is Supporting the following Charities this year!

American Cancer Society
Saving lives by helping people stay well
and get well and finding cures for cancer.

Mote Marine Laboratory
Advancing the science of the sea since 1955
Sarasota Youth Sailing Program
Building confidence & skills
for our community & future boaters. 
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 Sarasota 
 Yacht Club

SYCCF Grant Making Guidelines
The Foundation expects to have the financial resources available to begin the grant making process in July 2010.

The Foundation grant making process begins in July each year when the entire Board of Directors meets to review the preceding year’s grant activities and to decide how they want to distribute available funds for the coming year. The Board considers allocations in light of our Mission Statement to individuals and organizations that:

·        Promote  the goodwill of the yachting community;

·        Promote the growth of the yachting community through youth educational programs;

·        Promote respect for and the protection and preservation of our marine environment;

·        Promote the health and wellness and active lifestyle of the yachting community.

 

Prospective recipients will be divided into five major categories:

  1. Amateur Sailing
  2. Educational Scholarships & Clinics
  3. Special Event or Regatta
  4. Maritime Organization
  5. Local Charities that Promote the Health, Wellness and Active Lifestyle of the Yachting Community

 

A percentage of the expected available funds are assigned to each category.  Percentages are then converted to dollar amounts.  During the year we track our grants by categories on a Quarterly basis to evaluate progress.

 

Based on the expected available funds the board will determine the number of grants in each category it expects to approve.

For grants made to individuals and teams, we ask the applicants to complete the Grant Application.  A grant application is typically submitted for a particular event (or for a series of events over an extended time period).  An applicant new to the Foundation is also asked to submit a sailing resume, as well as a description of his/her long-term objectives, including budget data.

Grant applications are received throughout the year, usually a few weeks prior to the referenced event, and they are evaluated by a grants committee currently composed of five board members.  Most of the evaluations and judgments are handled by email within a few weeks of receipt.  Grant checks and related documents are produced usually within a week of their approval by the grants committee.

Individual grant applicants are restricted to persons living in Sarasota or Manatee County or who are affiliated with local sailing organizations.  Many of our grants are to help fund expenses related to sailors’ travel to out-of-town regattas, and we seldom make a grant that exceeds 50% of an event budget.  Applicants must be under age 18 and “need” is an important criterion for evaluating requests for funds.

 

SYCCF will also make educational grants for Scholarships for participation in maritime-related educational programs.

Grants to “organizations” are usually to local 501c3 organizations that are involved in Sailing-Related Activities, Maritime-Related Charitable Organizations or Charitable Organizations which promote the health, wellness and active lifestyle of the yachting community.  Organizations must complete the Grant Application prior to June 30th.  Organizations are selected annually in July. 

 

Grant applications will not be considered for individuals who are related to:

  • Directors of the Foundation
  • Substantial Contributors to the Foundation
  • Directors or Employees of the Sarasota Yacht Club.

Amateur Sailing

US Olympic sailors are rarely wealthy enough to compete in the Olympics without raising external funds. Sailors cannot make it to the Olympics with family money alone. The US Sailing Olympic Sailing Committee can’t meet all of our Olympians needs. When our sailors do get on the water, they are competing against international sailors who are nationally funded—for training, logistics, and gear.

Not only do competitive sailors need support when they are at the Olympic level, they need external support to get to that Olympic level.

SYCCF helps Olympians and aspiring Olympians of all ages to be the best they can be. For younger sailors, a grant can make the difference between competing or not competing, competing competitively or simply learning how to begin the process of raising money to become an amateur sailor. For more advanced sailors, grants can give them moral support from their home community, legitimacy to larger funders, or the crucial difference between a coach or not.

