Fulfilling Our Mission
The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race works year-round to fulfill its mission to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay’s heritage, encourage preservation of the Bay’s resources, support Chesapeake Bay education and clean-up efforts, bring historic schooners to the Bay and encourage schooner sailing and preservation with a special eye toward the next generation.
To date, GCBSR’s contribution to area non-profits aligned with this mission is over
$375,000!
The Bay Race
Throughout its history, the Bay Race has brought classic vessels and their crews together to share in friendly competition while the public enjoys the sight of these majestic vessels on the Chesapeake Bay. Prior to 2020, the Bay Race was the GCBSR’s primary fundraising event, supporting Educational Sails and area organizations including:
The Virtual Race
The Virtual Race was born in 2020 as a way to continue supporting area non-profits despite having to take a COVID break from the Bay Race. This three-day fundraising event challenges participating vessels to raise money for the organizations they sponsor. Whichever boat raises the most money, wins! And of course, the real winners are the worthy organizations they support.
Vessels Sponsoring Area Non-Profits
Each vessel in the Virtual Race sponsors an area non-profit whose mission aligns with the GCBSR. Follow the links below to see the amounts raised by each vessel and the organizations they sponsored.
GCBSR Vessels with a Special Mission
The Tugantine Norfolk Rebel raises money to support the GCBSR, and specifically, to continue the challenging race that is now in its 35th year. While we celebrate the beauty of these vessels at the dock and underway, it is also a serious 119 nm overnight race with a proud history of Racing to Save the Bay.
The Schooner Woodwind raises money to support Education Sails for students on the Chesapeake Bay. Though many students live near the bay, this program gives most their first experience on the Bay. Whether working together to raise the sails or standing at the helm to steer the boat, students connect with the Chesapeake in a new and powerful way while forming memories that will last a lifetime.
The Schooner Adventurer raises money for Educational Grants distributed annually to applicants who’s activities best align with our mission. Grants may be used to support a wide range of non-profit, education activities with special consideration given to organizations that promote diversity, equity and inclusion in maritime activities and industry.