Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Fellow Members,
I am pleased to rejoin the VYCCF as Chair with the strong support of an excellent Committee, named below. We thank past Chair Wayne Hall and past Committee members for their service. In FY2015, ending October 31, the VYCCF received contributions of $37,000 and made grants of $66,000, including funds to complete the 2014 Signature Project.

Our Mission is to do the most good for the most people at risk by supporting and enhancing the cumulative goodwill of the VYC membership to service the needs of our community. Since November 2010, we have received donations of $340,000 and granted $238,000 to local charities. New this year, we will grant 85% of your donations received in each grant cycle, with the balance retained to maintain a consistent level of support to the community in periods of reduced donations.

Over 50% of students in our community are on food assistance, their families unable to provide them three meals a day. The problem is particularly acute in the summer, when many students are unable to receive meals from schools or local food banks. In addition, 30% of third grade students in our community cannot read at grade level and 60% of children third grade and below do not have age appropriate books in their homes. These statistics imply that a large portion of youth in our community will struggle to reach their potential due to a lack of nutritional and educational support.

We are excited to announce our FY2016 Signature Project, FEED THE HUNGER, FEED THE MIND, a two-pronged project aimed at providing children and families at risk nutritional meals and literacy assistance, particularly during the summer months when the lack of support results in a regression of skills. We have set a FY2016 goal to raise $100,000 and to receive contributions from 25 first-time donors to support this effort. More details on this project will be provided in the next issue of the Currents and in discussions at the Club. You may follow our progress on the VYC web home page.

To recognize our donors, we are relaunching the VYCCF Captain's Circle for VYC members donating $100 or more. Captain's Circle members will receive a lapel pin to signify them as donors who are helping to make a difference in our community. We appreciate the continuing support of our VYC members.

Respectfully submitted,
Michael Nemser, Chair

VYCCF Committee:
Michael Nemser - Chair, Commodore Jim DeNiro, Joan Bowen, Kevin Collins, P/C Joe Dombrowski, P/C Merle Graser, Warren Major, Paul Nasipak, John O’Donnell and P/C Melinda Short.

Charting a course to a better community…