Funding Guidelines

Amateur Sailing Competition:

  1. Amateur sailors
    1. Amateur sailors from the Sarasota Bay area who are participating in national or international sailing competition are eligible. 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.
    2. SYCCF will not accept contributions designated for the benefit of a specific amateur sailor.
    3. A competition or campaign budget must be included in the application.
      1. travel, entry and charter fees, lodging costs, communications, and uniforms are eligible for support [capital investments, such as sails, hull, equipment, etc., are not funded];
      2. Other sources of support should be included;
      3. SYCCF can be the sole sponsor; no matching funds or other sources of support are necessary to qualify; and
      4. SYCCF does not discriminate based on financial need.
    4. A sailing resume must be included in the application.
    5. SYCCF evaluates proposals based on realistic budgets and clear, measurable and appropriate goals and objectives.
    6. Sailors are eligible for two grants from SYCCF in one calendar year, and the grants can be for an overall campaign or separate competitions.
    7. Following evaluation of grant applications, an applicant will receive –
      1. A letter explaining why the application did not receive a grant, or
      2. A funding agreement that will specify the cooperation expected of the applicant in furnishing to SYCCF reports, photographs, appearances, or testimonials with respect to his or her competition.
  2. National and International Regattas:
    1. Organizations hosting national and international regattas in the Sarasota Bay area are eligible.
    2. A regatta budget must be included with the application.
      1. Other sources of support must be shown in the application;
      2. General overhead expenses are not eligible for support; and
      3. Expenses related to increasing regatta participation, such as travel reimbursements, entry fee sponsorships, or charter boat fee sponsorships, or outreach, advertising or promotions to expand the demographic diversity (gender, physical ability, age, skill level), are eligible.
    3. The organization's experience with hosting major regattas must be included.
    4. SYCCF evaluates proposals based on realistic budgets and clear measurable and appropriate goals and objectives.
    5. Organizations are eligible for two grants from SYCCF in a calendar year. These grants can be for an individual competition or separate competitions.

 

Educational Scholarships & Clinics

Sailing is a unique experience, a life-changing opportunity and, for many, a lifestyle in and of itself. SYCCF strongly believes that the opportunity to learn about the Bay and to be on the water in a sailboat and should be made available to as many in our community as possible. First-hand knowledge of the Sarasota Bay leads to greater awareness of the Bay, important self-development, team-building, and an awareness of community. SYCCF supports education programs throughout the Sarasota Bay area that encourage widespread participation through the incentive of scholarships.

Funding Guidelines

Scholarships for participation in maritime-related educational programs.

  1. Individuals under the age of 18 interested in participating in maritime-related educational programs (i.e. sailing, boat-building, environmental) who can demonstrate need are eligible.
  2. A letter of interest must accompany the application.
  3. Scholarships can be full or partial.
  4. Following evaluation of grant applications, an applicant will receive –
    1. A letter explaining why the application did not receive a grant, or
    2. A funding agreement that will specify the cooperation expected of the applicant in furnishing reports, photographs, appearances or testimonials with respect to his or her experience

Clinics.

  1. Educational sailing clinics for individuals are eligible.
  2. Clinics can be in preparation for racing, intensive sailing instruction, or instructor training.
  3. Grants can be full or partial.
  4. Other sources of support must be included in the application;
  5. General overhead expenses are eligible for support under some circumstances;
  6. Expenses related to increasing participation or improving program quality have priority; and
  7. Projects and programs that are able to use SYCCF support to leverage additional resources are given the highest priority.
  8. Following evaluation of grant applications, an applicant will receive –
    1. A letter explaining why the application did not receive a grant, or
    2. A funding agreement that will specify the cooperation expected of the applicant in furnishing reports, photographs, appearances or testimonials with respect to his or her experience.

Special Event or Regatta

The opportunity for young sailors to compete in National and International sailing events is critical for their development.  Such activities encourage the teaching of life-long lessons, which seek to build character, foster teamwork, and strengthen respect for self, others and the marine environment.  The SYCCF seeks to support both serious competitors and recreational sailors at all levels of skill to create sailors who will enjoy and contribute to the sport of sailing for their entire lives. Grants may be awarded for Individuals or Teams.

