named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Sailing for Veterans
Provides therapeutic sailing opportunities to disabled veterans as a means of support and rehabilitation.
Veterans Support Network
Establishes and maintains a peer network to provide ongoing emotional and practical support for veterans.
Workshops in Sailing Practices
Conducts educational workshops focused on teaching safe operation and maintenance of sailboats to veterans.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 2 activities
- Maritime history and educational programming for veteransProvides veterans and their families opportunities to learn about local maritime history and engage in educational sailing experiences aboard the Oyster Sloop Priscilla.
- Recreational and skill-building sailing programs for veteransOrganizes regular sailboat racing events and workshops in sailing practices for veterans, including disabled veterans, with weekly races held in Oyster Bay and participation from multiple military branches and active-duty personnel.
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Mental Health Education and Awareness 1 activity
- Advocacy campaigns on veteran suicide preventionHosts public events, presentations, and awareness campaigns to raise visibility around PTSD and veteran suicide, including the symbolic use of the number 219 to represent lives lost and the goal of saving one veteran life through advocacy and sailing programs.
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Guided Outdoor Expedition Programs 1 activity
- Birding and outdoor excursions for veteransExpands outdoor programming for veterans to include birding excursions on the water in Oyster Bay Harbor and the National Wildlife Refuge, with planned seasonal outings to promote connection with nature, skill-building, and community.
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Memorial and Veteran Honor Services 1 activity
- Memorial initiative to honor veterans lost to suicideMaintains the 'Our Mates' memorial initiative, including a display of over 219 name tags representing veterans who died by suicide, to honor their memories and highlight the urgency of the veteran suicide crisis.
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Veteran Benefits and Reintegration Support 1 activity
- Sailing therapy for veterans with PTSDProvides free sailing therapy and structured sailing experiences as a therapeutic intervention to support healing and mental wellness among veterans, particularly those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including family-inclusive events and multi-day programs.
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Veterans' Social and Gathering Clubs 1 activity
- Support network development for veteransEstablishes and maintains a support network for veterans through ongoing programming, community events, and peer engagement to foster connection and resilience.
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Veteran Story Preservation & Public Education 1 activity
- Veteran memorial and community healing eventsOrganizes memorial sailing events and community gatherings, such as the annual U.S. Marine Corps LCpl Michael Edward Blanco Memorial Sail, and facilitates events where families of deceased veterans can share stories, find closure, and support struggling veterans.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$22K
Contributions & grants$22K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$18K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$11K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$7K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +35.9%
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- 7x24 Exchange Metro NY Chapter Funder — Provided a $5,000 donation to support SailAhead's programs.
- 7x24 Exchange Metro NY Chapter Partner — Provided a $5,000 donation to support SailAhead's programs for veterans.
- American Legion Post 1244 Riders Partner — Participates in SailAhead's veteran sailing event.
- Babylon Yacht Club Partner — Co-hosted the 6th Annual U.S. Marine Corps LCpl Michael Edward Blanco Memorial Sail.
- Bryan Cotton Partner — Former Royal Engineer and longtime advocate who facilitated the connection between SailAhead and the 7x24 Exchange Metro NY Chapter.
- CI Bird Sanctuary Partner — Partners with SailAhead to lead birding excursions for veterans, providing naturalist guides and expertise during on-water wildlife observation programs.
- CI Bird Sanctuary Partner — Supported SailAhead's birding activities in Oyster Bay's National Wildlife Refuge.
- CYC Partner — Partners with CYC, as evidenced by Bob Slingo's role as CYC Event Co-chair.
- Centerport Yacht Club Partner — Collaborates with SailAhead to host a large-scale sailing event for veterans and their families.
- County Executive's Office Government — Recognized for supporting SailAhead's engagement with the Veterans Committee.
- Legislator Chad Lennon Partner — Invited SailAhead to present before the Suffolk County Veterans Committee.
- Legislator Rebecca Sanin Partner — Supported efforts to bring SailAhead before the Suffolk County Veterans Committee.
- Long Island Maritime Museum Partner — Collaborates to provide veterans and their families with maritime education and sailing experiences.
- Stirling Harbor Foundation Partner — Collaborates with SailAhead to provide access to the classic sailboat Judy for veteran racing programs in Oyster Bay.
- Stirling Harbor Foundation Partner — Supported SailAhead's veteran sailing and birding programs in Oyster Bay.
- Suffolk County PD Partner — Supports SailAhead's veteran sailing event with a helicopter presence.
- Suffolk County Veterans Committee Government — Hosted SailAhead's presentation on veteran support programs.
- Suffolk County Veterans Committee Partner — Presented to the committee to share SailAhead's mission and programming for veterans.
- TYC Partner — Collaborates with TYC for event coordination, as evidenced by Bill Foulk's role as TYC Event Coordinator.
- US Merchant Marine Academy Partner — Provides volunteers for SailAhead's veteran sailing event.
- info@sailahead.org Partner — Point of contact for inquiries about custom email addresses.
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.
- Community-Partnered Sailing Accessmethodology: community-partnered eventsBy partnering with local yacht clubs and community organizations, the organization lowers barriers to participation and expands reach because leveraging existing maritime infrastructure and volunteer networks enables sustainable, localized programming that integrates veterans into civilian communities.
- Sailing-Based Therapeutic Communitymethodology: sailing_therapyBy engaging veterans in sailing and shared maritime experiences, the organization fosters peer support, brotherhood, and connection, which promote mental health recovery and reduce isolation because the structured yet calming environment of the water provides a non-clinical therapeutic space that builds trust and emotional resilience.
- Symbolic Engagement for Suicide Prevention Advocacymethodology: symbolic representation for suicide preventionBy using the symbolic number 219, the organization represents and advances the goal of preventing one veteran suicide through community engagement, sailing, and advocacy, because symbolic narratives make abstract public health goals personally meaningful and mobilize public support.