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.

 

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.

 

Maritime-related Charitable or Educational Organizations

 

Eligibility

The applicant must:

• be a not-for-profit or educational organization located in the Mid-Chesapeake Bay area;

• conduct maritime-related programs;

• be listed in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication No. 78 (Cumulative List of Organizations Described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code) or must provide a favorable determination letter from the IRS issued subsequent to the last update of IRS Publication No. 78; and

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

 

Organizations may apply for operational support.

 

Application

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

 

If for a specific project or program:

• a description of the organization, including the mission;

• a description of your clients or participants who benefit from the work of your organization;

• a description of the specific program or project for which the applicant is seeking support;

• the number of participants who will benefit;

• current annual operating budget;

• an itemized budget for the program or project;

• a brief explanation of how this grant would further the applicant’s goals for the program or project;

• a description of the organization’s experience conducting such programs or projects;

• a true story (not using actual names) about how a participant(s) benefitted from your organization or program; and

• other sources of support that the organization is or will be receiving for the program or project.

 

If for general operational funding:

• a description of the organization, including the mission;

• a description of the programs that your organization provides;

• a description of your clients or participants who benefit from the work of your organization;

• current annual operating budget;

• detail of operating budget (please include current operational budget)

• a brief explanation of how the grant would further the organization’s goals;

• a description of the organization’s experience conducting such programs or projects;

• a true story (not using actual names) about how a participant(s) benefitted from your organization or program; and

• other sources of support that the organization is or will be receiving for the organization; program or project.

 

Additional Information

AYCF prioritizes funding for programs and projects that:

• support environmental stewardship;

• aim to increase participation in and/or improve the quality of the program or project;

• aim to expand the variety of individuals who have access to sailing;

• teach underserved youth and/or adults how to sail; and/or

• can use AYCF support to leverage additional resources.

 

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.

 

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.