Donate
Why Your Donation Matters
As we begin our off season work of getting our boats and facilities ready for 2026 we need your support. Program fees only cover around half of our annual operating costs. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution. MDI Community Sailing Center was the first of its kind in the State of Maine in 1996. We are a true grass roots organization and rely on on donations to continue our important work.
2025 was a record year for MDI Community Sailing with enrollment of junior and adult sailors at an all-time high. 225 young sailors participated in our junior program and over 100 adults. Students learned not only how to sail and race, but leadership skills too: decision making , responsibility and teamwork.
Community
“Community” has always been the cornerstone of our program and this past season we kept our pledge to ensure that all youngsters across Mount Desert Island had the opportunity to learn to sail.
Our commitment to developing young sailors also extends to the MDI High School Sailing Team. In spring, the MDI High team sails nearly every day after school and competes in regattas up and down the mid-Maine coast. In autumn, we offer after school sailing to both MDI middle and high school students. The MDI High School Sailing Team was the first in the State of Maine in 1988. The team has called the Sailing Center home since its inception.
We ended the 2025 season by hosting six regional teams in the final regatta of the Penobscot Bay Sailing Association. The MDI High School team is now looking forward to racing in 2026 with nine sets of new North 420 Sails! made possible by donations from our supporters.
“Community” is also a hallmark of our adult sailing program, too. We now offer programs four evenings a week. We also offer access to our sailboat fleet to experienced sailors and their families.
Testimonials From Our Sailors
“I’ve been sailing at the center for truly as long as I can remember. To put into words what the sailing center means to me is nearly impossible. Throughout my childhood it has been a rock; a reliable place that always welcomed me. The center has undoubtedly been one of the biggest influences in my life. Beyond learning how to sail and becoming comfortable on the water, the center has taught me values and lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Some examples of this are leadership, respect, teamwork, perseverance, and so many more. In addition to this, the center has helped form some of my most valued relationships, both with friends and mentors. Without question I’m a better person because of my time spent at the center.”
— Alex Donahue
“The sailing center has brought untold joy and positive growth for my daughter, Antonia Burns. She has spent most of her summers there since she was 7 or 8 years old, and it truly feels like a wonderful second home to her. In addition to becoming an excellent sailor, she has developed confidence, leadership, and teaching skills and formed close, lasting friendships.”
— Jessica Stewart
“When I first stepped onto the docks here as a young camper, I had no idea how much this place would shape me. What started as summer lessons became a community that pushed me to grow as a sailor, a leader, and a person. Over the years, I’ve taken on roles I never expected, from teaching new sailors their first tacks to helping guide our team through unexpected challenges on the water.
The sailing center has taught me how to stay calm under pressure, make quick decisions, and lead with patience and confidence. These lessons have shaped who I am and continue to influence me well beyond the water.
Your support ensures that more young sailors can have these same transformative experiences. Every donation helps provide the boats, instructors, and resources needed to keep this program strong so that another generation of sailors can step onto the dock, just as I did, and embark on a journey that will shape them for life.”
— Seth Dow
Your Generous Donations Help Us:
-
Keep our boat usage and instruction rates as low as possible
Being accessible and inclusive allows a broader range of individuals to enjoy being on the water
-
Meet our budget each year
This is crucial to maintain financial stability and fulfill our mission year after year. Maintaining our boats and facilities is important.
-
Keep our Clark Point Road headquarters in Southwest Harbor Maine
Keeping our foothold on the harbor and access to docks is critical. Our leased location on the north shore of Southwest Harbor is vitally important
MDI Community Sailing Center is a 501(c)3 organization. Your contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Buy a Boat
For information on boats for sale, or if you would like to donate a boat to MDI Community Sailing, contact Glenn Squires at (207)-244-7905 or at info@mdisailing.org.