Our Programs

Racing Development

We support sailors of all ages and skill levels through financial assistance, training programs, and hands-on development opportunities—whether you’re just getting started, returning to the sport, or aiming for the Olympic podium.

Our youth programs focus on building foundational and advanced skills through Opti sailing (Green Fleet and RWB), ILCA training, high school 420 sailing, and keelboat development.

For adults, we offer support for team racing, match racing, and race committee training, all with an emphasis on expanding racing expertise and community leadership.

We also provide individual grants to help sailors compete at the highest levels—supporting Opti camps, ILCA campaigns, Olympic efforts, and other national and international events.

Community Sailing

We’re committed to making sailing more accessible and inclusive by supporting community-focused programs, financial assistance, and outreach efforts that connect individuals and organizations throughout the Tampa Bay area—on and off the water.
Through partnerships with local nonprofits, veteran groups, and adaptive sailing programs, we help expand access to the water for individuals and organizations who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Our adult sailing courses range from beginner-level instruction to advanced race training, with an emphasis on needs-based financial assistance for those seeking to build confidence and skills on the water.
We also offer youth scholarships and grants to support participation in summer camps and instructional programs at the SPYC Sailing Center, helping ensure that financial barriers never stand in the way of a young sailor’s journey.
From scholarships and outreach to beginner lessons and adaptive programs, we’re helping more people discover the joy of sailing and feel at home on the water.

General Information

We offer quarterly grants and scholarships to support sailing-related programs and individuals, with clear guidelines on eligibility, reporting, and recognition. Please review our criteria carefully before applying.

Grant applications are accepted quarterly and are due by the 1st of March, June, September, and December.

Once your application is reviewed, you’ll receive an email letting you know whether you’ve been selected.

If awarded a grant or scholarship, you’ll be expected to:

— Use the funds as outlined in your application, and return any unused portion

— Submit a brief report on how the funds were used, including results, photos, and a thank-you note (which may be featured on the SPSF website)

— Help raise awareness of SPSF by encouraging others to support our mission

— Be open to participating in select SPSF events or photo opportunities

— Allow SPSF to use your name, likeness, and submitted materials in print and digital outreach

If your grant supports an amateur sailing or maritime-focused nonprofit, we also ask that you recognize SPSF as a sponsor—using our logo and name in promotional materials where appropriate.

SPSF generally does not issue grants or scholarships for:

— Events or programs that have already taken place

— Academic tuition or scholarships for school or university studies

— Fundraising events, honorary functions, or debt retirement

— Overhead, construction projects, operating budgets, or salaries

— Political campaigns, legislation advocacy, or capital campaigns

— For-profit or religious activities

Submit an Application