Juniors in Boating · Mission Bay Yacht Club
Hugh Vanderspek MBYC Junior Endowment Fund
A permanent fund securing the future of youth sailing at Mission Bay Yacht Club — for this generation of junior sailors, and every one that follows.
Hugh Vanderspek was a past MBYC Commodore and a passionate, lifelong advocate for our junior sailors. This permanent fund, established in his name, will ensure the future of youth sailing at MBYC and the junior program he championed thrives for generations to come.
Our Founding Donor Campaign Goal
The founding window is open now. Join the members whose names will be permanently tied to the fund that secures youth sailing at Mission Bay.
Thank You, Founding Donors
Our greatest appreciation to our current founding donors. Please contact us for information on becoming a donor.
- Art Athans
- Cindy Vanderspek
- Tillson Family
Why It Matters
The junior program is the lifeblood of our club.
It Builds Our Youth
On the water, young sailors learn to trust their instincts and take ownership of their path. Captaining their own craft builds the self-confidence and maturity needed to navigate all of life.
Beyond the sport itself, they gain lifelong friendships, a deep respect for nature, and a community they can always return to, whether as competitive racers, weekend cruisers, or passionate lovers of the ocean.
It Perpetuates Our Sport & Culture
MBYC was founded nearly a century ago to “Perpetuate Corinthian Yachting and the Sportsmanship and Fellowship Incident Thereto.” No part of our club advances that mission more than the junior program.
Sailing bridges the years, parents and grandparents sail with and against their kids. We are creating lifelong sailors and sailing families that keep MBYC strong and vibrant.
It Gives Back to Our Community
Our junior program is the largest contributor in fulfilling MBYC’s Public Purpose lease with the City of San Diego, introducing sailing to the wider community. Each summer we train over 230 junior sailors, with a third coming to us from outside our membership.
As San Diego’s largest high school sailing program, we keep 75+ athletes from six local high schools on the water in our fleet of FJs.
“The purpose of the MBYC Junior Program is to create lifelong sailors & sailing families.”
Why an Endowment
From year-to-year fundraising to permanent stability.
An endowment follows one rigid rule: the principal is never spent. Contributions are professionally invested, and each year 5% of the fund's average value is distributed to the MBYC Junior Program — a steady, reliable income stream that funds top-tier coaching, regatta travel, coach boats and sails, training technology, and scholarships. No matter how club budgets shift, the juniors never sink or swim on a single year's budget vote.
The model is proven. San Diego YC, St. Francis YC, and Newport Harbor YC built junior endowments in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s — today those funds guarantee a funding floor for their programs every single year. Ours is managed by Juniors in Boating in partnership with The San Diego Foundation.
Donor Levels & Recognition
Gifts of every amount are welcome and appreciated — founding levels receive lasting recognition.
Gold
$10,000
- Name engraved on the perpetual donor trophy
- Custom take-home Founders Trophy
- Exclusive Junior Endowment burgee & premium donor pin
- VIP invitation & seating at the year-end junior banquet
- Premier recognition in the Mainstay
Silver
$5,000
- Name engraved on the perpetual donor trophy
- Exclusive Junior Endowment burgee & premium donor pin
- Invitation to the year-end junior banquet
- Recognition in the Mainstay
Bronze
$2,500
- Name engraved on the perpetual donor trophy
- Premium donor pin
- Invitation to the year-end junior banquet
- Recognition in the Mainstay
How to Give
Become a founding donor.
Founding donations are payable by check to Juniors in Boating, with “Hugh Vanderspek MBYC Junior Endowment Fund” on the memo line. All donations are tax deductible. Contact David Tillson, email endowment@juniorsinboating.org or submit the form below with any questions.
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Held by Juniors in Boating, a nonprofit founded 40 years ago by MBYC members, and managed in partnership with The San Diego Foundation.