StFYC Int’l Yacht Racing Foundation (IYRF)

StFYC Int’l YachtRacing Foundation (IYRF)

Mission Statement

The Foundation’s mission is to provide St. Francis Yacht Club members and non-members with the opportunity to participate in world-class, international sailing events in highly competitive classes as non-professional sailors. The foundation also offers the ability to help fund junior and disadvantaged youth into sailing programs of traditionally equipped sailboats providing the necessary stepping stones to highly competitive and world championship caliber sailboat racing at international regattas.

The Challenge

International regattas are often far outside the financial reach of so many aspiring sailors and the vehicle needs to exist to offer the financial wherewithal to promote sailing and the continuance of the sport of non-professional yacht racing. Furthermore, the ability for underprivileged youth or even the average-middle class family to have waterfront & sailing vessel access to “learn to sail” is often beyond their financial means and a necessary “first step” in invoking the passion of sailing…

The Solution

The StFYC Intl Yacht Racing Foundation (501(c)3) offers a vehicle for tax deductible, charitable donations to support non-professional, non-Olympic Class Racing and fundamental sailing instruction.

The IYRF BoD Team

Sophia's Sole

Secretary & Marketing Events

Sophia is an accomplished Financial Analyst, Entrepreneur, former captain of Stanford University Women’s Varsity Sailing Team, Sailing Coach and recognized Intl Yacht Racer. Loves coaching youth, match racing and creating kiln pottery!

Sean Svendsen

BoD Treasurer

Sean is a 40 year veteran of the Maritime Industry, founder/owner of Svendsen’s Boatworks and Svendsen’s Marine and former co-owner/General Manager of Grand Marina, LLC. Former Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. World Class Sailboat Racer and Event Mngr for SailGP

Nataly Whitaker

Marketing/Promotion

Nataly was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany and started sailing when she was 5 years old. Wind in her hair and water on her face make her feel free and happy. She just recently bought a Knarr boat with her husband Bradford and is excited to sail in the fleet. In her professional life she wore many hats from Hospitality & Events to Fundraising,Relocation and Government Services. In all those years her main focus has always been her family and raising two very successful children.

Risley Sams

BoD Event Support

Risley is the founder and CEO of RHS Financial Services, an Independent Bay Area Wealth Management Firm specializing in helping tech professionals build wealth. He enjoys yacht racing, golf, playing with his dog Ozzy and living a nautical lifestyle with his wife Christine. Risley is the former Admiral and Secretary of the Knarr Fleet.

Mark Dahm

Chairman

Mark is a 40year veteran of sales, business development and product management in High Technology for leading Silicon Valley companies. A former Air Force Officer, lifetime mariner, international regatta chairman and competitor in multiple one-design sailing classes

Mike Peterson

Nautical Advisor

An avid San Francisco Bay sailor / racer for 35 years, Mike is a strong advocate of amateur sail racing, and amateur development. Mike got into sailing as a teenager, supported through Sea Scouts and Junior Sailing, both of which were sponsored through charitable contributions. Mike has a business background in finance, and has served on several boards of non-profit organizations.

BOD Members

Betsy Weiler

Legal

Betsy Weiler is a corporate tax attorney for Zoom Communications, Inc., and during her free time, Betsy enjoys racing sailboats - J/22s, J/105s, J/88s, Melges 32 and any other boat with fun friends on board. Additionally, Betsy has been an active member at StFYC, serving on various committees, including Executive Race Committee, Wine Committee, and Bylaws, Rules & Regulations Committee. She also has served as an appointed officer on the StFYC Board of Directors.

StFYC IYRF Eventsfor 2023-24-25 +

Jan 2023

StFYC Intl Yacht Racing Foundation-501(c)(3) Reinstatement begins

Jan 2023

Feb-March 2023

Foundation Re-instated by IRS and Franchise Tax Board, California

Feb-March 2023

Apr 2023

Casa Vela Cup-World Women’s Match Racing Sponsorship @ StFYC

Apr 2023

19-21 May 2023

Scouts Troops #134 & #1 @ Tinsley - Sailing Merit Badge

19-21 May 2023

Aug 2023

Morgan Cup NYYC

Aug 2023

Sept 2024

2024 Intl Knarr Championship

Sept 2024

Oct 2024

Linda Elias Memorial Women's One Design Challenge

Oct 2024

October ‘24-‘27

Fundraising for 2027 Int’l Knarr Championships in San Francisco

October ‘24-‘27

May 2025

Scouts Troop #27 & #134 Sailing Merit Badge

May 2025

Immediate Fund-a-Need Programs

1)The Scouts offer an effective & regimented way to teach young women to sail. We have organized a weekend @ Tinsley Island for BSA Scout (Girls) Troops #1 (Marin County) and #134 (Sonoma County) to earn their Sailing Merit Badge and perform community Service at the Island. Estimated Cost per Scout: $110/per Scout, Grant Request: $5K for

Member Sponsors: Lisa Gilmore, Mark Dahm, Molly Spector

1)2023 Women’s World Match Racing Tour stop #1 at StFYC Casa Vela Cup on April 24-28, 2023. This Regatta will attract 40 of the world’s leading female match racers to the Club and serve as a catalyst for engaging women sailors into this exciting discipline. Cost per Team: $1750/team, Grant Request: $6K for Regatta Support

Member Sponsor: Bruce Stone, Nicole Breault

“The Ask” & How it works?

Step 1

Make a tax free donation of $$+ to the StFYC Int’l Yacht Racing Foundation (IYRF)

Step 2

The BoD of the StFYC IYRF makes an appropriation of +90% of the donation to the Fund-a-Need Programs of your choice.

Step 3

The event/program gets funded with volunteers from the BoD and the donor gets a 501(c)(3) tax deduction an opportunity to participate, and a big “thank you” for the support

Why now?

Preserve the past, present and future of Amateur Yacht Racing and make it affordable to more sailors!