Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
The SFNY works on a model of direct expense reimbursement. Athletes or organizations submit a list of qualified expenses followed by receipts. Only after a thorough review are funds disbursed. The SFNY does not pay a per diem, mileage or provide unsubstantiated grants.
The SFNY is a fully independent Foundation. We work with Yacht Clubs throughout the country. At times and when appropriate, the SFNY may coordinate with US Sailing. However, we do not provide funds or other support directly to US Sailing or the US Sailing Foundation.
In general, the SFNY does not directly fund other sailing organizations or foundations.
Typically, the SFNY does not directly solicit donations for athletes with SFNY accounts. Due to a special initiative with a consortium of other organizations, the SFNY is working on raising funds specifically for Project Podium.
The Sailing Foundation of New York, SFNY, is completely different than the NYSF and completely different than the NYHSF (New York Harbor Sailing Foundation) – we are an independent organization. If you send any correspondence, including donations, to any organization outside of the SFNY, we would not be able to receive or process.
Questions from Donors
We accept checks, credit cards, wires and transfers of securities. We do not accept hard assets such as sails, boats or cars.
Absolutely, directed/restricted gifts are commonplace with the SFNY for specific athletes or campaigns active with the SFNY. The SFNY takes donor intent extremely seriously. A donor may restrict their donation to any athlete or organization with an SFNY account at the time of donation.
Here’s what’s important to note: if a donor makes a directed/restricted gift to an athlete or organization that does not have an SFNY account, those funds are held in Unrestricted until the athlete or organization applies for an SFNY account. It is not guaranteed that an account will be accepted specifically because of a donation. If the athlete or organization does not apply for an SFNY account, or is rejected, the donation will remain in Unrestricted. We appreciate your understanding that donations cannot be refunded.
We do not accept in-kind donations. Periodically we do help manage elements of sponsorships for organizations or individual athletes. It is best to check with us beforehand.
The SFNY does not select athletes nor do we generally designate funding. Please keep in mind most funds are already designated for an athlete or campaign by the donor.
When the SFNY provides specific funding for a targeted campaign, collaboration or initiative-based grant, we generally use objective criteria: athletes qualifying for an international event; ex. the 14 athletes who will represent the USA at the Olympics; or the athletes registered for a major international regatta (ex. Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma).
Questions from Potential Athletes
That’s great to hear. Respectfully, your child would not typically qualify for an SFNY account unless they plan to compete in international competition. Please feel free to contact us to understand the framework.
Athlete accounts are reviewed upon receipt and acceptance takes place on a rolling basis. There are no application deadlines for athlete accounts. Application deadlines may exist for specific grant opportunities, and those would be communicated through an organizing body or leadership framework.
Each application is reviewed to first be sure it qualifies under the SFNY 501(c)3 IRS Guidelines and applications are not automatically approved. SFNY guidelines must be followed by applicants, and athletes need to fit into the qualification framework of the SFNY. An approved application does not grant an athlete blanket acceptance with the SFNY. Approved athletes are at all times required to uphold SFNY guidelines provided during the application process to remain active with the SFNY.
Applications are rejected if they are incomplete, the references do not check out, or the athlete/sailing activities do not qualify.
We accept travel, lodging, coaching, meals, foils, sails and additional items such as boat parts discussed with the athlete during the application process. We do not accept expenses for hard assets such as boats.
Donations received and directed to an athlete must be used for the athlete’s activities as outlined on their approved Athlete Account application. Expense reimbursement for items outside of the standard SFNY framework to use up the remainder of funds is not allowed. Funds not used/remaining funds revert to either the SFNY Unrestricted or general Olympic Fund.
Your expenses are not automatically authorized. Each expense report is manually reviewed for policy compliance. You may be asked follow-up questions or be required to provide corroborating documentation. If expenses are declined, you will be contacted for an explanation.
Funds do not move to a new campaign unless so designated by the donor at the completion of your active campaign. It is the responsibility of the athlete to contact the donor, who would then be required to send correspondence to the SFNY with the updated designation. Please understand, we require this for our own due diligence as a 501(c)3 and for IRS compliance.
At the time of the Athlete Application submission and SFNY interview process, athletes must certify they are not being/will not be reimbursed for the same expenses from any other organization. Violation of this policy, aka “double-dipping” requires the return of funds and termination of the SFNY account. While rare, this type of behavior may have the athlete permanently banned from any future SFNY account or funding support. The SFNY does not prohibit an athlete from working with other organizations on expense reimbursement for items not covered by the SFNY.
Project Podium
Project Podium was established in 2024 as a partnership between America One Racing, American Magic, the Schoonmaker Foundation, SFNY and the St. Francis Sailing Foundation. Project Podium is a concentrated effort supporting a select group of athletes with legitimate medal chances at the 2028 Olympic Games in LA.
Project Podium is managed exclusively by America One Racing. Athletes are evaluated and selected under the leadership of Paul Cayard, Bill Ruh and Leandro Spina.
Thanks for your enthusiasm! Let’s start by seeing if it’s a good fit first. Please contact Thomas Stark, SFNY President at TLStark@msn.com to get started.
NYYC Performance Sailing Fund
The NYYC Performance Sailing Fund was established in 2023 by then-Commodore Jay Cross, in accordance with his vision during his tenure as a Flag Officer, with the launch of a committee to determine grants to athletes/organizations. Those grants are administered via an NYYC PSF account at the SFNY. This account receives the same treatment and is subject to the same requirements as any other SFNY account. The SFNY is not involved in committee decisions, activities, funding criteria discussions or athlete agreements. NYYC PSF grants are not SFNY grants.
The SFNY plays no role in the NYYC PSF selection process of funding solicitations. The SFNY serves in a purely administrative capacity, administering NYYC PSF grants in the same manner as all funds are administered.
Athlete Account Application
Interested in raising funds through SFNY?
- Download and complete the application form below
- Email the completed form to TLStark@msn.com with :cc to SFNYcomms@gmail.com
- If you have questions, get in touch here.
Respectfully, donation checks must be made out to the Sailing Foundation of New York in order to be processed. Donation directions should be designated in the memo line.
