AMATEUR SAILING GRANT FUNDING GUIDELINES

Mission

The Annapolis Yacht Club Foundation was established in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide scholarships to underserved youths to participate in junior sailing events, grants to maritime-related 501(c)(3) charitable or educational organizations, and grants to amateur sailors competing at the highest levels.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Application Deadlines

Grant applications are due on the 1st of March, June, September, and December. Late applications will NOT be accepted except for extenuating circumstances where qualification for an event comes mid-cycle.

Any event for which funding is requested should be at least one month after the application deadline so that the Board can meet and make a decision.

Additional Information

AYCF does not support or issue grants or scholarships for the following:

• Events or projects that have already occurred;

• Academic scholarships or tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate studies;

• Annual fundraising drives, fundraising dinners, receptions or performances, honorary functions, debt retirement;

• Overhead costs, building or renovation projects, deficit financing;

• Political activities, capital campaigns, or attempts to influence action on specific legislation;

• For-profit organizations;

• Religious activities; or

• Organizations that discriminate by race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or national origin.

Questions

If you have any questions about the Grant and Scholarship Funding Guidelines or the application process, please email aycf@annapolisyc.com.

Amateur Sailors

Eligibility

The applicant must:

• be an amateur sailor living in the Mid-Chesapeake Bay area;

  • An “amateur” sailor includes any sailor if the national governing body of the sport does not consider the type of support paid to the athlete as destroying the athlete's eligibility to participate in competitions as an amateur.

• be applying for funding to cover costs, in whole or in part, to participate in national or international sailing competition(s) and/or for an overall campaign;

• not have already received more than one grant from AYCF in this calendar year since sailors are only eligible for two AYCF grants per calendar year; and

• demonstrate need.

Application

Please complete the application form, which will ask you to provide the following:

• a summary of the applicant’s recent sailing experience, including two notable events in the past three years;

• the amount of funding requested;

• an itemized competition or campaign budget, including costs for travel, entry and charter fees, lodging, communications, and uniforms;

• a brief explanation of how this grant would further the applicant’s sailing goals;  

• a statement explaining the applicant’s need for the funding; and

• other sources of support that the applicant is or will be receiving.

Additional Information

• Awarded grants are typically between $50 and $5,000. Athletes planning high-level campaigns such as the Olympics can submit annual plans to AYCF for potentially larger amounts.

• AYCF will not provide funding for capital investments, such as sails, hull, equipment, etc.

• AYCF can be the sole sponsor; no matching funds or other sources of support are necessary.

• AYCF prioritizes funding for regattas that require participants to qualify.

• The AYCF Board of Directors considers all applications as well as recommendations from our Advisory Committee. AYCF bases its funding decisions on the strength of the application, other grant applications AYCF is reviewing, and AYCF’s financial position.

Hosts of National, Invitational, and International Regatta

Eligibility

The applicant must:

• be an organization hosting national, invitational, and/or international regattas in the Mid-Chesapeake Bay area; and

• not have already received more than one grant from AYCF in this calendar year since hosts are only eligible for two AYCF grants per calendar year.

Application

Please complete the application form [insert link], which will ask you to provide the following:

• an itemized budget for your regatta(s), including expenses related to increasing regatta participation (e.g., travel reimbursements, entry fee sponsorships, and charter boat fee sponsorships), outreach, and advertising or promotions to expand the diversity of individuals who have access to sailing;

• sources of support that the applicant is or will be receiving;

• a brief explanation of how this grant would further the applicant’s goals; and

• a description of the organization's experience with hosting major regattas.

Grant Recipients

If a grant is awarded, the applicant agrees to:

• use the funds for the purpose stated in the grant application and return any unused funds;

• provide AYCF with a report on how the funds were used, including results, pictures, a thank you note for use as a testimonial on the AYCF website, and lessons learned;

• encourage others to support AYCF;

• be willing to participate in at least some functions when requested, including possible photo opportunities;

• let AYCF use your likenesses and words, including any photographs, videos, images, sound and statements or comments, on the AYCF website and in any advertising or solicitation materials (whether digital or printed), which AYCF may produce as part of its informational and fundraising programs; and

• when appropriate, use the AYCF logo and mention AYCF as a sponsor in any promotional materials developed.