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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 in different ways.
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CHARITABLE PARTNERS
Now in its 35th year, the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation continues to expand access to boating for youth from underrepresented communities, fostering confidence, connection, and opportunity. CYCF’s year-round programs are structured around progressive stages that spark curiosity, build familiarity and confidence, develop technical and leadership skills, and open doors to future opportunities on and off the water.
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Introduction powerboat and sailboat cruises offer youth new ways to enjoy Lake Michigan by providing access to previously unexplored spaces, creating memorable experiences on the water, and sparking curiosity through STEAM programming. During the offseason, marine-themed after-school activities bring boating to life for students aged 10 to 18 at community partner sites citywide.
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Induction programs feature multi-day camps such as Adventure Boating, Monroe Community Sailing, and Swim School, and are designed to build familiarity through repeated, hands-on time in and on the water. These tuition-free activities create deeper engagement with water sports and foster a sense of belonging in the boating world.
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Development initiatives provide equitable opportunities and financial support for youth to build technical skills on and off the water through structured learning experiences, such as Sailing School, Lead HER Ship's immersive sailing voyage, and City Sailing League's after-school sailing club. Participants develop independence, leadership, and the confidence to take the helm—both literally and figuratively.
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Inspiration programs–the Competition Fund and InSPIRE Scholarships support youth pursuing competitive sailing and postsecondary education by reducing financial barriers and expanding access to opportunities beyond the water.
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The Foundation enriches the lives of Chicago’s youth and strives to build a more inclusive sailing community—one that thrives by engaging the next generation and strengthening the future of the sport.
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.
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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.
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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.
One Family Illinois (formerly 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 One Family Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community.
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The kind and generous funds from the Chicago Regatta helps One Family Illinois at a most crucial time to support the 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. One Family 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.