Reach the World
and the SFNY

"Reach the World is immensely grateful for the support provided by the Sailing Foundation of New York over the last few years. The SFNY is truly a unique foundation; there are few foundations that support sailing-related causes, and even fewer that support sailing activities outside of sailboat racing programs."

"Reach the World has been working in the New York City public school system since 1998, and has recently expanded to Chicago, IL. While we do not provide sail training for our more than 2,500 young students, we do aim to involve them in the wonders of seeing the world by sail. By meeting our expedition crewmembers in person during our twice-annual school visits, and then following them online throughout the school year as a part of the curriculum, our students truly come to feel that they are members of our virtual expeditions and develop real self-esteem as global explorers and citizens. RTW’s annual Field Trips program, through which we take students on visits to various sailing programs in the cities we serve, clinches the deal by giving children a real on-the-water experience."

"Support from the SFNY has been critical to the operations of Reach the World’s school-ship “Makulu” as she makes her way around the world. Most recently, the SFNY has provided support for the satellite- and land-based communications systems we use to communicate and interact with our students and teachers. Most foundations are wary of supporting sailing-related causes, deeming them “for the rich and famous” and therefore, not accessible to the low-income, minority populations that RTW serves. The SFNY, with its unique perspective, is a stalwart supporter of our program, and provides funding that we would have a very hard time accessing elsewhere."

"We thank the SFNY for helping Reach the World provide low-income children in New York and Chicago with the opportunity to sail – albeit virtually – across the oceans and around the world!