FUNDING THE PLAN · HOW ESA WORKS
Our operations
Our small team keeps children sailing, boats ready and programmes connected. Community support and earned income make that work possible.
How we operate
ESA is a nonprofit social enterprise funded by lessons, rentals, camps and visiting programmes, alongside donations and grants. After covering costs, we reinvest all surplus in free and subsidised youth sailing, instructor training, local jobs and fleet care.
ACTUAL ACCOUNTS · LATEST COMPLETED YEAR
Season 6 · July 2025–June 2026
Where support came from
- Donations$81,700
- Grants$27,200
- Programme and activity revenue$60,486
- Other income$3,400
Programme income: school sailing, lessons, memberships, rentals and regattas.
July–September 2026: revenue $48,587 · expenses $37,427.
Our finances over time
Season 8 budget
July 2027–June 2028
Why grow from about $170,000 to $240,000?
Season 6 cost $172,923 to run. The Season 8 budget builds on that work: paying and developing a stronger local team, reaching more children through schools and camps, and supporting the extra activity with dependable transport, equipment care and administration.
| Season 6 · actual total expenses | $172,923 |
|---|---|
| Season 8 · planned annual budget | $240,000 |
| Increase · approximately 39% | $67,077 |
What the increase makes possible
| Investment | Why the cost grows |
|---|---|
| People and instructor training | Build dependable paid coaching roles, with experienced mentoring and time to train Bahamian instructors alongside regular lessons. The annual instructor course has a $10,000 budget to train six participants and certify two instructors. |
| More regular programmes | Deliver more school sailing, camps and community sessions, while welcoming visiting programmes. More activity requires more coaching hours, preparation and programme coordination. |
| Transport and fleet care | Support access to sessions and events, move coaches and equipment, and keep the existing boats and watersports equipment ready for more frequent use. Fuel, servicing, repairs and supplies grow with participation. |
| Administration and facilities | Provide the practical support a larger programme needs: school agreements, family communication, schedules, accounts, insurance and a reliable base for teaching and boat care. |
The aim is to turn a small-team operation into a programme with the people and practical support to grow consistently. The $240,000 covers the whole year’s operations, including the existing work and these improvements.
FUNDING THE INCREASE
How we plan to bring in the additional income
Compared with Season 6 expenses, the larger budget requires about $70,000 more each year. We plan to meet that increase through higher programme revenue and increased donations.
Increase programme revenue
Build regular school partnerships, grow camps and lessons, and welcome more visiting schools and sailing groups. Rentals and other paid activities also help cover operating costs.
Grow donations
Invite existing supporters to renew and increase their support, bring in new donors and sponsors, and build recurring giving to sustain local jobs, training and youth access.
These are income targets we are working towards. Programme growth and fundraising must support the larger annual budget.
The $50,000 van purchase and import campaign is separate. Day-to-day transport costs form part of the annual operating budget.