Downtown Sailing Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Downtown Sailing Center provides quality life enriching programs that promote self-esteem and teamwork through the joy of sailing. The Downtown Sailing Center is committed to promoting an environment of inclusiveness and accessibility, especially to youth, persons with disabilities, and those with limited opportunity.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 1.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
- Employees
- 64
- Volunteers
- 165
Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 58% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 67% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $208,717 spent. Membership- Our membership, which includes our cadre of "volunteer level" members, is the foundation for our Downtown Sailing Community. We are a community of individuals from as far away as Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. Our members are college students and retirees; professionals and blue collar workers; from all walks of life, economic classes, ethnicities, and religious affiliations. Most came to the DSC to learn how to sail or to volunteer in our programs for persons with disabilities. Our members are our greatest volunteers; and many have been contributing to the DSC for years.
- $172,199 spent. Junior Camp and Adult Education- The Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) began offering youth sailing programs in 1990 to make sailing available and convenient to all Baltimore-area children. Sailing is an exhilarating way for children to develop teamwork skills, improve concentration, and become more self-confident. The Downtown Sailing Center is an accredited US Sailing school that provides courses for all experience levels. Our unified curriculum lets every student reach their full potential by developing skills in a logical progression while offering tailored instruction for every member of our community.
- $247,524 spent. Community Outreach-The Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) is committed to providing opportunities to sail for everyone, regardless of race, ability, or economic status. We believe that sailing can change lives. We also believe that lives can change sailing. The DSC's targeted outreach programs strive to break down all barriers to participation, giving the community equal access to the water and providing us with a more diverse community of sailors.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending November 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.