named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Birding Cruises
Quiet observation cruises along the waterways focused on birdwatching and connecting with nature
Education Cruises
School field trip program offering narrated, curriculum-aligned boat tours on the Erie Canal and Genesee River
Kids’ Cruises
Family-friendly educational cruises with hands-on games, crafts, and puzzles focused on nautical navigation and local history
Private Charters
Customizable private events aboard Sam Patch or Riverie for families, corporations, or nonprofits, including special rates for nonprofit organizations
Sip ’n Sail
Evening cruises aboard Riverie featuring scenic views, live music, and curated tastings of local food and drink
Speaker, Slice ’n Sail
Public cruise series featuring guest experts who educate attendees about the Genesee River and Erie Canal over pizza
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Website Accessibility Implementation 1 activity
- Expanding accessibility to waterway programsConducts community outreach and accessibility initiatives to broaden public access to river and canal programs, including continuous updates to website content to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1, Level AA.
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 1 activity
- Fostering waterway improvement and sustainabilityWorks to improve and sustain the ecological and recreational health of the Erie Canal and Genesee River through programming and stewardship initiatives.
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Historic Vessel and Equipment Preservation 1 activity
- Maintaining and preserving historic vesselsPerforms ongoing maintenance and preservation of its fleet, including the vessels Sam Patch and Riverie, to ensure operational safety and historical integrity.
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 1 activity
- Providing discounted and donated charter services for nonprofitsOffers discounted 90-minute private charters for local nonprofits aboard Sam Patch or Riverie during summer months for team-building, donor appreciation, or community events. Also donates two tickets for a 90-minute narrated cruise to eligible nonprofit organizations, valid for one year.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Operating narrated public and educational cruises on the Erie Canal and Genesee RiverOperates two vessels, Sam Patch and Riverie, providing 90-minute narrated cruises for visitors, residents, and students. In 2024, conducted 1,065 cruises and transported 19,654 passengers, including 151 educational cruises serving 3,743 students.
- Selling and redeeming eGift cards for cruises and mealsOffers eGift cards redeemable for cruise tickets on Riverie and Sam Patch during the navigational season (May–October), as well as for online meal orders, excluding onboard food and beverage purchases.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$43K
Contributions & grants$43K99%
Program service revenue$3811%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$200
expenses
Total expenses$96K
Program expenses36%
Admin / overhead55%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$47K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$885K
Cash$161K
Investments$0
Liabilities$466K
Net assets$419K
Liquid reserves20.2 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -91.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 13
- ASHLEY FICO — DIRECTOR
- DAVID CARPENTER — VICE CHAIR
- FRANCES GOTCSIK — DIRECTOR
- FREDERIC FOLSOM — DIRECTOR
- HENRY MCCARTNEY — DIRECTOR
- JULIA CURTIS — VICE CHAIR
- KIM CREVELLING — DIRECTOR
- LISA WING — CHAIR
- LYNN BUEHLMAN — DIRECTOR
- PATRICIA DONOGHUE — SECRETARY
- ROGER BROWN — DIRECTOR
- SANDRA SIMPSON — DIRECTOR
- THOMAS HACK — TREASURER
relationships · 3
Who they work with
- Rochester By Water Government — THE CORN HILL WATERFRONT & NAVIGATION FOUNDATION operates under the name Rochester By Water, indicating a formal organizational identity relationship.
- Rochester By Water Network — The Corn Hill Waterfront & Navigation Foundation operates under the name Rochester By Water.
- Rochester Garden Club Partner — Provided a grant to Corn Hill Navigation to install planters and beautify its two locations in Pittsford and Rochester.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Education Through Cruisingmethodology: education-through-experiential-cruisingBy combining scenic cruises with expert-led educational presentations and light refreshments, we engage the public in learning about local waterways, because integrating comfort and social experience with education lowers barriers to participation and increases accessibility.
- Experiential Education on Waterwaysmethodology: experiential_educationBy using hands-on learning aboard river and canal boats, we teach the public about local history, ecology, and heritage, because immersive experiences foster deeper understanding and long-term stewardship of local water resources.
- Floating Classroom Modelmethodology: floating-classroomBy transforming canal boats into interactive learning environments, we teach children real-world navigation and waterway knowledge, because experiential, place-based education increases engagement and retention.
- Waterway Sustainability Focusmethodology: waterway_sustainabilityBy prioritizing long-term environmental and infrastructural sustainability of key waterways, we support regional vitality, because resilient water systems are foundational to economic, ecological, and community health.