Support Boat For Sail
Help us give sailing away — free, for everyone, for good.
Boat For Sail keeps its programs 100% free: free lessons, free videos, free boat plans, and a shared fleet. Free isn’t free to run, though — boats, epoxy and materials, safety gear, insurance, and the work of building the curriculum all cost money. Your support is what keeps the water open to everyone.
We’re not collecting donations just yet. Boat For Sail is an Illinois nonprofit in formation — 501(c)(3) status pending. Until the IRS determination is granted, we’re holding off on soliciting gifts so that when you do give, it’s to a fully-recognized public charity and — where the law allows — tax-deductible. Want to be first in line? Tell us you’re interested and we’ll reach out the moment giving opens.
Ways your support will help
When giving opens, here’s what it makes possible. (These tiers are a preview — final amounts and naming to be confirmed by the board.)
| Gift | What it does |
|---|---|
| A splash (any amount) | Fuels the free curriculum, videos, and safety gear |
| Repair kit — ~$25 | The cost target for any fix to a 180 — sponsor a season of repairs |
| Sponsor materials — ~$450 | A full plywood build kit — puts a DIY boat in someone’s hands |
| Sponsor a 180 — ~$1,000 | An at-cost molded fleet boat for a school or club |
| Launch a fleet — ~$5,000 | ~5 boats — enough to start a program at one campus or community |
Boat For Sail passes materials through at cost and gives the plans, mold, and curriculum away free — so nearly every dollar goes straight onto the water.
Help right now — no wallet required
Giving money isn’t the only way, and it isn’t even open yet. These matter just as much today:
🤝 Take someone sailing
Experienced sailors are our most valuable resource. Become a host and put a new sailor on the water.
🛠️ Build or design
Boatbuilders, engineers, tinkerers — help refine and build the 180.
🎬 Make a video
Film, edit, narrate, or teach on camera for the free video library.
📣 Spread the word
Tell a school, a club, a family. Share boatforsail.org. The best fuel for a give-it-away mission is more people who know it exists.
Business, club, or supplier?
Boat For Sail is building a network of at-cost material partnerships (epoxy, glass, hardware, sailcloth) and university & community programs. If your organization wants to sponsor materials, host a fleet, or partner on the boat, we’d love to talk — reach out below.
Be first to give
Want to support us the day donations open? Drop us a note and we’ll let you know the moment our 501(c)(3) is granted and giving goes live.
Email: hello@boatforsail.org