Sailor's Manifesto

What Sailor's Manifesto does

Sailor's Manifesto is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides community-based mental health education and suicide prevention programming for veterans through facilitated group sessions integrated with experiential sailing. Founded in 2026 by Army combat veteran Sue Fisher, the organization operates exclusively in West Michigan and is governed by a volunteer board drawn from all branches of military service plus veteran spouse representation. Its structured four-part program portfolio includes Veteran Sailing Experiences, Women's Sailing Retreats, Resilience Training, Sailing Classes, Corporate Wellness Sailing, public Day/Sunset Charters, Wellness and Trauma-Informed Workshops, and Recovery Support/Suicide Prevention services, alongside a proprietary 33-day guided journal and a military-style challenge coin. The organization explicitly does not provide clinical treatment or diagnosis and operates solely for charitable and educational purposes.

The business model is donation-driven and volunteer-led, with all veteran services provided at no cost to participants. Revenue is generated from public donations (accepted via Venmo and other channels) and a small fee-based stream from corporate wellness programs and public charters, the proceeds of which subsidize the free veteran programming. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth within veteran networks, partnerships with veteran service organizations, presence at veteran leadership summits, and direct contact via the organization's website, email, and phone. The technology stack is minimal: no proprietary platform, app, or API exists, and distribution is purely direct through in-person facilitated sessions on West Michigan waters. Brand credibility is anchored by recognition from U.S. Senator Gary Peters at a Grand Rapids veteran-benefits event, alongside named veteran testimonials documenting outcomes related to PTSD, MST, and post-traumatic growth.

Name

Sailor's Manifesto

Legal name

Sailor's Manifesto

Website

https://sailorsmanifesto.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2026

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Sailor's Manifesto is a West Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2026 by Army combat veteran Sue Fisher that delivers free, community-based suicide prevention and mental health programming for veterans through facilitated group sessions integrated with experiential sailing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Mental Health Services

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Educational Cruises & Shipboard Learning Programs (THAKAGAM)

Keywords

• Veteran mental health programs
• Suicide prevention services
• Therapeutic sailing programs
• Trauma-informed peer support
• Veteran wellness retreats

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Sailor's Manifesto relies on donations from the public and community supporters. The organization accepts donations via Venmo and likely through other charitable giving channels. Donations help make sailing experiences accessible to veterans at no cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sailor's Manifesto provides sailing-based mental health education and suicide prevention programs for veterans. The organization delivers structured four-part guided group programming that combines trauma-informed facilitation, holistic wellness practices (yoga, Reiki, meditation, acupressure), and experiential sailing on West Michigan waters. All veteran services are provided at no cost, with supplemental revenue from public charters and corporate wellness programs.

Product overview

Sailor's Manifesto is a veteran-focused nonprofit organization offering a structured four-part program centered on mental health education, peer support, and experiential learning. The core portfolio includes Veteran Sailing Experiences, Women's Sailing Retreats, Resilience Training, Sailing Classes, Corporate Wellness Sailing, Day/Sunset Charters, Wellness & Trauma-Informed Workshops, Recovery Support/Suicide Prevention programs, and the Sailor's Manifesto Journal & Challenge Coin. All services are provided at no cost to veteran participants, with sailing incorporated as an experiential component within a trauma-informed approach. The organization does not provide clinical treatment or diagnosis and operates solely for charitable and educational purposes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Veteran Sailing Experiences Adaptive sailing experiences designed for veterans dealing with PTSD, MST, and other service-related challenges using a trauma-informed approach that creates safe spaces for healing. Provided at no cost to veteran participants.
• Women's Sailing Retreats
• Resilience Training
• Sailing Classes
• Corporate Wellness Sailing
• Day/Sunset Charters
• Wellness & Trauma-Informed Workshops
• Recovery Support/Suicide Prevention
• Sailor's Manifesto Journal & Challenge Coin

Quantifiable outcome

• All services provided at no cost to participants, removing financial barriers to access

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• American Legion Boat and Canoe ClubminorOthersVenue partner for community events. The American Legion Boat and Canoe Club in Grand Rapids, MI served as the location for U.S. Senator Gary Peters' event highlighting veteran benefits and Sailor's Manifesto's work. Provides physical location for community gatherings and events supporting veteran programs.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Sail Beyond Cancer: A nonprofit that uses sailing experiences to support individuals and families facing cancer. Same experiential-sailing-as-therapy model, same volunteer-led nonprofit structure, but serving a different beneficiary population (oncology patients rather than veterans).
• Heroes on the Water: A 501(c)(3) that uses kayaking and fishing as no-cost therapeutic outlets for veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families. Directly comparable operating model (volunteer-led nonprofit, experiential outdoor therapy, free to veterans, peer-support community) — using paddling rather than sailing.
• Warrior Sailing Program: A nonprofit that provides sailing opportunities and instruction to wounded warriors, service members, and veterans. The most direct comparable to Sailor's Manifesto: same sailing-as-therapy model, same veteran target audience, similar experiential curriculum, but operates in multiple U.S. sailing hubs.

Emerging players

• Higher Ground Sun Valley: A nonprofit that uses outdoor recreation and adaptive sports programming (skiing, rafting, etc.) for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Comparable experiential-therapy model for the same veteran population, but uses winter and mountain sports rather than sailing.
• Outdoor Odyssey: A nonprofit that provides outdoor adventure-based programs for youth and veterans, including mental health and resilience programming. Comparable experiential/adventure therapy model with partial overlap in veteran resilience programming rather than veteran sailing specifically.
• Healing Waters Fly Fishing: A nonprofit that uses fly fishing as a therapeutic modality for veterans and military personnel with disabilities, PTSD, and physical injuries. Closely comparable experiential-therapy model for the same veteran population, using fishing rather than sailing as the therapeutic medium.

Broad incumbents

• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): A much larger veteran service organization that builds community through physical and social activities. Broader incumbent in the veteran wellness/comradery space; not sailing-specific, but the same target audience and overlap with experiential wellness programming.
• The Mission Continues: A national veteran service organization focused on veteran reintegration through community service, leadership, and physical activities. Comparable in the veteran community/peer-support space, but anchored in service-volunteerism rather than sailing-based therapy.
• Wounded Warrior Project: A large national veteran service organization with programming spanning physical wellness, mental health, and career support. Represents a scaled, well-funded incumbent in the same veteran mental health and wellness space; Sailor's Manifesto operates at a much smaller, more localized scale.

Others

• Sailors for the Sea: A sailing-focused nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation education. Comparable in the sailing-education nonprofit space, but serves a different mission (environmental conservation rather than veteran mental health); useful as a sector reference for sailing-based nonprofit operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat1 record

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Sailor's Manifesto