named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Coast Guard Personnel Outreach
Special access and private tours for Coast Guard veterans, retirees, and active-duty personnel, including efforts to record oral histories and collect memorabilia
Kids’ Deck
Educational resources and activities for children, including printable paper boat models, coloring books, and reading recommendations to extend learning about lighthouses and maritime life
Public Tours and Exhibits
Free public access to the USCGC LILAC on weekends for self-guided and docent-led tours, featuring historical and art exhibits aboard the museum ship
Volunteer Program
Opportunities for public involvement in restoration, visitor services, docenting, office work, event support, and archival projects related to the ship’s preservation and operation
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Historic Vessel and Equipment Preservation 3 activities
- Conducting restoration, maintenance, and preservation of the USCGC LILACPerforms ongoing restoration and maintenance of the historic vessel, including painting, welding, and structural repairs, using volunteer labor and training programs. This includes prior $250,000 in restoration work at Lyons Shipyard in Virginia before relocating the ship to New York City.
- Operating the USCGC LILAC as a museum ship for public education and community engagementPreserves and operates the historic USCGC LILAC as a docked museum vessel in New York City, offering free public access to exhibits, self-guided and docent-led tours, and educational programming focused on maritime history, Coast Guard heritage, and buoy maintenance. The ship is open to the public on weekends at Pier 25 in Manhattan, with additional private and group tours available by appointment.
- Providing maritime education through public programs and downloadable resourcesHosts educational activities including lectures, exhibits, performances, and cultural events aboard the LILAC, supported by trained docents and volunteer staff. Offers free downloadable educational materials such as a Coast Guard coloring book, paper model templates of the LILAC and buoys, and video instructions for making paper boats to extend learning beyond the ship.
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Oral History Collection and Preservation 1 activity
- Preserving historical records and oral histories of the LILAC and its crewCollects, records, and maintains archival materials, oral histories, and memorabilia from LILAC veterans and crew members through videography and documentation projects. Organizes and preserves historical documents related to the ship’s service and operations.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Supporting visitor services and organizational operations through volunteer engagementUtilizes volunteers as Gangway Greeters to welcome visitors and share the ship’s history, and engages volunteers in administrative tasks such as bookkeeping, press release writing, data entry, fundraising outreach, and event coordination to support daily operations and programming.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$120K
Contributions & grants$114K95%
Program service revenue$6K5%
Investment income$6991%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$89K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$27K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$248K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$246K
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -36.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JIM GARDNER | BOARD MEMBER | 20 | $25K |
board members · 4
- BRIAN FLANAGAN — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH CASEY — BOARD MEMBER
- MARY HABSTRITT — MUSEUM DIRECTOR
- TIMOTHY DRING — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Arlo Hotels Partner — Partner hotel offering military discounts for visitors traveling to New York City.
- Board of Trustees and Museum Director Partner — Governing body responsible for leadership and management of the Lilac Preservation Project.
- Coast Guard Government — Crew attend Coast Guard reunions and the organization maintains historical ties to the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Council of Advisors Partner — Non-voting advisory group of mariners, engineers, and historians supporting the preservation and interpretation of USCGC LILAC.
- Omni Berkshire Place Partner — Partner hotel offering government and military rates for visitors traveling to New York City.
- The Michelangelo New York Partner — Partner hotel offering military discounts for visitors traveling to New York City.
- Tug Pegasus Preservation Project Partner — Provided temporary ownership of the LILAC vessel until Lilac Preservation Project was formed.
- U.S. Coast Guard Government — Links to the U.S. Coast Guard's official coloring book to educate children about Coast Guard duties and buoy maintenance.
- U.S. Lighthouse Society Partner — Directs families to the U.S. Lighthouse Society's educational resources for children about lighthouses.
- USCGC Lilac Crew Portal Partner — Provides a dedicated crew portal for internal volunteer coordination and access.
- Warwick Hotels Partner — Partner hotel offering military discounts for visitors traveling to New York City.
- Westgate New York Grand Central Partner — Partner hotel offering military discounts for visitors traveling to New York City.
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.
- Experiential Learning Through Working Restorationmethodology: working-restoration-site engagementBy integrating public access with an active ship restoration environment, we enhance educational engagement because visitors gain a tangible connection to history and craftsmanship through exposure to real conservation work and safety protocols.
- Extended Learning Through Narrative and Online Engagementmethodology: experiential_learning_extensionBy supplementing on-site experiences with online activities and historical narratives, we reinforce educational outcomes because storytelling and digital extensions help sustain visitor connection and understanding beyond physical access.
- Historic Vessel as Educational Platformmethodology: historic-site-based-educationBy preserving and operating the historic ship LILAC as a floating museum, we provide experiential maritime education and community engagement because immersive, place-based learning deepens public understanding of history, technology, and service.
- Volunteer-Driven Heritage Engagementmethodology: heritage-based_volunteer_mobilizationBy mobilizing volunteers of all skill levels in hands-on restoration, we strengthen community ownership and advance preservation because linking personal service to maritime heritage fosters deeper engagement and educational impact.