Chicago Yacht Club Foundation

What Chicago Yacht Club Foundation does

Chicago Yacht Club Foundation (CYCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity and the charitable arm of the Chicago Yacht Club, founded to introduce the joys and benefits of boating to Chicagoland youth with a primary focus on children and teenagers from underrepresented communities on the city's South and West Sides. The foundation delivers a portfolio of free programs — including the Adventure Boating Camp, Monroe Community Sailing, STEM Cruises aboard the tall ship Inland Seas, the Lead HER Ship leadership program, Judd's Sailing Camp for children with physical disabilities, the Maritime Academy, Sailing School Scholarships, the InSPIRE Scholarship for graduating high-school seniors, and the Sailapalooza and Wintrust Week collaborative events — across five Chicago lakefront locations (Monroe Station, Belmont Station, 31st Street Harbor, Burnham Harbor, and Jackson Park Harbor). All programs are provided at no cost to participants, with the foundation supplying gear, meals, and transportation; the technology footprint is non-digital, centered on a fleet of donated sailboats (J/100s, Sonars, Colgate 26s, Capri 22s, 420s, Bugs, Fevas) and adaptive keelboats operated by a six-person staff. Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions — annual appeals, foundation grants (notably the Dr. Arthur J. Atkinson Family Foundation), corporate partnerships (Wintrust Financial, Captain Dave's Foundation), donor-advised fund grants, matching gifts, stock and boat donations, planned gifts, and events — with the 2025 Annual Appeal alone exceeding $890,000. The foundation partners with more than 17 community organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Girls Inc., BUILD Chicago, SOS Children's Villages, KEEN Chicago, and the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation to deliver programs, and was recognized nationally in 2025 with US Sailing's Jim Kilroy Outstanding Outreach & Inclusion Award.

Name

Chicago Yacht Club Foundation

Legal name

Chicago Yacht Club Foundation

Website

https://chicagoyachtclubfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free youth sailing, swimming, and STEAM education programs to underrepresented Chicago communities across five lakefront harbors, funded entirely by charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sailing and Boating Education

NAICS

Marinas (713930), Marinas (71393)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Educational Cruises & Shipboard Learning Programs (THAKAGAM)

Keywords

• Youth sailing education
• Nonprofit boating programs
• Maritime STEM education
• Adaptive sailing services
• Youth leadership development

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation relies primarily on charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Annual appeals, matching gifts, corporate matching programs, donor-advised fund grants, IRA qualified charitable distributions, stock donations, boat donations, tribute gifts, and legacy/planned gifts constitute the main revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free sailing, swimming, STEM, and leadership programs to youth from underrepresented communities across Chicago. Programs are funded entirely through charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants, with all gear, meals, and transportation provided at no cost to participants. Operations span multiple lakefront locations in partnership with the Chicago Yacht Club and a network of 17+ community organizations.

