hospital, but it was with relief that he did get to see his final dream become a reality.

It seems insufficient to pay tribute to Patrick Kelly - winning amateur figure skater; Producer of Michael Callen’s Legacy CD; and lover of all things turquoise.

Perhaps one of the things I admired most about Patrick was his understanding of the importance of leaving a legacy — not just any legacy -— but one which would bring joy to so many participants, while providing support to so many in need.

DIVING FOR LIFE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cordell Brown - President, 2025 Co-Organizer
Chad Anderson - Vice President, Region Liaison, 2025 Co-Organizer
Tom Bond - Treasurer
Jim McVittie - Secretary
Christine Simon
Tracy Taggart
Doug Patterson
Jack Johnson
Maggie Cannon

The DFL Jamboree is supported by LGBTQ friendly organizations throughout the world.