Pride of Baltimore, Inc.

What Pride of Baltimore, Inc. does

Pride of Baltimore, Inc. is a Maryland-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II, a reproduction Baltimore Clipper topsail schooner designed by naval architect Thomas Gillmer and commissioned on October 23, 1988. The vessel was constructed using traditional methods with Central American hardwoods and is approximately 50% larger by volume than the original Pride, which sank in 1986. The ship features modern safety and navigation systems including six watertight bulkheads, radar, GPS, AIS, electronic chart backups, and Starlink satellite communications; a 2026 refit replaced the original Caterpillar engines with twin Cummins diesel engines extending under-power range beyond 1,200 nautical miles.

The organization serves four primary customer segments: tourists and general public visitors (over 100,000 annually engaging in deck tours at $55/adult and $25/child day sails); school groups participating in the STEM+H education program aligned with Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum; corporate event planners booking private charters (up to 32 passengers) and dockside receptions (up to 100 guests); and sailing enthusiasts participating in overnight guest crew passages priced from $399 to $1,650 per leg. The vessel is staffed by 12 professional crew (captain, ship's cook, two mates, bosun, engineer, and six deckhands) plus three administrative staff, under Executive Director and Senior Captain Jan Miles.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining ticket sales, private charters, merchandise (including Amazon Associates-affiliated book sales), corporate sponsorships (notably the America 250 Title Sponsorship program), individual donations structured across multiple vehicles (monthly giving via the Privateer Society, planned giving, donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, and matching gifts), and grants from state agencies and foundations. The organization has sailed over 275,000 nautical miles to more than 200 ports across 40 countries since 1988, and participates in major maritime events including Sail250, Sail Boston, and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail programming with Fort McHenry.

Name

Pride of Baltimore, Inc.

Legal name

Pride of Baltimore, Inc.

Website

https://pride2.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pride of Baltimore, Inc. is a Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II, delivering maritime heritage education, tourism experiences, corporate charters, and STEM+H programming to over 100,000 annual visitors across U.S. and international ports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Heritage Tourism and Sail Training

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Museums (71211)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Themed & Special-Interest Ocean Cruise Lines (THAEAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate & Event Cruise Charters (MICE/Buyouts) (THAEAEAE), Private Yacht & Luxury Boat Charters (With Crew) (THAJALAE)

Keywords

• Maritime heritage tourism
• Tall ship experiences
• Sail training programs
• Experiential education programs
• Historic vessel charters

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Visitor Experiences: Revenue from deck tours, day sails, and guest crew overnight sailing experiences. The ship welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually for these paid experiences.
2. Charter & Reception Bookings: Private sailing charters (up to 32 passengers underway) and dockside receptions (up to 100 guests) booked for corporate events, networking, team-building, weddings, and special occasions. Two-hour charters recommended.
3. Individual Donations: One-time donations, monthly giving through Privateer Society, matching gifts, and donor-advised fund contributions from individual supporters.
4. Planned Giving & Legacy Gifts: Bequests in wills, beneficiary designations from retirement accounts and insurance policies, and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs for donors 70½ or older.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages including America 250 Title Sponsorships offering high-visibility recognition, private sails, receptions, and employee engagement opportunities.
6. Merchandise Sales: Ship store selling Pride of Baltimore merchandise including the Pride of the Sea book through Amazon Associates program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pride of Baltimore, Inc. operates and sails the historic topsail schooner Pride of Baltimore II as Maryland's goodwill ambassador, offering paid deck tours, day sails, overnight guest crew passages, private charters and dockside receptions, and a STEM+H education program. The organization functions as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supplementing ticket and charter revenue with individual donations, monthly giving, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants.

