chicago yacht club foundation

The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation exists to bring the joys and benefits of boating to all, with primary focus on youth from underrepresented communities.

Through our nautical education programs , grants & scholarships , and partnerships , the Chicago Yacht Club foundation produces a robust set of on- and off-the water programs that serve this mission, and provides resources for those in Chicagoland and elsewhere who wish to continue beyond what the Foundation offers.

We invite you to learn more and support our efforts .

Chicago Yacht Club asks all participants to consider making a generous donation to one or more of our designated charities or become a benefactor by making a Medal Level Donation . Each of our designated charities makes a difference in the lives of Chicago’s children, each in different ways.

CHARITABLE PARTNERS

Chicago yacht club foundation.

The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is a charitable organization that exists to bring the joys and benefits of boating to all, with a primary focus on youth from underrepresented communities.   Thro ugh our  nautical education programs ,  grants & scholarships , and  support to other organizations  which share our mission, the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation has a robust set of on- and off-the-water programs that serve this mission in Chicagoland, and provide resources for those in Chicagoland and elsewhere who wish to continue beyond what the Foundation offers. Learn more about what we do, and support the Foundation at 

www.chicagoyachtclubfoundation.org .

This year, the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation has begun to support the development of community sailing immersion programs – opportunities for underrepresented kids to attend sailing school programs in the Chicago area. In 2022, the Foundation is serving as the Platinum Sponsor for the Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation’s Open Horizons program, which makes sailing school classes available to more than 200 kids in the South Shore and Englewood neighborhoods. Additionally, the Foundation – in partnership with the Chicago Yacht Club – launched the First Annual SOS Illinois Sailing Camp, which is an exclusive sailing experience from kids from SOS Illinois Villages Illinois, one of the three charitable partners associated with the Chicago Regatta. In 2023, the Foundation will use all funds raised from the Chicago Regatta this year to expand on these community sailing immersion programs.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF METRO CHICAGO

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago (BBBS) is an affiliate of the oldest, most respected mentoring organization in the US. BBBS, which is 100% free to youth and families, makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”) from age seven through high school graduation across four counties in Metro Chicago: Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties in Illinois and Indiana.

By engaging with historically marginalized communities, BBBS provides equitable access through exposure to new mentoring relationships, experiences, and opportunities. Their programming fosters behavior modeling, educational achievement, and social emotional learning, all of which are critical to a child’s development and future promise. BBBS programs are proven to keep kids in school, out of trouble and on the path to post-graduate success. Learn more and get involved at bbbschgo.org.

Thousands of kids across Chicagoland are waiting for a mentor. Choosing which one to help, that shouldn’t be an option. That’s why BBBS is committed to ultimately doubling the number of youth they serve annually and transforming communities through the power of one-to-one mentoring.

No one organization, family or adult can take on all the challenges facing our kids today. But we know mentoring works. Big Brothers Big Sisters has a proven solution to help Chicagoland youth stay on the path to a successful future. Your support allows them to make more matches between caring, committed adult volunteers and children waiting for a mentor than ever before.

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES ILLINOIS

SOS Children's Villages Illinois offers an innovative approach to traditional foster care. Their model of care gives children the opportunity to live in a nurturing, stable, single-family home with their brothers and sisters in the care of a full-time, professionally trained Foster Parent in one of the Villages. Children benefit from the stability of remaining with their siblings as well as the support of neighboring SOS Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community.

The kind and generous funds from the Chicago Regatta helps SOS Children’s Villages Illinois at a most crucial time to support the needed educational and emotional needs of the children in our care. This level of support significantly aids our efforts to address many of the educational gaps that occurred during the pandemic.

In addition, this gift allows us to enrich clinical services for the children and families to find security and stability to keep their lives moving forward. SOS Illinois is most grateful to the Chicago Regatta Committee for all the resources they provide to children in need and for being a consistent beacon of hope to many.

Chicago Yacht Club

Stories from the Chicago Yacht Club

400 East Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603-6403 (312) 861-7777

Website: www.chicagoyachtclub.org

Organized in 1875 in the City of Chicago as an association of 37 yachtsmen, the Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest clubs in the United States. Known for their committment to promoting the sport of sailing, the club is host to the venerable Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. CYC is also a leader in teaching children and adults to sail, having provided sailing lessons for over 85 years.

CHICAGO YACHT CLUB  BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER

From the commodore:.

“The Chicago Yacht Club membership is proud to become a founding member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. Since 1875 our Club has embraced an aggressive racing program, which today includes an average of 100 regattas annually. From our very active junior sailing program to our signature regatta - the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac - our focus is on supporting and growing the sport of sailing. We could not be more pleased to support the Hall of Fame in its effort to honor the achievements of American sailors.”

Joseph S. Haas, Commodore

In 1898 the club hosted the first Chicago-Mackinac Race as an informal contest between five boats. William Cameron's 64' fin-keel sloop Vanenna one the race with a time of 51 hours. The 289.4 nautical mile race is now one of the oldest annual freshwater distance races in the world, with more than 355 boats entered and approximately 3,500 crew participating.

