Great Harbor Yacht Club Grants $250K For Harbor Health Initiatives

The Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation (GHYC Foundation) announced this month that it has distributed $250,000 through its semi-annual grants to support a range of harbor health initiatives driven by its island partners.

The GHYC Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health of Nantucket Harbor and its marine ecosystems.

This year's grant recipients span a diverse array of causes, including community outreach. One recipient is the Nantucket Conservation Foundation (NCF), which received three grants including funds to purchase kayaks to enhance and expand its kayak paddle educational trips through Folger’s Marsh and the adjacent harbor.

"The support from GHYC Foundation will be a game-changer for our program," said Neil Foley, Interpretive Education Coordinator / Ecologist of NCF. "With this funding, we can expand our reach and offer more experiences to both island residents and summer visitors."

Other notable recipients include: the Maria Mitchell Association, which received funding for its Nantucket Harbor monitoring buoy and the organization's ongoing scallop research and mentoring program; UMass Boston and Polpis Field Station, which received funding for its microplastic and eelgrass molecular research; Oika – to help bring arts and sciences together; and the Town of Nantucket/Natural Resources Department, which is spearheading a comprehensive Eelgrass Management Plan, funded primarily by GHYC Foundation.

Each organization was chosen for its dedication to addressing critical issues such as water quality monitoring, scallop research and education, eelgrass management, and assessing microplastic pollution in Nantucket Harbor. Applicants are chosen through a rigorous review process that evaluates the feasibility and potential of their projects to create sustainable change.

While almost $250,000 was distributed to community-based organizations through this year's cycle, GHYC Foundation has granted approximately $750,000 to almost 20 organizations over the past few years. (See chart)

“GHYC Foundation believes in empowering organizations that have a deep understanding of Nantucket Harbor’s needs," said Joe Smialowski, GHYC Foundation Board member. "These grants represent a shared vision for a healthy harbor to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, and we are excited to see how each of these projects will evolve."

For more information on the grants or to find out how to get involved, visit https://www.ghycfoundation.org/. There are also details on how to apply for the next round of grants. The Foundation will again host its Harbor Health Symposium in October which brings together their in-house Scientific Advisors along with on-island partners to work collaboratively to improve the health of the Harbor. Dates are to be confirmed, and sessions are open to the public.