Applications for 2026 Educational Grants is now closed.
GCBSR is pleased to make grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 available to area non-profits who’s work aligns with our mission. Priority will be given to organizations that:
- Encourage youth and young adult sailing programs including increasing participation in the GCBSR
- Support Chesapeake Bay education and awareness of the Bay’s maritime heritage
- Support environmental and conservation efforts in the Bay
The applications process for 2026 grants are closed, but potential applicants are welcome to review a pdf copy of the application or contact education-va@schoonerrace.org with any questions.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Grant Recipients
Alexandria, VA
Awarded $3000
Alexandria Seaport Foundation
The Alexandria Seaport Foundation (ASF) Apprentice Program serves young adults, primarily those facing barriers to employment such as limited access to training, unstable work histories, or limited exposure to skilled trades and maritime careers.
GCBSR Funds will help to cover fees paid to the World Ocean School for participation and instruction aboard the Denis Sullivan as well as travel expenses to and from the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race.
Baltimore, MD
Awarded $3,000
Downtown Sailing Center
The Downtown Sailing Center is dedicated to creating an inclusive access to the water, with a focus on youth, individuals with disabilities and those with limited opportunities. The Center promotes participation in sailing among individuals that identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
The GCBSR grant will support the Center’s efforts to attract and retain new sailors of color and help provide a pathway for participants to meet their sailing goals.
Washington, DC
Awarded $2,700
National Maritime Heritage Foundation/DC Sail
DC Sail promotes and sustains affordable educational, recreational and competitive sailing programs for all ages in a fun and safe environment.
The GCBSR grant will provide scholarships for the week-long Schooner Camp aboard American Spirit.
Hampton Roads Metro Area
Awarded $1,000
Norfolk Youth Sailing Association
The Norfolk Youth Sailing Association (NYSA) encourages boating and access to the Chesapeake Bay. A core part of NYSA’s mission is expanding access regardless of income. By lowering costs, NYSA opens Chesapeake Bay access to a broader and more diverse group of young people. The GCBSR grant will help with program tuition, staffing and expenses including the purchase and maintenance of essential sailing gear.
Baltimore, MD
Awarded $2,300
Pride of Baltimore
Pride’s mission is to promote historical maritime education, foster economic development and tourism, and represent the people of Maryland in every port she visits. The GCBSR grant will support the participation of two apprentices aboard Pride of Baltimore II for the 2026 Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race.
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and Prince Georges County.
Awarded $1,200
Seafarers Foundation
The Seafarers Foundation is the charitable arm of the Seafarers Yacht Club. The Foundation provide scientific and educational programs to support the children, parents/guardians, seniors and others.
GCBSR funds will support the Summer Youth Programs programs that directly expand underserved youth access to Chesapeake Bay maritime experiences including swim instruction, water safety training, boating experiences and maritime STEM education
Hampton Roads, VA
Awarded $1,000
Special Olympics Sailing Team Area 2
The Special Olympics Sailing Team of South Hampton Roads serves individuals with intellectual disabilities from across the Hampton Roads region. Experienced sailors are paired with athletes to create an inclusive, team-based environment.
The GCBSR grant funds will help with The purchase of safety equipment and practice and regatta supplies.
Yorktown, VA
Awarded $800
Watermen’s Museum
The mission of the Museum is to demonstrate the role Chesapeake Bay Watermen have played in the shaping of our nation.The Museum’s York River Eco-Heritage Stewardship program will allow the Museum to work with the Schooner Alliance to provide programs for 5th grade classes. The program allows the students to further understand and appreciate the ecosystems in their own backyard to promote regional stewardship.
All GCBSR funds will be used to offset the cost of bringing students on board the Schooner Alliance for environmental education programs.
Past Recipients
- Alexandria Seaport Foundation’s $3000 The apprentice program uses woodworking and traditional boatbuilding to teach job skills and positive habits that apprentices need for success in both their work and personal life. The GCBSR grant gave these highly-motivated apprentices the opportunity to participate in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race aboard the schooner, Denis Sullivan.
- The Chesapeake Mermaid $3,000 The Mermaid offers environmental education through programs, books and activities focused on Chesapeake Bay wildlife and habitats. The GCBSR grant helped the Mermaid complete a studio used to produce their recorded programming.