Racers who compete in 25 Mackinac Races are invited to join the exclusive "Island Goats Sailing Society," originally named for the sailors' appearance, aroma and behavior upon reaching Mackinac Island.

A dynamic web version of this timeline is available by clicking here.

1875 The Chicago Yacht Club was organized at the Sherman House in the City of Chicago on the evening of August 7, 1875 as an association with a membership of 37 men. The first officers were John Prindiville (pictured),Commodore; T.M. Bradley, Vice Commodore; William F. Higgie, Rear Commodore; C.E. Kremer, Secretary; and F.W.S. Brawley, Treasurer. The first year book for the season of 1875-76 lists the names of the fifty charter members. The initiation fee was $5 and the annual dues $4, payable semi-annually.

1882 On January 9, 1882, the Club was issued its Certificate of Incorporation under the laws of Illinois. As the Certificate stated, the formation of Chicago Yacht Club was to encourage and promote the sport of yacht sailing and building.

1900 In 1900 with membership numbering 125 and a fleet of 28 yachts, the club obtained the Argo Clubhouse, a 35 x 55 foot boathouse located at the end of the Illinois Central pier #3 at the foot of Randolph Street. It had been the former home of a group of yachtsmen called the Argonauts- a small group of socially oriented yachtsmen. Their yacht, the Argo, had been used in 1893 to carry their guests to the World’s Columbian Exposition held where Jackson Park harbor is today.

1902 A new clubhouse, initiated by Commodore George Warrington, at the foot of Monroe Street, on pilings in the lake, was formally opened on June 28, 1902.

1911 Commodore Baum’s Amorita establishes elapsed time record for the Mackinac race which stood for 76 years.

1920 Chicago Yacht Club and the Lincoln Park Yacht Club combined.

1923 In 1923, the barge and clubhouse at Belmont Harbor replaces the lumber schooner Carrier that had served as the Lincoln Park Yacht Club clubhouse since 1915. Carrier, a 177-ton canaler, was built in Michigan in 1865. In 1923, she sank off Evanston while being towed to Waukegan. Her large wheel has been preserved at the Belmont Station and a mural shows Carrier when she was our Club ship. Our race committee crafts have all been named Carrier in her honor.

1925 Monroe St. Clubhouse moved to the present site to make room for the outer drive's construction.

1930 The depression of the 1930’s put an end to the elaborate plans for the $3,000,000 eight story clubhouse at Chicago Harbor.

1935 The second Chicago Harbor Clubhouse, which had been a display called "The House of Tomorrow" at the Century of Progress Exhibition, was moved to the site in 1935 as a temporary building.

1955 Construction of the first section of the present Monroe St. Clubhouse

1975 1975 marked the celebration of the Club’s 100 year Anniversary and a new high in activity for the Club. Countless hours of effort by hundreds of loyal members went into the celebration. Recognition flowed from many sources including Illinois Governor Walker, Chicago Mayor Daley and President Gerald Ford. The latter two even enjoyed dinner at the Chicago Yacht Club.

1985 Chicago Yacht Club participates in sponsorship of Heart of America of America’s Cup.

1992 Chicago Yacht Club Foundation was founded by then-Commodore Joseph Wright, Jr., Kurt Stocker, and Dick Wharton. A member can now give something back to the community while supporting the Club’s nautical educational activities.

1998 CYC celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the first Race to Mackinac. The multihull record in the Race to Mackinac is established at 18 hours 50 minutes and 32 seconds by Steve Fossett on Stars and Stripes; the catamaran previously sailed by Dennis Conner in the Americas Cup.

2004 Belmont Station barge is relocated to the south east end of the Belmont Harbor.

2005 Chicago Yacht Club adds new Sailing Activities Center barge adjacent to Belmont Station.

2008 2008 marked the 100th running of the "Mac Race," with a record entry of 460 boats and 100% of the fleet was tracked by GPS transponder.

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Executive Director - Chicago Yacht Club Foundation

The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on bringing the joys and benefits of boating to Chicagoland youth, with a primary focus on underrepresented communities. Two years ago, the Foundation minted a new strategic plan, calling for the rapid growth of the organization and a meaningful positive impact on the lives of thousands of Chicagoland youth. To that end, the Foundation aims to engage in four key activities.

• Introduction of boating to thousands of Chicago youth each year;
• Induction of interested youth by exposing them to meaningful programming designed to teach them about boating and related skills;
• Development of our youth who are interested in furthering their boating knowledge; and
• Inspiration of our youth by exposing them to role models and offering them scholarship opportunities to enhance their lives.

