Diamond Lake Youth Sailing Endowment Fund
Home > Diamond Lake Youth Sailing Fund
Support Our Mission
Diamond Lake Youth Sailing Endowment Fund
The Diamond Lake Youth Sailing Endowment Funds (DLYSEF) supports the purchase of sailboats for the youth program, youth sailing scholarships and related youth sailing activities on Diamond Lake and is open to all the residents of Cass County. The main emphasis is teaching youth sailors the fundamentals and joy of this lifelong activity.
The DLYSEF is a 501(c)(3) organization created under the umbrella of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation of Buchanan Michigan. As with other endowment funds the principle (your contribution) will be held by the Foundation in perpetuity and only the interest earnings will be spent on an annual basis. The fund was established in 2019 with a large anonymous gift. Fundraising has substantially increased this first gift with the goal of having $200,000 in the fund.
Historically, the boats used in the youth program (Opti’s, Sunfish, Butterfly’s and 420's ) have been donated by interested club members. This has led to a fleet that is at an advanced age (our newest sunfish is 42 years old). The idea behind the endowment fund is to create a long term and stable funding source that will bring down the average age of the fleet (we have 30 plus boats) to ten years. In addition, the youth program is committed to helping any youth in Cass County be part of the sailing program. The endowment fund will support scholarships for sailing classes. With the explosion of interest in the DLYC Youth sailing program we need to update the fleet and offer sailing opportunities to all the interested youth in the County
​
How to Donate Online
We're thrilled that you're considering a donation to support our cause! To make your generous contribution via check or credit card, please follow these simple steps:
-
Start the Donation Process: Begin by clicking the button below. This will take you to our trusted Gateway Foundation page, where all donations are securely processed.
-
Navigate to Donation: Once you're on the Gateway Foundation page, look for the "DONATE NOW" button located in the upper right corner of the webpage. Click on it to proceed.
-
Designate Your Donation: In the 'Fund' section, please ensure to select "Diamond Lake Youth Sailing Fund." This ensures your donation directly supports the cause you're passionate about.
-
Choose Your Donation Amount: Decide on the amount you wish to donate. You can select from predefined options or enter a custom amount that you're comfortable with.
-
Select Donation Frequency: Specify whether your generous gift is a one-time contribution or if you'd like to set up a recurring donation to continually support our efforts.
-
Submit Your Donation: After filling out all the necessary details, click the "Submit" button to finalize your donation.
​
​
Final Steps
After submitting, you'll receive a confirmation message and, depending on your payment method, additional instructions or acknowledgments. We deeply appreciate your support and commitment to our cause. Your donation will make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.
​
How To Donate Via Check
Checks can also be sent directly to the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation at:
111 Days Avenue,
Buchanan, Michigan 49107
Please note on the memo line on the face of the check that it is for the Diamond Lake Youth Sailing Endowment Fund, and it will be credited appropriately.
Lastly, a number of people have elected to pledge a larger amount over time. Click here to set up your pledge that allows multiyear gifts to be made.
