Erie Yacht Club Foundation

The Erie Yacht Club Foundation was established in 2009 to support philanthropic maritime-related programs for the benefit of the Erie community. We strive to enhance the Erie community by advancing maritime education, promoting youth and intercollegiate sailing, and expanding opportunities in boating. We achieve these goals through our grant making programs which is funded by Erie Gives, our annual fundraiser known as the Boathouse Party and income from the endowment.

In 2025, grants totaling over $41,000 were made to several organizations. Included were grants to the following organizations:

• At the Lake Ministries for hull refurbishment to the P/V Jo Ann M which provides boating opportunities for persons with disabilities


• Bayfront Maritime Center for its community sailing program


• Behrend Sailing Club for intercollegiate
  sailing expenses and for lunch for the Battle of
  Lake Erie regatta participants, staff and volunteers


• Camp Fitch for the purchase of a sailboat for its summer watersport program


• Flagship Niagara League/Lettie G. Howard for transmission repairs for the Lettie G. Howard


• Mercyhurst University Sailing Club for
  intercollegiate sailing expenses


• Regional Science Consortium for its navigational buoy program


• Reyburn Sailing School for instructor costs and sail repair


• United Way for scholarships to the Reyburn
  Sailing School for Strong Vincent Middle School and Harding Elementary School students

Continued community support will enable the Foundation to support these and other meaningful projects into the future.