Co-Hosted by US Sailing & the Annapolis Yacht Club Foundation
About the Sailing Foundation Summit
US Sailing, in collaboration with the Annapolis Yacht Club Foundation, invites you to the inaugural Sailing Foundation Summit— an event that is tailored to foundations whose primary mission is to support sailing, sailors, and their communities through philanthropic leadership.
This conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to support sailors and their communities. With a focus on strategic topics like fundraising, program development, and foundation governance, the Summit will foster thoughtful dialogue and peer-to-peer collaboration. Participants will come away with clear and immediate ideas they can take home and transform into action.
- When: November 21-22, 2025
- Where: Annapolis, Maryland
Supported by our partners Goslings, Sextant Wines, & Risk Strategies!
Agenda
Friday, November 21 | Registration and Happy Hour
Location: Annapolis Yacht Club Sailing Center
510 Severn Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403
4:00 – 5:30 PM | Opening Session + Conversation with Charlie Enright
Join us for an engaging welcome session with US Sailing CEO Charlie Enright who will share insights into what’s ahead for US Sailing and the sport in general.
Saturday, November 22 | Foundation Summit Program
Location: Annapolis Yacht Club Sailing Center
510 Severn Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403
9:30 – 10:00 AM | Sailing Center Open
Coffee will be provided.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Program, more details to come!
A full day of interactive discussions, sharing of best practices, and breakout sessions tailored to address your foundation’s greatest issues and needs.
Speakers will include leaders with extensive experience in establishing and growing sailing foundations from:
- David Rulien with The Sailing Foundation of Florida (Lauderdale Yacht Club)
- Strategic Planning
- Gary Jobson with Annapolis Yacht Club
- Fundraising Approaches
- Andrew Dye, Esq., Associate at Webster, Chamberlain & Bean
- Governance & Board Development
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
4:00 – 5:30 PM | Open
Time reserved for informal meetings and development of your personalized action plan.
5:30 – 6:30 PM | Cocktails & Continued Conversations
Location: Annapolis Yacht Club
2 Compromise St, Annapolis, MD 21403
6:30 PM | Seated Dinner
Wrap up the day with your new contacts and colleagues with dinner at Annapolis Yacht Club.
Cocktails and dinner will be provided with registration.
Registration
Your registration covers it all - Friday’s happy hour with light hors d’oeuvres and a program with CEO Charlie Enright, plus Saturday’s summit with lunch, refreshments, and a plated dinner with fellow attendees.
Fee Structure
- $500 per organization (includes one representative)
- +$250 for additional representatives from the same organization
- Processing fees are not included and will be added at checkout
Additional Details
- Attendance is limited to 30 participants
- Advance registration is required
- Registration deadline: November 7, 2025
Organizations are encouraged to bring brochures or printed materials to share with fellow attendees.
Who should attend?
This Summit is designed for board members, executive directors, and senior staff representing foundations whose mission includes supporting sailing, sailors, and their communities.
What will you come away with?
- Sharing best practices
- Capturing lessons learned
- Exploring governance and fundraising strategies
- Creating an action plan to address your organization’s immediate needs
- Ongoing peer connections and best practice sharing through a private platform