April 6, 2024

Roble/Shea Sailing, sponsored in part by the CYCF Competition Fund, will represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

March 18, 2024

by Greg Miarecki

Dear Friends,

The weather’s almost warm enough to get back out on Lake Michigan, right? We are eagerly anticipating this coming boating season! We have a tremendous slate of activities planned, all designed to introduce new Chicagoland kids to boating.

March 18, 2024

by Francesca Sigmond

The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation has a fun and enriching summer in the works for our kids! We are expanding our program offerings to even more partners and participants this season.

March 18, 2024

by Megan McNichols Mahon

The CYC Foundation is thrilled to announce a new scholarship program for Chicagoland high school seniors who have participated in any Foundation initiative.

February 15, 2024

by Greg Miarecki

Welcome to the February issue of the Beacon. Usually, there’s not a lot to talk about when it comes to boating in Chicago. But we have a LOT to talk about.

February 15, 2024

by Francesca Sigmond

One of our tried and true partners over the years has been SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. SOS Children’s Villages “build[s] families for children in need, help[s] them shape their futures, and share[s] in the development of their communities.”

February 15, 2024

by Diane Foote

Jim and Kate Murray know firsthand the joys and benefits of participation in active, outdoor athletic pursuits. Each has pursued a sporting passion from childhood—sailing for Jim and equestrian eventing for Kate.

January 17, 2024

by Greg Miarecki

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a great holiday season, and that 2024 is off to a good start for you. I’m thrilled to share some great news with you. Thanks to your extraordinary generosity, the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation completed a successful 2023 Annual Appeal,

January 17, 2024

by Francesca Sigmond

This school year, the CYC Foundation started working with a new partner for our after-school STEAM programs, St. Joseph Services.

January 17, 2024

by Diane Foote

When Tom and Mary Falck first met, neither one was a boater; sailing is a hobby they've developed together. Their first sailboat was a Sunfish, which they purchased in 1988 after Mary spotted at a neighbor's yard sale.

December 15, 2023

by Nick Camino

Happy Holidays and welcome to the December 2023 edition of the Beacon. The Foundation is buzzing with activity as we are working hard to reach our 2023 Annual Appeal goal of $300,000.

December 15, 2023

by Greg Miarecki

This month, we must say goodbye to our friend Peter Barrett, who died on November 27th at the age of 92.

December 15, 2023

by Francesca Sigmond

Just before Thanksgiving, more than 80 people gathered in support of competitive sailing at the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation’s first in-person fundraiser for the Competition Fund.

November 15, 2023

by Nick Camino

Welcome to the November 2023 edition of From the Helm. We had a fantastic turnout at the Meet the Kids night in October which brought together kids who have joined one of the various programs with supporters from the Foundation. We want to thank all our kids for their boundless energy and bravery for standing up and telling their stories. 

November 15, 2023

by Megan McNichols Mahon

Olympic sailors and CYC members Steph Roble and Maggie Shea have some unfinished business to complete in Paris next summer. 

October 11, 2023

by Matt Gallagher

The CYC Foundation supports boating in four ways: introduction to boating; induction to continuing boating education; developing boaters’ skills; and inspiring young boaters to greatness. Today, I want to share with you what we’re doing on the inspiration front. 

October 11, 2023

by Regina Kurkowski

Regina Kurkowski, 17, is a member of Sea Scout Ship 5870, which conducted a five-day cruise for ten Scouts aboard two sailboats, Maris and Reflections, in July 2023. Here is her first-hand account of the adventure.

Day 1: We–ten Sea Scouts from Ship 5870–arrived at Burnham Harbor and loaded the two boats with food and supplies. Then we refueled and pumped out.

October 11, 2023

by Diane Foote

Regular readers of the Beacon know how proud the Foundation is of our programs and partnerships; and you also know we're not shy about it! But you don't have to take our word for it. This month, we are focusing on the voices that truly matter: those of our young program participants. Hear from them in their own words here in this compilation,

September 20, 2023

by Greg Miarecki

Welcome to the September issue of the Beacon! This season has been one for the record books at your Chicago Yacht Club Foundation. Thanks to your support, we have been able to launch five new sailing camps for young people from underrepresented communities.

September 20, 2023

by Megan McNichols

Steering the boat was eight-year-old Ione’s favorite part of sailing while Viviana, 9, liked “riding into the waves because it’s bumpy and so much fun.”