In the past two years, the Foundation has dramatically expanded its programming in all four of these areas, thanks to the support of our new professional Program Manager and the support of over 300 donors. Now, the Foundation is ready to continue its rapid growth by hiring its inaugural Executive Director. This role will require a strong visionary leader who shares our vision and passion for exposing youth to our sport, and who is prepared to bring their knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm to Chicago and lead the Foundation’s efforts in the future.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Develop and increase a series of programs designed to introduce large numbers of Chicagoland’s children to boating, both on the lakefront at Chicago Yacht Club’s facilities at Monroe and Belmont Harbors. In particular, the successful candidate will lead a new collaboration between the Chicago Yacht Club and the Foundation to build a community sailing program in Chicago’s downtown Monroe Harbor and will play a leading role in overseeing a fleet of keelboats and associated programs.

• Launch a new initiative to build high school sailing teams in underserved high schools in Chicagoland.
• Develop and increase a series of programs designed to develop boating skills in Chicagoland youth from underserved areas and groups, including support of the Sea Scout Ship Privateer.
• Develop and increase a series of community engagement programs, designed to provide interested Chicagoland kids the opportunity to learn about boating in a series of intensive multi-day camps in Chicago and elsewhere around the Great Lakes.
• Assist in marketing, including building out of the Foundation’s social media presence and curation of the Foundation’s website and photo galleries.
• Assist in developing strategic relationships with community partners, including various social service agencies and schools.
• Play an active role in the Foundation’s fundraising efforts and lead the development of new revenue streams, including grants.
• Work closely with the Foundation’s partner, the Chicago Yacht Club, to manage a number of joint ventures and initiatives.
• Oversee the Foundation’s Competition Fund, designed to support high level sailors from the Chicagoland area on the national and world stage.
• Administer the Foundation's new InSPIRE scholarship program, which provides college and trade school scholarships to youth who have participated in Foundation programs.
• Supervise employees and contractors of the Foundation.
• Establish and maintain a strong relationship with the Board of Directors, allowing for a strong partnership and effective governance.

The successful candidate will have a strong interest in boating and community outreach, will excel in working collaboratively with many different groups of stakeholders, including volunteers, community partners, Club members, and Foundation donors, and enjoy developing creative and innovative solutions. S trong team leadership, communication, organizational skills, and an ability to connect with and mentor youth sailors is required. Must be physically fit and able to participate in on-the-water activities. Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and during peak sailing season.

Previous experience in sailing instruction and program management is required. Certification from a recognized sailing association is preferred. Examples include US Sailing Small Boat Level 1 preferred Level 3 or international equivalent, SafeSport, CPR and First Aid , NASBLA Safe Powerboat Handling or equivalent.

Some travel via car within the Chicago metropolitan area will be required, and candidates should have a valid driver’s license and a car. Prior experience in youth education, sailing education, development of community sailing programs, STEM education, marketing, and fundraising is preferred.

Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience. This is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to make a difference, while having maximum license for creativity and innovation. We encourage you to visit www.chicagoyachtclubfoundation.org to learn more about the Foundation.

The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. Individuals of all genders, individuals from traditionally underrepresented populations, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

To be considered for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter. Materials should be submitted via e-mail and be addressed to:

Francesca Sigmond

Program Manager

Chicago Yacht Club Foundation

400 East Monroe Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

[email protected]

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please apply no later than April 1, 2024 to receive full consideration .

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YOUR HOME ON THE WATER

Chicago yacht club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world., a day of racing on lake michigan, a summer lunch on the patio, a party with friends. as a member, the chicago yacht club is yours. how do you want to be a part of it, start them young get your kids or grandkids on the water. we offer sailing programs just for kids. you never know, they just might inspire a lifetime of love for the water., learn the basics of boating, and then make plans to set sail. or compete in a race, and enjoy the adrenaline rush. the on-the-water team has opportunities for boaters with all levels of experience., chicago yacht club foundation, bringing the joys of boating to all, especially youth from underrepresented communities. through our nautical education programs, grants & scholarships, and support from other organizations, the foundation has a robust set of on- and off-the-water programs..

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ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT

All of the organizations listed below are not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting boating in the chicago area. these organizations benefit from the donations you make to nautical donations, inc., chicago maritime society.

The Chicago Maritime Museum parabolan aims to be recognized as a leading authority on waterways and their significance to Chicago and the world in the past, present and future.

Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation

The JGASF helps the disabled and disadvantaged to achieve self-esteem and independence through sailing. Its mission is realized through a public/private partnership with the Chicago Park District.

Sea Scouts Chicago Area Council #118

The Sea Scouts program goes back to the beginning of the century and provides adventure, training and events for young men and women interested in sailing and the sea.

Chicago Yacht Club Foundation

With over 135 years of experience and a variety of services, the Chicago Yacht Club advances our community’s knowledge, proficiency, and enjoyment of the nautical arts.

Columbia’s Chester Kuttner Foundation

Since 1892, Columbia Yacht Club has been celebrated as the club that fosters a deep sense of pride and camaraderie among its members, officers, and staff.

Nautical Donations, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) exempt service.