Program areas at Chicago Yacht Club Foundation
Competition fund: the competition fund enables the cyc Foundation to award grants to support applicants' training for and participation in prestigious national and international sailing competitions, such as the olympics, inter-club invitational events that are nationally recognized, match races ranked as grade 2 or better that are internationally recognized, or (for participants under age 19 who demonstrate financial need) national, continental, or world championship events in a single or double-handed class.
Tall ship programs, including stem cruises and lead her ship: each year, up to ten young women ages 14-17 embark on a five-day cruise on a tall ship, the inland seas, in lake Michigan. We hosted two of these in 2023. During the cruises, these women learn to sail, learn about great lakes ecology, and also learn how to lead and work together as a team. In addition, we hosted eight half-day science, technology, engineering, and math (stem) cruises aboard the inland seas in july for groups from several of our community partners.
Sailing camps: sos children's villages Illinois works to unite children in foster care, surround them with a community of hope, and help them grow into caring and productive adults. In partnership with sos Illinois and the Chicago Yacht Club sailing school, the Foundation has created a sailing camp for sos Illinois children aged 8-14 who are interested in learning to sail. During this immersive experience, students learn how to sail, but also learn about stem subjects and build teamwork skills.
Other programs consistent with the organization's mission, including contributions to support a sailing exhibit at the Chicago children's museum and other programs benefiting the youth and underserved in the chicagoland area.