Funding Guidelines

Grants for participation in Special Events and National and International Regattas:

  1. Individuals or Teams from Sarasota and Manatee County, under the age of 18, interested in participating in Special Events and National and International Regattas who can demonstrate need are eligible.
  2. A detailed explanation of the Event/Regatta is required.  Include url where possible.
  3. Grants may be awarded up to 50% of the total cost.
  4. Following evaluation of grant applications, an applicant will receive –
    1. A letter explaining why the application did not receive a grant, or
    2. A funding agreement that will specify the cooperation expected of the applicant in furnishing reports, photographs, appearances or testimonials with respect to his or her experience

Maritime-related Charitable Organizations

The resources of the Sarasota Bay are a privilege and a responsibility to all those living within the Bay’s watershed. Increased exposure to the Sarasota Bay enables us all to share in the bounties of the Bay. Increased awareness of the Bay’s maritime heritage, economic importance, and environmental fragility empowers us all to become better stewards of the treasure in our backyard.

Funding Guidelines

Maritime-Related Charitable Organizations.

  1. Not-for-profit and governmental organizations conducting maritime-related programs are eligible. The organization must be listed in 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 IRS issued subsequent to the last update of IRS Publication No. 78.
  2. Program or project budgets must be included in the application.
    1. Other sources of support must be included in the application;
    2. General overhead expenses are eligible for support under some circumstances;
    3. Expenses related to increasing participation or improving program quality have priority; and
    4. Projects and programs that are able to use SYCCF support to leverage additional resources are given the highest priority.
  3. Organizational experience conducting such programs or projects should be included.
  4. Programs that demonstrate sustainability will be given priority.
  5. SYCCF evaluates proposals based on realistic budgets and clear, measurable and appropriate goals and objectives.
  6. Organizations are eligible for two grants from SYCCF in a calendar year.
  7. SYCCF does not support –
    1. Political activities or attempts to influence action on specific legislation;
    2. Academic scholarships or tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate studies;
    3. Annual fundraising drives, institutional benefits, honorary functions, fundraising dinners, receptions or performances, capital campaigns, debt retirement, or completed projects;
    4. Overhead costs, building or renovation projects, deficit financing, operating budgets, or staff salaries;
    5. For-profit organizations; or
    6. Religious activities.

Local Charities that Promote the Health, Wellness and Active Lifestyle of the Yachting Community

On an annual basis the SYCCF awards grants to a single local charity that promotes the Health, Wellness and Active Lifestyle of the Yachting Community.

Funding Guidelines

  1. Not-for-profit organizations are eligible. The organization must be listed in 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 IRS issued subsequent to the last update of IRS Publication No. 78.
  2. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the criteria of “Promoting the Health, Wellness and Active Lifestyle of the Yachting Community”.
  3. Program or project budgets must be included in the application.
    1. Other sources of support must be included in the application;
    2. General overhead expenses are eligible for support under some circumstances;
    3. Expenses related to increasing participation or improving program quality have priority; and
    4. Projects and programs that are able to use SYCCF support to leverage additional resources are given the highest priority.
  4. Organizational experience conducting such programs or projects should be included.
  5. Programs that demonstrate sustainability will be given priority.
  6. SYCCF evaluates proposals based on realistic budgets and clear, measurable and appropriate goals and objectives.
  7. Organizations are eligible for two grants from SYCCF in a calendar year.
  8. SYCCF does not support –
    1. Political activities or attempts to influence action on specific legislation;
    2. Academic scholarships or tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate studies;
    3. Annual fundraising drives, institutional benefits, honorary functions, fundraising dinners, receptions or performances, capital campaigns, debt retirement, or completed projects;
    4. Overhead costs, building or renovation projects, deficit financing, operating budgets, or staff salaries;
    5. For-profit organizations; or
    6. Religious activities.