Advancing leadership development at sea for the next generation of Navy and Marine Corps officers.
Sailing at the United States Naval Academy is not simply a sport, it is a uniquely powerful means of developing the next generation of Navy and Marine Corps officers. In the challenging and dynamic maritime environment, midshipmen gain critical experience in leadership, risk assessment, decision-making under pressure, teamwork, communication, resiliency, and the core principles of seamanship and navigation, essential elements for our Nation's future leaders.
The Naval Academy Sailing Foundation operates through a unique and self-sustaining model that has served the Naval Academy for more than fifty years.
Generous donors contribute sailboats to NASF. We then provide those vessels to the Naval Academy through no-cost donative bareboat charters, enabling midshipmen to train and compete on high-quality boats at no expense to taxpayers. NASF retains ownership of each vessel while the Naval Academy operates them for training, racing, and seamanship instruction.
When a vessel reaches the end of its useful service life, NASF sells the boat and deposits the proceeds into a professionally managed investment portfolio. Income generated by the portfolio funds ongoing operations, vessel maintenance, and on-the-water activities that directly benefit midshipmen.
Since our founding, NASF has provided nearly 200 boats to the Naval Academy sailing program, a legacy of private support that is unmatched in collegiate sailing.
Small boat seamanship training is part of the original curriculum when the Naval Academy is founded in Annapolis, chosen in part for its access to the Chesapeake Bay.
The Intercollegiate Yacht Racing Association (ICYRA) is founded. The Naval Academy is among the earliest collegiate sailing competitors in the country.
At the request of the USNA Superintendent, Commodore DeCoursey Fales of the New York Yacht Club convenes an advisory committee of distinguished sailors to guide the Naval Academy sailing program.
The Fales Committee establishes the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation, incorporated in the State of Maryland in December 1973 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting Naval Academy sailing.
The Robert Crown Sailing Center opens on the Naval Academy's Severn River waterfront, providing a permanent home for all sailing operations, from Plebe Summer training to varsity racing.
With $33 million in assets, a 96% Charity Navigator rating, and nearly 200 boats provided throughout our history, NASF continues to power the nation's most comprehensive collegiate sailing program, from dinghy racing to ocean passages.
Great programs are built by great people. NASF is committed to recruiting and retaining world-class coaches, expanding volunteer capacity, and investing in the technical support staff and maintenance capability that keep the fleet on the water and midshipmen learning every day.
Competitive excellence demands modern equipment. NASF is replacing aging vessels with open-ocean capable boats, maintaining an optimal dinghy replacement cycle, and acquiring advanced technology platforms for match racing and competitive readiness across every level of the program.
The leadership lessons of sailing should reach as many midshipmen as possible. NASF is working to grow the number of midshipmen in meaningful sailing experiences, from introductory seamanship during Plebe Summer to advanced offshore training and international ocean racing.
From safety gear and protective clothing to navigation systems and rigging, the right equipment is essential to every sailor on the water. Your support ensures our Midshipmen are equipped with reliable, high-quality gear that enhances safety, performance, and readiness in all conditions.
The Naval Academy Sailing Foundation has been recognized as an IRS 501(c)(3) public charity since 1973. Our EIN is 23-7328323. We hold a four-star rating and a 96% overall score from Charity Navigator, along with GuideStar Silver transparency recognition. We are committed to the responsible stewardship of every gift entrusted to us.
