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Great Chesapeake Schooner Race Inc

EIN 54-1704367 · Mobjack, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay's heritage * Encourage preservation of the Bay's resources * Support Chesapeake Bay education and clean-up efforts * Bring historic schooners to the Bay * Encourage schooner sailing and preservation

Income
$75,787
Spending
$76,140
Reserves
13.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (13)
  1. Living Classrooms Foundation - Education Sails on Schooner Lady Maryland and Skipjack Sigsbee - $2,000.00 - 57 Students/Chaperones
  2. Seafarers Foundation Inc. - Summer Youth Program Education Sail on Schooner Woodwind - $2,579 - 32 Students/5 Chaperones
  3. Alexandria Seaport Foundation - Educational Sail on the three sail bateau, Jolly Dolphin. Participating in the trip were 7 Apprentices and 4 chaperones.
  4. Nauticus Foundation hosted Norfolk Youth Sailing Association who completed a sail-training and team-building experience aboard Schooner Virginia. The group included middle and high school sailors from across Norfolk Public Schools, along with their coaches.
  5. World Ocean Sailing - Education Sail on schooner Denis Sullivan - 40 Students - $1000
  6. $42,971 spent. The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race was founded in 1990. This annual event starts in Baltimore with dockside public viewing, education (STEM-H) programs aboard and underway for local school children, and a Parade of Sail to Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The race starts at the Bay Bridge and finishes at Thimble Shoals, participants dock in Norfolk for public viewing and an awards ceremony. Education programs for local school children are given. Participation in the events is approximately 500 people. The cost of the GCBSR event in 2025 was $42,971.
  7. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation's apprentice program helps young adults ages 18-23 build job skills and positive habits through woodworking and traditional boatbuilding. With support from the GCBSR grant, apprentices will take part in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race aboard the schooner Denis Sullivan, operated by World Ocean School. During the experience, they rotate through active sailing duties, seamanship training like navigation and knot tying, and reflection time to connect with the marine environment.
  8. For over 15 years, The Chesapeake Mermaid has delivered engaging environmental education on Bay wildlife and habitats through storytelling and interactive activities, reaching up to 30,000 people annually. The GCBSR grant will support completion of a studio to expand their recorded educational programming.
  9. The Living Classrooms Foundation offers hands-on programs in education, job training, and community development. With the GCBSR grant, underserved students from Baltimore City College High School will join a three-day schooner race aboard the Lady Maryland, gaining a rare first-time sailing experience while supporting the vessel's return to Baltimore's sailing community.
  10. The Downtown Sailing Center promotes inclusive access to sailing, especially for youth, people with disabilities, and BIPOC communities. With support from the GCBSR grant, it will expand its BIPOC Sailing Program to recruit new sailors, help participants advance to skipper roles, and foster greater diversity, environmental awareness, and connection to the water.
  11. Youth Sailing Virginia teaches middle and high school students life skills through sailing programs. Its Beginner Learn to Sail with STEM program combines hands-on sailing with subjects like physics, marine biology, and technology. The organization partners with local schools and community groups in Hampton and Newport News to reach students, and the GCBSR grant will support expanding access for underrepresented and underserved youth.
  12. The Norfolk Youth Sailing Association supports student sailing in Norfolk, VA by developing skills, organizing varsity teams, and hosting regattas. It focuses on schools like Maury, Granby, and the Hague School, promoting inclusion and reducing financial and social barriers through partnerships such as the Sail Nauticus program. The GCBSR grant will help expand access and continue supporting Title I students.
  13. Pride of Baltimore II promotes maritime education, tourism, and Maryland's culture. With support from the GCBSP grant, it will partner with Defensores de la Cuenca to offer free, bilingual sailing programs for Baltimore's Latino communities. These programs provide hands-on learning about the Chesapeake Bay, maritime history, and careers, along with take-home materials and follow-up resources, creating an inclusive way for Latino families to connect with maritime heritage.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. 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 September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 7, 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.