Product overview

Pride of Baltimore, Inc. operates Pride of Baltimore II, a historically-accurate reproduction Baltimore Clipper topsail schooner launched in 1988. The organization offers a portfolio of experiential products centered around this sailing vessel: deck tours, day sails, and overnight guest crew experiences provide hands-on maritime education; charters and receptions offer unique event venues; and formal STEM+H education programs serve students. The organization also conducts special events hosting (including Sailabration and Sail250 commemorations), documentary filmmaking through the Legacy in Motion program, and fundraising through various donation programs including America 250 sponsorships, monthly giving, and planned bequests.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pride of Baltimore II (Sailing Vessel and Brand Ambassador Program) Authentic Baltimore Clipper topsail schooner replica serving as Maryland's goodwill ambassador, hosting deck tours, day sails, guest crew passages, charters, education programs, and festivals in ports worldwide; promoted for individual ticket buyers, corporate events, school groups, and maritime heritage enthusiasts.
• Deck Tours & Day Sails Guided deck tours and half-day or full-day sailing experiences aboard Pride of Baltimore II exploring Baltimore's maritime heritage; priced at $55 adult and $25 child 12 and under. Audience: individual tourists, families, and local visitors at port stops.
• Guest Crew Passages Multi-leg overnight sailing voyages priced $399 to $1,650 per leg where participants work alongside professional crew, stand watch, steer the vessel, and assist with maintenance; up to six guest crew members accommodated in three passenger cabins. Audience: experienced amateur sailors and adventure travelers.
• Private Sailing Charters and Dockside Receptions Private charter of Pride of Baltimore II for up to 32 passengers underway or up to 100 guests dockside; recommended two-hour charter duration; caters to corporate events, networking, team-building, weddings, and milestone celebrations. Audience: corporate event planners and private hosts.
• STEM+H Education Program "Pride on the Chesapeake" Half-day (2-4 hour) experiential education program under sail for 30 participants (expandable to 60 through partnerships) serving 6th through 10th graders; aligned with Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum covering War of 1812, privateer sailors, Chesapeake Bay history, and STEM problem-solving. Audience: Maryland middle-school teachers and program coordinators.
• Privateer History Educational Display 16-unit educational display exploring the role of Baltimore-based privateers in the War of 1812, the vessels they commanded, their captains, and the risks and rewards of privateering as a business. Audience: general visitors, schools, and maritime history enthusiasts.
• America 250 Title Sponsorships Corporate sponsorship packages aligned with the Sail250 celebration and America's 250th anniversary, offering high-visibility recognition, private sails, receptions, and employee engagement opportunities. Audience: corporate marketing, brand, and CSR teams.
• America's Star-Spangled Ambassador: Legacy in Motion Documentary Program Multi-format documentary and storytelling initiative capturing the Sail250 voyage through film, photography, writing, audio, and social media, involving collaborating filmmakers, historians, journalists, and university students. Audience: general public, donors, and educational partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 visitors welcomed annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Old Line Spirits (Case 1 Rum)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Limited-edition collaboration releasing Case 1 Rum celebrating Pride's Sail250 season and America's 250th anniversary.
• Justin Black (Documentary Filmmaker)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Documentary filmmaker joining voyage south to Virginia to capture life aboard Pride and explore waterways.
• Andrew J. Lyter (Maritime Historian)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Maritime historian participating in Legacy in Motion program documenting Sail250 voyage.
• Towson UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026University partner with student Zoe H. participating in Legacy in Motion documentary program.
• WYPRminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Public radio station producing content documenting return voyage from Norfolk to Baltimore.
• Alexandria Seaport FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Maritime workforce development organization with apprentices joining portions of the voyage.
• Rafael Alvarez (Author/Screenwriter)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Acclaimed author and screenwriter providing perspective during voyage north to New York.
• Kate Livie (Public Historian)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Public historian bringing unique perspective during voyage north to New York.
• Stevenson UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026University with student Anjali J. documenting voyage to Boston as next generation storyteller.
• Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerState agency providing operational and promotional support for Pride of Baltimore II as Maryland's sailing ambassador and goodwill vessel for the Port of Baltimore.
• City of BaltimorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOriginal creator and ongoing supporter of Pride program; Pride II serves as ambassador for the city representing Baltimore's maritime heritage.
• Baltimore National Heritage AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting educational programming and preservation of Baltimore's maritime heritage and War of 1812 history.
• Maryland Heritage Areas AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState authority providing grant funding for heritage programming and the privateer history educational display.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and Fort McHenry National Monument for educational programming.
• Tall Ships AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization supporting tall ship sailing and training; provides crew billet listings and coordinates tall ship festivals.
• Visit BaltimorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBaltimore's destination marketing organization promoting Pride II as a tourism asset for the city.
• Association of Maryland PilotsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaritime professional organization providing navigational expertise and support for Pride's sailing operations.
• Propeller Club of BaltimoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional maritime organization supporting Baltimore's port community and maritime heritage.
• Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic ShrinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational park site partnering for educational programs and joint events celebrating War of 1812 history and Baltimore's maritime heritage.
• Eastport Yacht ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal yacht club community partner supporting Pride's visits and sailing events in Annapolis area.
• Maryland Center for History and CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical society providing archival support and historical context for Pride's educational programming.
• Maryland Humanities CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanities organization supporting educational and cultural programming aboard Pride.
• Fort McHenry Guard and Fife and Drum CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical reenactment group providing ceremonial support at Pride memorial rededication.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey: Massachusetts-based historic schooner operated as a sail training vessel and cultural ambassador; closely comparable model combining paid passenger experiences, education, and nonprofit stewardship.
• A.J. Meerwald (Delaware Bay Schooner Project): New Jersey oyster dredging schooner operated as a sailing classroom for school groups and public sails — directly analogous school and adult programming model.
• Spirit of South Carolina: Charleston-based tall ship with overnight passages, day sails, and educational youth programming; closely comparable in vessel class and program structure.
• SSV Oliver Hazard Perry: Providence-based nonprofit operating a tall ship with sail training programs, school excursions, and ticketed public sails — directly overlapping in revenue mix and mission.
• Schooner Lady Washington: Washington State tall ship replica offering public sails, educational programs, and dockside events; comparable nonprofit operating model and revenue mix to Pride.
• Californian (San Diego Maritime Museum): Tall ship replica operated by a maritime museum for sail training and public sail experiences; comparable model combining museum/institution partnership with sailing operations.
• Clearwater (Hudson River Sloop Clearwater): Historic sloop operated as a nonprofit sailing classroom with environmental education; comparable education-first nonprofit tall-ship model in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast.
• Schooner S/V Denis Sullivan (Wisconsin Maritime Center): Replica Great Lakes schooner operated by a 501(c)(3) with similar sail-training, public day sails, and education mission. Direct operational analog on the inland-water side.
• Schooner Roseway: Boston-based 1925 schooner with day sails, overnight guest crew, and education programs; employs similar crew-of-12 model and serves comparable East Coast sailing experience market.

Regional players

• Historic Ships in Baltimore: Baltimore's sister maritime heritage organization operating USS Constellation, USCGC Taney, and submarine Torsk; directly comparable Baltimore tourism and education adjacency with shared historical narrative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/prideofbalt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PRIDEOFBALTIMOREII
• Facebookfacebook.com/prideII
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pride-of-baltimore-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/prideofbaltimore

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pride of Baltimore, Inc.