The New York Yacht Club Performance Sailing Fund (the "Performance Sailing Fund") is a fund created to support members and prospective 18- to 24-year-old members of the New York Yacht Club who are competing at the top levels of high-performance sailing around the world. The Performance Sailing Fund will be supported by Club members and others, with an ultimate goal of cementing New York Yacht Club as the preeminent club for high-performance sailors around the world.

The Performance Sailing Fund will support athletes who are training to compete in one of the following categories and meet the selection criteria established by an evaluation committee:

• Olympic and Paralympic sailors
• Sailors competing in other high-performance classes and championship regattas
• Sailors competing in offshore programs
• Sailors competing for America’s Cup Women’s & Youth Teams

Donors wishing to contribute to the Performance Sailing Fund will donate to the Sailing Foundation of New York (SFNY), an established 501(c)(3). All donations made to SFNY on behalf of the Performance Sailing Fund will be deposited into a designated New York Yacht Club account which allows for the reimbursement of qualified expenses to athletes selected by the Performance Sailing Committee. Funds donated to SFNY are tax deductible for U.S. donors. Qualified expenses include food, travel, lodging, coaching, entry fees, charter fees and equipment maintenance. Funds may not be used for the purchase of fixed assets such as boats or living expenses outside of competitions.

Sailors eligible to receive funding through the Performance Sailing Fund will be identified through a documented application process led by a sub-committee comprised of Club members. The evaluation committee will recommend athletes to the Performance Sailing Committee which will then select which athletes will receive a grant from the Performance Sailing Fund.

The Performance Sailing Fund has set an initial fundraising goal to identify a “50 for 50 Fund” which will feature 50 Founding Supporters who pledge $50,000 each over five years ($10,000 per year) to initially establish funding for the Performance Sailing Fund but all members are encouraged to contribute at any level they wish.

The Performance Sailing Committee communications program will leverage other events throughout the year to help raise awareness of and support for the Performance Sailing Fund as well as support the execution of the Golden Spinnaker Gala.