Dallas Corinthian Educational Foundation (known as DCEF) was started in the early 1980s as a non-profit organization with the goal to provide sailing instruction and training, as well as water safety and other matters relating to boating activities. Today it remains an active and viable 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
DCEF is not a subsidiary of DCYC. It is a stand-alone non-profit organization. However, DCEF provides the boats for DCYC to carry out its educational program using the facilities of DCYC and to provide certain benefits to DCYC members and others.
DCEF receives its funding by donations of boats, slips and money, which may be tax deductible. All boats and slips must remain in DCEF’s name for one year after receiving for tax purposes. Once that year has expired, DCEF determines whether the boat should be kept for educational use, or whether it should be sold so that the funds can be converted for educational use. DCEF’s main purpose of funding is to provide resources for sailing education for the public, which includes DCYC members.
The adult and junior sailing classes that are held each year are done in conjunction with DCEF and its objectives. DCEF also provides the Optis, Bics, 420s, and Flying Scot sailboats, all of which were either donated to DCEF or purchased by DCEF, for use in the educational program. These boats are pivotal to the educational program at DCYC and we could not hold these sailing classes without the generosity of DCEF and the people who donate.
DCEF is a pivotal force in the junior education program. DCEF provides the Optis that are used during the Junior Sailing Class. These boats are also used for the Aqua Monkeys, our junior sailors who travel across Texas to participate in the TSA Youth Regattas in various fleets. The Junior Sailing program has exploded in 2012 and we expect it to keep growing.
DCEF is also the sponsor of the UNT Sailing Team under the umbrella of University of North Texas. While DCYC also sponsors the UNT Sailing Team as its host club, the boats that they use to practice on and compete in collegiate events were acquired under DCEF. There is currently a fleet of 420s that are equipped to race.
All DCEF boats are earmarked for education in certain areas such as junior (Optis) and collegiate sailing (420s); however, these boats are available for members to use once they have been approved by DCYC’s Education Chairperson. There are certain guidelines that you will be tested on such as rigging, docking, sail care and storage, on-the-water handling, and boat storage. The boats are limited to those who have completed the check-out process so that we can maintain the boats for longer use in the future. Information will be made available on DCYC’s website on how to checkout any of these boats.
Currently we have received donations through various fundraising events. Because of the increase in participation in the junior program and UNT sailing program, and in order to keep our current boats in working order, as well as obtaining additional boats as needed for the junior and adult programs, DCYC will be holding several fundraising events throughout the year. Keep an eye on email blasts for opportunities to participate in a fundraising event!
DCEF has a board comprised of individuals that are part of DCYC, but not currently serving on the DCYC board. These board members determine whether distribution of funds fall within the guidelines of their non-profit status. In addition, certain funds are earmarked to a certain activity, such as the UNT Sailing Fund, Junior Educational Fund or Adult Sailing Fund, and a representative from DCYC is assigned to each of these funds to head up both fundraising efforts and to preliminarily approve distributions.
We hope that this has answered any questions you have regarding DCEF. If you have any further questions, please contact Carolyn or Darrel Janssen (214-558-3211, janssen.d@sbcglobal.net).
Carolyn Patterson Janssen, DCEF President
Darrel Janssen, DCEF Treasurer/Secretary