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The Rhode Island Yacht Club Educational Foundation took a significant step forward in 2023 when it began exploring how to maximize the impact of a generous legacy gift from long-time club member, Susan Quackenbush. Under the leadership of its president, Dr. Linford Fisher, the organization saw an opportunity to transform this meaningful bequest into a sustainable resource for maritime education and community outreach.  

As an Associate Professor of History at Brown University and an advocate for accessibility, Fisher, together with his board, envisioned the creation of an endowment to break down traditional barriers to sailing education and invite broader community participation. "The community connection is what we want to focus on, to move beyond the reputation of exclusivity that yacht clubs have," explains Fisher.  

Susan's bequest reflects her lifetime passions for sailing and education. As a member of Cranston’s Rhode Island Yacht Club for over 30 years alongside her husband, Peter, a past commodore of the RIYC, she embodied the transformative power of early exposure to sailing – having introduced her own son to the water when he was just two months old. This intentional gift following her passing was an investment in ensuring others would experience the joy and growth that comes from connecting with the water.  

Established in 1998, the Rhode Yacht Club Educational Foundation’s mission is to encourage and further boating through education and training. The Foundation’s programs include free public events and seminars on topics ranging from Narragansett Bay’s environmental health to Rhode Island's lighthouses to ocean racing. In partnership with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, they offer classes on navigation, GPS usage, and VHF radio operation, as well as boater safety certification.

"We view this fund as a way to raise awareness for our organization; a way to educate and invite people into the amazing community of sailing and enjoying the water," Fisher notes. While the Rhode Island Yacht Club Educational Foundation also offers scholarships for sailing and boating-related classes annually to club members and their families, they're working to extend these opportunities throughout the Edgewood community, particularly to those who might not otherwise have access to sailing experiences.

The decision to establish this organizational endowment with the Rhode Island Foundation provided Fisher and his board with both security and growth potential. "The permanence attracted me," says Fisher. "This wonderful gift is honored, protected, and respected. It's not getting lost, and we'll continue to grow this investment for future sailors."