Rya Foundation

The RYA Foundation, established as the national charity of the Royal Yachting Association, drives a mission to break down barriers to boating and sailing participation for those disadvantaged by disability, age, infirmity, financial hardship, or social circumstances. Rooted in values of inclusivity, empowerment, and integration, it champions equitable access to the developmental benefits of water-based sports, prioritizing impact-driven grants that foster measurable, sustained engagement. Its philosophy emphasizes practical interventions enabling long-term participation, community partnerships with clubs and Sailability groups, and capacity building to transform exclusion into belonging through grassroots boating providers.

It funds inclusive boating programmes and adaptive interventions for disabled people of all ages including physical disabilities and complex health needs, children and young people facing social exclusion, economic disadvantage, or barriers to youth development, and committed young sailors unable to afford competitive opportunities. Supported activities encompass purchasing access boats, safety equipment, and adaptive infrastructure; programme delivery for therapeutic outdoor activities and sports participation; staff and volunteer training in inclusive practices; youth funds enabling mentoring, skills training, and competitive sailing; and infrastructure enhancing sustained engagement in Sailability sites. These target problems of isolation, limited recreation access, and developmental gaps, promoting person-centred, community-led solutions like peer-inclusive sailing sessions, resilience-building water sports, and early intervention for at-risk youth through holistic, trauma-informed boating experiences that boost confidence, physical health, and social connections.

Exclusions include core costs, unrestricted grants, profit-distributing organizations, and statutory bodies, focusing solely on RYA-affiliated clubs, Sailability groups, and charitable boating providers with robust safeguarding and governance. Distinctive priorities favor projects addressing boating-specific exclusion for disabled individuals, economically disadvantaged youth, and socially isolated participants in underserved communities, valuing evidence-based outcomes in participation growth, partnership-driven capacity building, and transformative individual support for high-potential young sailors demonstrating commitment and need.