Product overview

Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers a portfolio of youth boating and sailing programs focused on introducing youth from underrepresented communities to Lake Michigan. The core offerings include: Adventure Boating Camp and Monroe Community Sailing (hands-on sailing instruction); STEM Cruises aboard Inland Seas and After-School STEAM Programs (educational components); Lead HER Ship Program and Atkinson Leadership Program (leadership development); Sailing School Scholarships, InSPIRE Scholarship Program, and Competition Fund (pathway programs); plus Sea Scout Ship #5870 Privateer, Maritime Academy, Judd's Sailing Camp (specialized programs), and Sailapalooza and Wintrust Week (collaborative initiatives). Swimming lessons are integrated throughout to address water safety. The Foundation partners with over 17 community organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc., and various schools to deliver these programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adventure Boating Camp A week-long learn-to-sail and learn-to-swim camp that introduces kids from underrepresented communities to kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and sailing activities at Belmont Harbor.
• Monroe Community Sailing Community sailing programs held at Monroe Harbor, partnering with local organizations to introduce youth from underrepresented communities to sailing.
• STEM Cruises Half-day cruises aboard the tall ship Inland Seas focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education for youth.
• Lead HER Ship Program A flagship five-day leadership cruise on Lake Michigan aboard the tall ship Inland Seas for young women ages 14-18, teaching seamanship, teamwork, leadership, and Great Lakes ecology.
• Sailing School Scholarships Grants enabling Chicago-area youth to attend sailing schools throughout Chicagoland, covering instruction, meals, and full-time instruction.
• Swimming Lessons Life-saving swimming lessons combined with water safety education for youth participants, often provided in partnership with community organizations.
• Competition Fund Grants supporting Chicago-area sailors training for and participating in prestigious national and international sailing competitions, including Olympic campaigns.
• Sea Scout Ship #5870 Privateer A youth boating program hosted at Chicago Yacht Club for ages 14-21, providing sailing instruction, overnight adventures, and leadership development.
• Maritime Academy Training program teaching teens maritime skills including line handling, firefighting, CPR, first aid, and boat operations in collaboration with Chicago Maritime School.
• InSPIRE Scholarship Program Scholarship program for graduating high-school seniors who have participated in Foundation initiatives, providing postsecondary training, education, and work experience.
• After-School STEAM Programs Educational programs bringing nautical STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) curriculum to Chicagoland schools and community organizations.
• Sailapalooza A four-day sailing camp and evening cruise at Chicago Yacht Club's Monroe Station introducing youth to sailing, swimming, and fishing activities.
• Judd's Sailing Camp Adaptive sailing camp for children with physical disabilities ages 8-14, operated in partnership with Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
• Wintrust Week A collaborative program between CYCF and Wintrust Financial Corporation providing hands-on boating and STEM learning experiences for youth from Chicago communities.
• Atkinson Leadership Program A new leadership development program connecting sailing to personal and professional growth for Chicago youth, funded by the Dr. Arthur J. Atkinson Family Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3,000 youth served annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Wintrust Financial CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Major corporate partner for Wintrust Week, a collaborative program that welcomed more than 180 young people to Lake Michigan for hands-on boating and STEM learning. Wintrust sponsored the J/145 sailboat 'Sic Parvis Magna' and provided intern support. The partnership exemplifies authentic, community-centered engagement.
• Girls Inc. of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025New partnership in 2025 creating opportunities for girls to learn, grow, and build confidence on and off the water. CYCF sponsored a Shedd Aquarium field trip for 80 younger girls, keelboat sailing at Columbia Yacht Club, and participation in Sailapalooza.
• KEEN ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership expanding sailing and swimming opportunities for children with disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and various intellectual and developmental disabilities. Programs include Judd's Camp, Seadog introductory cruises, and swim school.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with more than 20 locations serving nearly 20,000 young people. CYCF works specifically with Bartlett J. McCartin Boys & Girls Club and multiple Union League Boys & Girls Club locations for after-school STEAM, sailing, and Wintrust Week programs.
• Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to present Judd's Sailing Camp, introducing children with physical disabilities ages 8-14 to sailing using specially designed adaptive keelboats at Burnham Harbor. CYCF sponsors the camp which provides door-to-door transportation in specially-equipped vans.
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Nationally renowned rehabilitation facility assists in identifying children for Judd's Sailing Camp and coordinating transportation. Provides expertise in working with children with physical disabilities ensuring programs are safe and beneficial from a developmental perspective.
• Columbia Yacht Club (Chester Kuttner Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration between CYCF and Columbia Yacht Club's Chester Kuttner Foundation to introduce Chicagoland kids from underrepresented communities to sailing. Columbia provides Youth Keelboat learn-to-sail classes for partnership participants.
• Inland Seas Education AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Educational partner providing the 77-foot gaff-rigged tall ship Inland Seas for STEM cruises and Lead HER Ship leadership development cruises. ISLEA provides educational programming focused on Great Lakes ecology and maritime skills.
