Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation

The Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation’s primary goal is to cultivate and develop young talent so that they can participate in regional, national and international sailing events.

The Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with EIN 33-0759152. The Foundation raises and grants money in an effort to offset the costs of equipment and training, entry fees, travel and lodging to deserving sailors and organizations that promote Sailing, Maritime Education, and Sailboat Racing.

The Foundation provides support to young sailors eager to start their careers, to competitive sailors as they advance in the sport, and beyond to those seeking Olympic and International Competition. In addition, the Foundation assists local High Schools and various other programs that introduce sailing to students and under-privileged youth.

The Foundation accomplishes its fund-raising goals through individual contributions and our annual auction event. It’s grant-giving recipients have included Olympic sailors, junior sailors, community outreach programs, handicapped sailors, and regattas.

The Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation was founded in 1997 by a group of local boaters who love sailing, understand its myriad rewards and strive to make it more accessible to local sailors. Many Foundation grant recipients have progressed from summer sailing to championship competitions around the world!

The Foundation has sponsored the sailing dreams of more than 1,000 local young people. The Foundation grant recipients include past Olympians, Junior sailors, and students who receive admission to such colleges and universities as Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford and Georgetown. All have been rewarded by the invaluable life lessons of rigorous sailing, teamwork, self-discipline, problem solving, camaraderie and a global perspective.

Our Impact: Shaping Character on the Water
At the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation, our true measure of success extends far beyond race times or regatta trophies. We believe that competitive amateur sailing is a powerful engine for youth development. By funding local high school programs and supporting elite amateur athletes, we remove financial barriers to ensure that any dedicated young sailor can access the water. We are deeply committed to providing intentional experiences that these young athletes will carry with them throughout their lives. The unique challenges of the ocean naturally teach them to focus less on material things and more on resilience, teamwork, sportsmanship, and camaraderie. Ultimately, our greatest impact is helping to shape young adults who are thoughtful, caring, kind, compassionate, and emotionally balanced—ready to navigate both the racecourse and the world beyond it.

The Need: Leveling the Course for Every Young Sailor - Sailing teaches life lessons that cannot be replicated in a classroom: reading dynamic natural elements, taking personal responsibility for vessel and crew, and collaborating seamlessly under pressure. Yet too often, the high economic barrier of marine athletics keeps motivated young athletes on the shoreline. In our coastal community, dozens of youth athletes and local high school teams possess the drive, work ethic, and passion to compete at the highest amateur levels but lack the funds for essential travel, charter equipment, and safety resources. The Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation exists to ensure no young athlete's growth is sidelined by financial hurdles. Through targeted grantmaking, we invest in more than just regattas—we invest in mentorship, camaraderie, and lifelong character formation. Community support is urgently needed to keep pace with rising travel and equipment expenses, ensuring our local youth continue to represent our community on the national and world stage.

Orange County, California