Annual Report to the Tahoe Maritime Foundation

Grant Amount: $18,000

Program Year: 2024–2025

 

Program Overview

The Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation (PYSF) is pleased to submit this annual report summarizing the impact of the $18,000 grant provided by the Tahoe Maritime Foundation. This vital support supplied essential boats that helped sustain and enhance our high-quality youth sailing program throughout the 2024–2025 program year. It also directly advanced our mission to ensure that sailing remains accessible to all youth in our community.

Organizational Overview and Mission

PYSF’s mission is to provide a comprehensive boating program for youth across the Bay Area, with an emphasis on safety, character development, and community. We strive to cultivate a lifelong love of sailing and to foster stewardship of our waterways, oceans, and global environment.

We achieve this mission by offering robust year-round instruction, dynamic summer camps, and community partnerships that bring youth—many with no prior boating experience—onto the water in a safe, supportive, and structured environment. While PYSF charges program fees, these do not fully cover the operating and capital costs required to maintain a safe fleet and deliver exceptional instruction. Support from individuals, community partners, and grantors like the tahoe maritime foundation is essential to sustaining program quality and expanding access.

Program Reach and Participation

During the 2024–2025 program year, PYSF delivered 134 course sessions, supporting 532 enrollments and 319 unique students—89% of whom were first-time participants. Program offerings ranged from introductory Learn to Sail classes to advanced double-handed instruction, as well as our expanded Adventure Camp program.

Demand from underserved youth continues to grow, reflecting our steadfast commitment to accessibility. PYSF maintains a robust scholarship program and upholds a policy of never turning away a young sailor due to financial need.

  

Use and Impact of the Tahoe Maritime Foundation Support

 

Funds from the grant enabled PYSF to purchase an RS Feva and a C420 for PYSF. These boats allowed us to introduce a new program and expand our existing program.

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New Program

The launch of our new Adventure Camp was made possible by the addition of the new RS Fevas to our fleet in 2025. This program enrolled 60 sailors in its first year, expanding access for youth who are interested in a broader, multi-boat introduction to boating skills and on-water safety. The success of this new offering demonstrates both unmet demand in the community and the impact that additional resources have on PYSF’s ability to serve more students.

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Access and Equity Support

The purchase of both the C420 and the RS Feva helped PYSF to meet the growing demand for the program. PYSF continues to experience growing demand from underserved youth, and our commitment to accessibility—supported by a robust scholarship program and a policy of turning no boater in need away—helped sustain full enrollment across programs. As a nonprofit rooted in community values, PYSF continues to view equitable access to boating safety education as central to our mission.

 

Program Outcomes

Thanks in part to the Tahoe Maritime Foundation’s generous support, PYSF achieved the following outcomes during the 2024–2025 program year:

• Delivered high-quality sailing instruction at both introductory and competitive levels

• Maintained a rigorous safety culture grounded in environmental awareness

• Expanded program offerings to meet increasing community demand

• Increased participation through scholarships and community outreach

• Strengthened partnerships with youth-serving organizations

• Supported a full instructional pathway for young sailors, from beginners to advanced racers

These outcomes reflect the significant, direct impact of the Foundation’s investment in youth development and community enrichment.

 

Conclusion

The Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation is deeply grateful for the Tahoe Maritime Foundation’s generous support. Your investment advances equitable access to sailing, strengthens youth safety education, and fosters environmental stewardship. Most importantly, it helps cultivate young sailors who develop a lifelong love of the sport and a commitment to protecting and respecting our waterways.

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Thank you for partnering with us to empower the next generation of sailors and community leaders.