• Chicago Maritime SchoolflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Provides 18 hours of training for the Maritime Academy program including line handling, firefighting, CPR, first aid, and boat operation skills. Helps teens develop skills needed to work on Chicago's commercial boats.
• City of Chicago (One Summer Chicago - Chicagobility)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Hosted 19 Chicagobility interns (teens ages 14-15 from One Summer Chicago program) for weeklong introduction to maritime careers and on-the-water safety training at Monroe Station.
• Chicago Yacht ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Parent organization providing facilities, boats, sailing school infrastructure, and member volunteers. CYCF is the charitable arm of CYC. Programs operate at Monroe Station and Belmont Station.
• Whitehawk (Peter and Marijane Thornton)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Generous donors who shared their 106-foot ketch Whitehawk with CYCF for Whitehawk Week, hosting cruises for campers from Jackson Park Yacht Club Sailing School. Also involved in Mac Gives Back fundraising.
• SOS Children's Villages IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Multi-year partnership providing sailing, swimming, and boating experiences for children in foster care. Partnership entering third consecutive year in 2024.
• BUILD Chicago Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization serving youth on Chicago's West Side. CYCF offers Adventure Boating Camp at Belmont for BUILD participants.
• My Block My Hood My CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Organization inspiring youth and empowering communities on Chicago's South and West Sides. CYCF provides half-day cruises, Sailapalooza, Monroe Community Sailing, and City Sailing League opportunities.
• One Family IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Advances safety and well-being of children by keeping siblings together in foster care. CYCF provides Adventure Boating Camp, Sailing School Scholarships, After-School STEAM, and Cruising Sail Fleet Cruise opportunities.
• PALScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Creates inclusive camp experiences for people with and without Down syndrome through one-on-one pairings. CYCF provides CYC Cruising Sail Fleet Cruise experiences.
• Jackson Park Yacht Club FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CYCF is platinum sponsor of Jackson Park Open Horizons Program providing two-week need-based scholarship sailing camp for children ages 8-18.
• The Chicago LighthousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Serves people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and Veterans. CYCF partnership provides Judd's Camp programming for blind and visually impaired youth.
• Lost BoyzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Works to decrease violence, improve social and emotional conditions for at-risk youth from Chicago's South Shore. CYCF provides Adventure Boating Camp, Wintrust Week sails, and Whitehawk Week cruises.
• Youth for a Better FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Empowers youth and families through educational initiatives. Nearly 50% of participants returned for additional CYCF sailing school classes. CYCF provides Adventure Boating Camps and Sailing School Scholarships.
• St. Joseph ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Addresses root causes of violence and poverty through after-school, mentorship, and summer camp programs in Austin and Humboldt Park neighborhoods. CYCF provides after-school STEAM programs.
• Galileo Scholastic Academy of Math & SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Chicago Public Schools magnet school serving 532 K-8 students. CYCF provides after-school STEAM programs, Monroe Community Sailing, and Sailapalooza participation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sail Newport: Rhode Island nonprofit sailing school providing youth and adult instruction with an adaptive program. Comparable model as a sailing school/center with strong outreach and inclusion programs.
• Hudson River Community Sailing: NYC-based nonprofit offering sailing instruction, adaptive sailing, and youth outreach programs. Closely aligned mission of making sailing accessible to underserved urban youth.
• Community Sailing Center (Burlington, VT): Nonprofit community sailing center providing on-water instruction and adaptive sailing programs. Operates a comparable nonprofit yacht-club-adjacent model with youth outreach focus.
• Sea Scouts of America (BSA): National youth boating program for ages 14-21 providing sailing instruction and leadership development. CYCF hosts Sea Scout Ship #5870 Privateer, making BSA a direct comparator in youth maritime education.
• Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation: Chicago peer providing youth sailing scholarships and learn-to-sail programs. CYCF is the platinum sponsor of their Open Horizons program, making them direct collaborators serving overlapping youth populations.
• Inland Seas Education Association: Michigan-based peer providing shipboard learning programs aboard a tall ship for youth STEM education. CYCF partners with ISEA to deliver STEM Cruises, sharing a similar mission of maritime education for underserved youth.
• Chicago Maritime School: Chicago-based maritime training provider offering line handling, firefighting, CPR, and boat operations training. CYCF partners with CMS for Maritime Academy programs, making them a direct collaborator in maritime workforce development.
• Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation: Direct peer in Chicago-area adaptive sailing education for youth with disabilities. CYCF partners with JGASF for Judd's Camp at Burnham Harbor, making them both providers of inclusive sailing experiences in the same metro.

Others

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Major youth development nonprofit serving nearly 20,000 Chicago youth. CYCF partners with BGCC for after-school STEAM and sailing programs, making them a key community-partner customer rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Large national nonprofit providing outdoor education and leadership development for youth. Comparable as a broader outdoor/maritime-style experiential education platform with established fundraising scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chicago-yacht-club-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Chicago Yacht Club Foundation