- Living Classrooms Foundation $3,000 The Foundation provides innovative, hands-on learning experiences through education, job training, health and wellness and community-based safety programs. The GCBSR grant gave a diverse group of under-served, academically-oriented students the opportunity to participate in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race aboard Living Classroom’s flagship, Lady Maryland.
- Downtown Sailing Center $2,000 The Center is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and providing access to the water, with a focus on youth, individuals with disabilities and those with limited opportunities. The GCBSR grant supported the Center’s efforts to attract and retain new sailors of color and increase the diversity in skippers and crew.
- Norfolk Youth Sailing Association $1,500 The Association sponsors skill development, varsity interscholastic sailing teams and regattas for students in Norfolk, VA. The GCBSR grant helped the Association continue these efforts.
- Youth Sailing Virginia $1,500 Youth Sailing teaches life skills to high school and middle school youth and their families through sailing programs. The GCBSR grant helped Youth Sailing continue outreach to students in under-represented and under-served populations.
- Pride of Baltimore II $1,000 Pride’s mission is to promote historical maritime education, foster economic development and tourism and represent the people of Maryland in every port she visits. The GCBSP grant helped Pride offer a free, bilingual sail aboard Pride of Baltimore II featuring Spanish interpretation, translated educational materials and hands-on learning about the Chesapeake Bay,
- Alexandria Seaport Foundation: $3,000 The Apprentice Program in Alexandria, VA, serves critically disadvantaged young people, ages 18 to 23, who need direction and support by building skills, self-worth and community. Alexandria Seaport’s curriculum of mentoring, community support and career exploration give the Apprentices the positive environment they need.
- Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB): $2,000 In cooperation with the Annapolis City and Anne Arundel County Police Departments, CRAB hosts a sailing camp where young people from underserved areas and police officers learn to sail. This opportunity helps increase and enhance student life-skills and forges a strong relationships between the police officers and the youth.
- EarthReports, Inc. dba Patuxent Riverkeeper: $2,500 The Nature Camp takes place at the southern end of the Patuxent River Park. Students age 10 to 16 learn practical outdoor skills and citizen science through hands-on activities such as fishing, hiking, orienteering, kayaking, water quality testing and more. Classes are small and focus on developing skills and confidence through their relationship with nature.
- Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop (TWBW): $2,500 TWBW provides after-school and morning boatbuilding sessions throughout the week for youths, ages 12 to 18, Summer Camps for ages 10 to 18, and a Pre-Apprentice program for youth out of school ages 17 to 24. Participants develop life skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, self-confidence, self-esteem, creativity and others. At the conclusion of the program, weather permitting, students get to take the completed boats out on the water to row and sail.
- Downtown Sailing Center, Baltimore, MD: $3,000 Supporting a three-day sail aboard the Skipjack Sigsbee for Baltimore City teenagers participating in the summer Young Mariners program, in which they learn to sail, learn about maritime history and careers, and develop soft job skills.
- Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, Annapolis, MD: $3,000 Supporting the “Emerging Careers in the Maritime Arts & Sciences” program for students in the historically Black beachfront communities in Annapolis and Cambridge.This program integrates classroom activities with water’s edge and on-the-water activities such as meeting Black marine scientists conducting eDNA work, taking field trips to Black historical, cultural and environmental facilities, and learning about career opportunities.
- Severn River Association, Annapolis, MD: $2,000 Supporting Operation Osprey in which middle school students will participate in an inventory of ospreys and osprey nest along the Severn River watershed.
- Nauticus Foundation, Norfolk, VA: $2,000 Sponsoring two educational sails for Norfolk Public Schools middle school students.
- Brendan Sailing, Washington, DC: $1,000 Supporting learn-to-sail programs for students ages 11-18 with learning differences.
- Bluewater Baltimore, Baltimore, MD: $1,000 Supporting the “Raindrops to Rivers” ecoliteracy and engagement educational program.
- 1781 Foundation, Williamsburg, VA: $500 Supporting tours for fourth graders of the Yorktown Tea Party Educational Experience,leading up to Yorktown Maritime Heritage Festival and Tea Party Reenactment.
- Watermen’s Museum, Yorktown, VA: $500 Onsite boatbuilding education programs.
- Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park $500 Skipjack Wilma Lee Push Boat restoration