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Lightning Boat Grant Program

Boat Grant Program- International Lightning Class Association (ILCA)
Presented by Laura Jeffers and Jan Davis

The Lightning Class wanted an innovative way to attract the interest of younger sailors. The goal was to create a program that got the Lightning into the hands of young people and to have our class grow with youth.

Objective
   • Expose young racers to the Lightning boat and its class activities/events.
   • Re-introduce the Lighting class to the sailing community. Many sailors haven’t seen or sailed Lightnings in years and we wanted to show that the class association is active, strong and investing in its future growth.
 
The Budget
   $35,000 was allocated from our ILC Fund the initial year.

The Program
In 2007, we decided to begin the program by offering two grants. Each grant would include the use of a competitive boat for the season and money for regatta expenses, entry fees, boat maintenance and insurance.

We purchased one boat and while looking for a second boat, a nearly-new boat was donated to the program and one of our builders loaned us a brand new boat for the season. Quickly, the scope of our program doubled and we were able to grant four boats instead.

2008 – Six teams/boats granted.  We owned the two boats from the previous year, one was borrowed from a member and two were loaned from our boat builders.  Another older boat was donated and we were able to grant a 6th boat as a development team. 

2009 – Five teams/boats granted. We sold the older development boat that was donated. We sold the original boat we purchased and bought another new boat. Both of our boat builders again loaned us two new boats for the season. We chartered/borrowed another boat from a member.

2010 – Three teams/boats granted. The boat we own and two loaned from our boat builders.

2011 – Looking to grant three teams.

Volunteer Commitment
   • Core committee of two, HUGE time commitment to develop the concept and program structure and to implement it in the first year.
   • Application review committee read all applications and scored them.
   • Mentor/Fleet support
   • Class members hauled boats across the country, worked on repairing boats, mentored, housed, fed, coached and encouraged the grant recipients.

Financial Results
   • Some contributors to the ILCA Fund were initially skeptical of the wisdom of the concept.
   • Donations VASTLY exceeded our wildest expectations.
   • Cash outlay was required but donations to the ILCA Fund increased due to the incredible enthusiasm for the program and generosity of our members.
   • Since the inception of the program, Income has exceeded expenses by $9,166.76.

	2007 (4 teams)	2008 (6 teams)	2009 (5 teams)	2010 (3 teams)
Income	$16,769.44	$16,303.00	$10,592.00	$3,703.25
Expenses	$  5,935.87	$12,635.79	$  9,869.39	$5,759.88
Total	$10,833.57	$  3,667.21	$      722.61	$<2,056.63>

     
Class Support
Enthusiasm and support for the program grew as the season progressed and members were exposed to the grant recipients.  Additional volunteers came forward as well.

Who should apply?
High school students, college students, grad students, recent grads.

Requirements
Sailing resume for skipper and crews, letters of recommendation, two sailing references. If applicant is under 18, a letter from a parent or guardian.

Selection Criteria (published on ILCA website along with application)
   • Age of team
   • Financial need of team
   • Plan for use of boat
   • Proximity to an established Lightning Fleet
   • Strength of sailing resume
   • Strength of recommendations
   • Ability to maintain boat
   • Ability to travel
   • Ability to store boat

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (as published on the ILCA website)

Q – What expenses are covered?
We will provide the boat, competitive sails, insurance, and entry fees for all Lighting Class regattas that you sail. We have also included some money in the program for maintenance so if the boat needs some new line or you need to repair a damaged part, that will be covered as well. We want you to sail a lot of events. In some cases we may help with your travel expenses, depending on the strength of your proposal.

Part of your proposal should include a list of regattas that you want to attend, a budget, and a plan. The funding depends on the strength of your proposal and your need for financial aid. We would strongly recommend that you discuss your job and your ability to incur some of these expenses.

Q – What costs will I incur?
You and your crew will need to join the ILCA, skipper dues are $45 and crew dues are $10 each. You will also need to pay the deductible if you damage the boat and need to make and insurance claim. You will need to pay any fees associated with storing the boat at a club or sailing center. You will need to pay travel expenses for going to regattas. Often times, regatta hosts will offer free housing to competitors which greatly reduces your expenses.

Q  - I am 24, and I am in graduate school full time. Am I eligible for the program?
Yes, absolutely! The program is geared to help YOUNG people who have a desire to race a boat but do not have the resources to be able to do it. The class wants to do whatever it can to get people like you to start racing boats and enable you to get on the race course.

Q – Are there any regattas I am required to go to?
No, you are not required to go to any regattas, but the more regattas that you plan to do and put on your application, the better chance you have to being granted a boat. The North American’s, ACC’s, Districts, are all big important events, which we encourage participation in. Also if you are a junior, the Junior North Americans would be a great regatta.

Q – After I sail the boat granted to me for one year, I decide I really love the boat and want to keep it would this be possible?
In some cases, the boat will be available to be purchased at the end of the season, and it would be the best thing that we could hope for. We would work with you to figure out the details to make it easy for you to purchase the boat and to continue to race with the ILCA.

Q – What/Who is the mentor and what will they do for me?
The mentor is the best part of the program. The mentor will be a member from a local fleet with a lot of Lightning knowledge who will be able to help you get started, show you how to rig the boat, tune, boat handling techniques, you name it. They are there to help YOU. They are also there to help watch over the boat and ensure that it is being taken care of and that it’s being used and cared for. The mentor will be available to answer your questions, help you with regatta planning, and help you get the most out of your Lightning. He or she may be able to help coach, assist, and even sail with you from time to time. They are there to make your experience positive and to help you learn as much as possible.

Going Forward
   • The ILCA is excited to continue the program in 2011 – our 5th year of the program.
   • The Boat Grant program is exploring the possibility of expanding the program to Europe and/or South America in the future.
   • The ILCA is exploring opportunities to offer a purchase/ finance system so the grantees can purchase the boats at the end of their season.
   • The class office will continue to expand its coverage, via website and articles in Flashes about the grantees and their activities thought out the season.
   • The class hopes to build on the positive publicity to ensure that all eligible young sailors know about the Boat Grant Program.