named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Harbor Tours
Public tours aboard the National Historic Landmark oyster sloop CHRISTEEN, providing access to maritime history and the harbor environment
Junior Summer Program
Summer camp program offering marine education and sailing instruction for youth, including themed groups like Bay Buccaneers, First Mates, and C420 Race Team
Marine Education Programs
Hands-on environmental education using floating classrooms aboard the CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY, covering marine life, water quality, and local ecosystems
Reel Explorers Fishing Camp
Youth fishing program aboard the IDA MAY focusing on marine ecosystems and angling skills
Sailing Instruction
Youth and adult sailing programs teaching fundamentals and advanced skills on Optis, C420s, Sonars, and Hobie catamarans, including race team training
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Marine and Coastal Education Programs 2 activities
- Deliver marine education and STEM programsProvides hands-on marine science, environmental education, and STEM learning through on-the-water activities such as seining, plankton tows, water quality testing, microscopy, and dissections, reaching over 15,000 individuals annually, including youth, military veterans, and people with disabilities.
- Operate historic vessels as floating classroomsUses the historic oyster sloop CHRISTEEN and the replica oyster dredge IDA MAY as floating classrooms for marine education and public programming, including harbor tours, STEM activities, and youth fishing excursions, with both vessels maintained through volunteer efforts.
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 2 activities
- Offer kayak, paddleboard, and boat rentals and chartersProvides public access to Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound through kayak and paddleboard rentals, sailboat rentals, and private charters on historic vessels for celebrations, corporate events, and group outings.
- Provide recreational and instructional sailing programsOffers introductory and intermediate sailing instruction for youth using Opti, Hobie, and C420 dinghies, as well as Sonar boats, teaching fundamentals such as steering, tacking, sail control, and points of sail, with programs designed for beginners and advancing skill levels.
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Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 1 activity
- Conduct horseshoe crab population monitoringParticipates in the New York Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Network by collecting scientific data on spawning abundance, size, sex, and tag returns during full and new moons from May to July to support conservation and management efforts.
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Amateur Sports Competition Programming 1 activity
- Support competitive youth sailingProvides coaching and competitive sailing opportunities for high school and junior sailors through regional regattas, the J/105 Junior Big Boat Program, and the High School Sailing program, achieving podium finishes and team trophies, including at the 2025 Grand Prix Championship Series and New York State Optimist Championship.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.64M
Contributions & grants$449K27%
Program service revenue$748K46%
Investment income$351K21%
Other revenue$92K
expenses
Total expenses$1.67M
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead23%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$1.08M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.10M
Cash$174K
Investments$562K
Liabilities$222K
Net assets$877K
Liquid reserves5.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +5.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE ELLIS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $150K |
board members · 21
- ALEXANDER SMITH — BOARD MEMBER
- ANDREW GEISEL — BOARD MEMBER
- BRYAN LAWRENCE — BOARD MEMBER
- CALEIGH TOYE — BOARD MEMBER
- DARIA LAMB — BOARD MEMBER
- ELISA SANTORO — PRESIDENT
- GEORGE BAKER — BOARD MEMBER
- GEORGE KAKOULIDES — BOARD MEMBER
- GERALD LALONDE — BOARD MEMBER
- HENRIETTE ROHL — BOARD MEMBER
- HOWARD SZARFARC — TREASURER
- IAN GUMPRECHT — VICE PRESIDENT
- JAMIE DEMING — BOARD MEMBER
- JENNIFER BAKER-WALSH — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN AMANTE — BOARD MEMBER
- KELLY GAUDREAU — BOARD MEMBER
- LAWRENCE KENNEDY — BOARD MEMBER
- MORGAN SIMMONDS — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBERT CRAFA — BOARD MEMBER
- SUSAN MOORE — BOARD MEMBER
- THOMAS THORNTON — SECRETARY
relationships · 51
Who they work with
- Bellport Bay Sailing Foundation Partner — Collaborates on youth sailing instruction and competition, with Coach Runci serving as Head Race Coach.
- Bellport Bay Sailing Foundation Partner — Zach Runci coaches youth sailors with the organization and serves as Head Race Coach.
- CHRISTEEN Partner — Historic vessel used as a floating classroom and gathering space.
- Christeen Partner — National Historic Landmark oyster sloop used for harbor tours and marine education programs.
- Coach Meeting House Partner — Platinum Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Coach Meeting House Partner — Platinum sponsor supporting The WaterFront Center.
- Compass Partner — Bronze Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Cooper Bluff Partner — Platinum Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Cooper Bluff Partner — Platinum sponsor supporting The WaterFront Center.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program Partner — Works with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program on the horseshoe crab spawning data collection project.
- Dodds & Eder Landscape Partner — Bronze Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Dr. Joseph Lopez Partner — Bronze Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Elisa Santoro Partner — Bronze Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- F Farrell Fritz, P.C. Partner — Gold Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Fordham University Partner — Zach Runci previously served as Head Sailing Coach, developing student-athletes in competitive sailing.
- Frederic R. Coudert Foundation Funder — Founding Sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Friends of the Bay Partner — Community advocacy group that collaborated to protect the Jakobson Shipyard and establish The WaterFront Center.
- Fuschetto Home Improvements Partner — Silver Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- George Baker Partner — Silver Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association Partner — Zach Runci's teams have competed successfully in GSBYRA events, including winning the 2025 Grand Prix Championship Series.
- IDA MAY Partner — Historic vessel used as a floating classroom and gathering space.
- Ida May Partner — Oyster dredge used for educational excursions and marine ecosystem exploration.
- Kiddsmiles Pediatric Dentistry Partner — Bronze Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- LISOT Partner — Collaborates with LISOT (Long Island Sound Optimist Team) in hosting and participating in the New York State Optimist Championship.
- Larchmont Yacht Club Partner — Hosted the Larchmont Junior Race Week regatta in which the organization's C420 Race Team competed.
- Melrose Construction Partner — Bronze Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- Mill Max Mfg. Corp. Partner — Platinum Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- MillMax Partner — Platinum sponsor supporting The WaterFront Center.
- Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Geisel Partner — Bronze Partner sponsor of The WaterFront Center's 25th Anniversary Benefit
- New York Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Network Partner — Collaborates with the network to conduct horseshoe crab tagging and population monitoring.
+ 21 more
strategies · 3
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.
- Experiential Marine Educationmethodology: experiential-marine-educationBy providing hands-on marine education and on-the-water experiences, we foster public connection to and stewardship of coastal ecosystems, because direct engagement makes environmental learning tangible and memorable.
- Inclusive Access Programmingmethodology: equitable_access_programmingBy offering free and affordable programs tailored to diverse ages, abilities, and financial backgrounds, we increase participation in marine education and sailing, because removing economic and social barriers enables broader community engagement and equity.
- Place-Based Environmental Stewardshipmethodology: place-based environmental educationBy connecting people to local coastal ecosystems through education and recreation, we cultivate long-term stewardship, because personal experience with a specific place fosters responsibility for its preservation.