US Sailing Home
sails Kevin Hall
2005 Rolex Miami OCR
(photo credit: Daniel Forster/Rolex)

US Sailing Olympics

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

The mission of the Olympic Sailing Committee is simple and ambitious – restore the United States to a position of dominance in world of Olympic Sailing. We have created a 20-year vision and plan for US Olympic Sailing, and we strive to once again become world-class competitive in every Olympic Class and remain world-class competitive in every Paralympic Class.

How do I make a donation?

  1. Fill out DONATION FORM, (available on Olympic Sailing website)
  2. Make check payable to:
    US SAILING; FBO Olympic Sailing
  3. Send check and donation form to:
    Katie Richardson
    US SAILING Olympic Office
    PO Box 1260
    Portsmouth, RI 02871

How do I learn more?

To learn more about the Olympic and Paralympic Program and the OSC’s Fundraising Efforts, please contact Olympic Chairman Dean Brenner at the following address:

DMBrenner@ussailing.org
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
203-265-4344

Why give?

Today, many of our best athletes choose not to compete in Olympic and Paralympic Classes. Those who do choose to compete face a daunting task. In addition to needing to become the best sailors in the world, US athletes also must be world-class fundraisers and self-promoters. There are too many obstacles. The time has come for all of us to change this reality and remove those obstacles. We must allow our sailors to focus on being the best sailors in the world. Certainly, that is challenge enough.

We need your help. If enough members of the United States sailing community join us and lend support, we will reach our goals.

What fundraising activities is the OSC pursuing?

There are currently three aspects to our fundraising campaign:

1.Major Donor Campaign – Our committee is working and networking actively in pursuit of major gifts. Gary Jobson, Bob Billingham, Charlie Leighton, and Dean Brenner are leading this effort on behalf of Olympic Sailing.

2.Yacht Club Partner Program – We are also forging relationships with a wide array of leading yacht clubs in the US. There are a number of possible ways that the Olympic Program can partner with a yacht club. The OSC is looking for clubs that are willing to help us raise funds and want greater access to the Olympic Program.

3. Corporate Sponsor Program – We are constantly looking for corporate partners who are interested in joining our family of sponsors. Douglas Gill, Extrasport, Harken, McLube, Nautica, New England Ropes, Rolex, Sperry, Vanguard, Vineyard Vines and Zodiac, have joined us and are supporting the US Sailing Team with in-kind and cash donations, and we are looking for more partners who want to help restore the Olympic Program to a world-class position.

In future years, we will be adding other aspects to the program, including a broad-based direct mail appeal and some events. But you don’t have to wait. Every dollar counts.

What is the focus of the OSC’s fundraising program?

For the first time in the history of US Olympic Sailing, the creation of a permanent endowment is a primary pursuit of the OSC. We have short-term and long-term needs, and we need to focus on both.

If we only fundraise for the short-term, the long-term reality for our athletes will not improve. We need to reduce the burden on our athletes to need to fundraise for their own activities, and the only way to accomplish this is by the creation of a permanent source of funds.

However, if we only focus on the long-term, the athletes training now for the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics will not be competitive. We are focusing on today and tomorrow.

What are the OSC’s specific fundraising goals?

Our current 2005 budget will be approximately $1.3million. Our fundraising goals for the next four years are as follows:

  1. Double our annual budget by 2008 to $2.5million;
  2. Raise a minimum of $10million for our endowment.

What will donations be used for?

We have many immediate and long-term needs. Here are some prime examples of initiatives that will receive funding:

For Today’s Athletes

  1. More direct grants to athletes – We need to provide direct support to a broader spectrum of athletes. Currently only a small population of athletes receive direct support;
  2. More coaching resources for all Olympic and Paralympic Classes – Currently we do not have enough funding to provide coaching resources for all 14 classes. We need more coaching;
  3. More Staff Support – Currently Katie Richardson operates our office alone. We need administrative support, and additional support specifically for the Paralympic classes.
  4. International Travel and Competition – We need to be able to provide more support for our athletes who compete internationally at events like the Pre-Olympics. We need more shipping and more logistical support.
  5. 2006 and 2007 Pre-Olympic Teams – We currently need additional support for these major events.

For Tomorrow’s Athletes

What will the endowment funds be used for?

The short version is “more of the same.” We need to create a permanent source of funds so that our program can provide more assistance, and so that our athletes have to do far less fundraising for their own programs. So we need to create permanent funding for all aspects of the program, and dramatically increase the scope of the program – more support for a broader spectrum of athletes.

Our primary source of funds has been the support of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). But the nature of their support is changing, and we have needs far beyond the support USOC can provide.

How will the OSC separate funds between short-term and long-term needs?

Every unrestricted dollar we receive will be split evenly between our annual needs and our endowment. Of course, the donor’s wishes will always be honored and the funds directed as per the donor’s request. If the donor’s request is somehow in conflict with other OSC goals and initiatives, we will discuss this with the donor and reach some resolution.

Where will the donated funds be held?

Unless otherwise specified, every donation received will be split appropriately between two accounts – the Olympic Program’s annual operating account, and an endowment holding account. Endowment funds will be sent to the US Olympic Foundation on a quarterly basis and will be managed and monitored by USOF. The operating funds will be utilized by the Olympic Program to fund current needs.

Are any administrative fees taken out of a donation?

No. Your entire gift will benefit the US Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Program. Your gift will be tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, excluding the value of goods and services received.