Our 2013 annual report

STRENGTH
ON THE WATER
SUCCESS
IN THE CLASSROOM
CONFIDENCE
FOR LIFE
ROW NEW YORK
ANNUAL REPORT 2013
OUR MISSION
Row New York began in 2002 with the simple idea
that competitive rowing paired with rigorous academic
support for underserved youth could change the
trajectory of their teen years and beyond. We have
since taught thousands of young people the sport of
rowing, and through it the values of tenacity, focus,
teamwork, and confidence.
And in return, they make us proud.
Row New York teams have medaled at the New
York State championships for five years in a row, and
regularly hold their own at regional regattas against
athletes who have every advantage. Nearly 100% of
our graduates go on to higher learning, most on
scholarship. And virtually all our student-athletes
report an improved lifestyle and newfound pride and
purpose.
In 2013, we served 228 middle schoolers and high
schoolers in our year-round intensive program, and
over 2,200 across all our programs, including PE
classes for those at risk of obesity, summer camps,
para-rowing for athletes with physical and/or cognitive
disabilities, fitness classes and learn-to-row sessions,
adult rowing, and corporate team-building days.
We remain as passionate as ever about the power of
rowing to transform lives.
MESSAGE FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friends of Row New York,
What an adventure this past year has been! In 2013, we celebrated a
decade of success and saw the completion of our inaugural year of
operations at a second boathouse, which enabled us to double the
number of youth we serve year-round and to open our program for
the first time to boys. We hosted the Peter Jay Sharp Regatta on the Harlem River, formed our first
competitive para-rowing team (which promptly won gold at the Head of the Anacostia and Head
of the Schuylkill regattas), refined our program metrics and introduced new social/emotional
growth benchmarks, expanded our middle school summer program, and launched our first ever
summer camp.
We marked our first ten years with a memorable gala at the Central Park Boathouse. But the real
celebration happens every day, on a weekday morning when one of our student-athletes aces an
exam or in the afternoon when he or she achieves a personal best time at practice. It is exhilarating
to see our kids, many of whom come to us without knowing how to swim, out on the water every
day, getting stronger, faster, and more self-assured.Years after they’ve picked up their first oar, so
many of our alumni come back to tell us that the lessons they learned at Row New York inspire
them to excellence in adulthood. Our college students tell us they are more determined, more
positive, and better communicators thanks to the thousands of hours they spent in Row New York
racing shells and in our classrooms. I am continually inspired by our kids’ will to succeed.
Because of their example, we are eager to do more. We are exploring an expansion to a third
program site, in southern Brooklyn, to bring our model of whole-child empowerment to even
more vulnerable youth. And we are in the early stages of developing a vision for a Row New York
flagship boathouse. It is a time of tremendous growth and excitement for us.
For now, a sincere and hearty thank you to everyone who makes possible our mission of helping
kids fulfill their promise: our stellar coaching and academic team, financial supporters, parents,
board members, volunteers—and this year, four Row New York alumni who have joined our staff
to help mentor a new generation of Row New Yorkers.
Onward to our second decade!
With gratitude,
Amanda Kraus
Executive Director
OUR BOATHOUSES
s
The beautiful Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse
on the Harlem River in upper Manhattan
Conceived by New York Restoration Project and
designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, this floating
boathouse opened to the community in 2004. Row
New York was selected by NYRP to take over
management of the facility in 2012, and half of our
programming now takes place there. The Peter Jay
Sharp Boathouse is also home to several races
sponsored by Row New York each spring and
summer: the Harlem River Classic, Heroes Row
the Harlem, and the Peter Jay Sharp Regatta.
The historic World’s Fair Boathouse on
Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona
Park, Queens
Built for the 1939 World’s Fair, this boathouse is
where Row New York launched in 2002, with one
borrowed boat and eight eager rowers. Half of our
year-round activities and all our para-rowing programs
take place here. The boathouse sits on New York
City’s largest lake, at 93 acres, and underwent a
major renovation in 2011.
t
THE NEED FOR ROW NEW YORK
Locally and nationally, the figures are stark. One-third of children and teens in New York State are overweight or obese—
a condition linked to health issues, learning deficiencies, and higher rates of stress and depression. A mere 9% of children
from low-income families obtain a college degree. And just 6% of students at the nation’s 200 most selective colleges come
from the bottom income quartile. Through regular physical training and academic support, we strive to change the story told
each year by such numbers.
Last Year:
66%
of New York City public high school students graduated—
an all-time high.
of Row New York high school
students graduated.
100%
All of Row New York’s
student-athletes are
engaged in long-term,
small-group tutoring and
sustained academic
advisement.
The average ratio of students to guidance counselors
in urban areas is 411 to 1.
And nationwide,
school counselors provide
on average only
38 minutes of college
admissions advice
per high school
student.
800
1200
1600
2000
2400
Our student-athletes come to us
from all over NYC
46 High schools
20 Middle schools
from all over the world
30% are first-generation Americans
25% are immigrants
and represent the great diversity
of our city:
46% Hispanic
24% African-American
18% white
5% Asian
7% Native American,
Middle Eastern
& others
46%
24%
18%
A customized “college
roadmap” is developed for
every high school student,
including guidance in
identifying good matches,
campus visits, help in
completing the Free
Application for Federal
Student Aid and admissions
applications, and, during their freshman years at college, regular email and
phone contact, care packages, and visits when necessary.
In 2013, New York State’s
average SAT score was 1463.
Row New Yorkers’
average SAT score was 1856.
The College Board’s college and career
readiness benchmark score of 1550
indicates a high likelihood of college success.
Row New York
graduates who
go to college:
NYS high school
graduates who
go to college:
98%
69%
7%*
5%
Nationally, of those
who enter college, only
graduate.
53%
Among college-going
Row New Yorkers, the
graduation rate is
90%
PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH
ERA: Empowerment through Rowing
and Academics
This intensive program provided over a thousand
hours of physical and scholastic training for 140
9th–12th graders in the past year, including Regents
and SAT prep, and college readiness support. We
make the application process less daunting, especially
important for our students who are the first in their
families to be college-bound, which was true of
nearly a third of our seniors in 2013.
PREP: Pre-competitive Rowing
Exposure Program
This year-round program served 88 6th–8th graders
in 2013, combining two days a week of athletic training with up to three days a week of comprehensive
tutoring, with a view toward transitioning these student-athletes to ERA participation.
Our goals for all ERA and PREP participants
include improved academic performance as measured
by regular in-house assessments, increased fitness as
measured by regular one-mile runs, rowing machine
(erg) tests, and BMI measurement, taking responsibility
in building a successful team, increasing boat speed, and
developing an enhanced sense of self and community.
Training includes on-water rowing in boats of four
and eight from March through October and indoor
strength, cardio, and erg training from November
through February.
Our student-athletes are also provided swim lessons,
hot meals at tutoring sessions, workshops on nutrition
and reproductive health, presentations by professionals
in a wide range of careers, and, for at-risk youth, access
to a social worker and help in navigating appropriate
support services.
Indoor Programs
Row New York works with the NYC Department of
Education to partner with middle schools that have a
significant number of students at risk of obesity. Serving
1,500 adolescents in 2013, this program provides three
to six weeks of high-quality fitness activities, including
an introduction to proper rowing techniques.
And in 2013, we spearheaded partnerships with
Horizon Juvenile Center in the South Bronx and
Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brownsville, Brooklyn,
to provide youth in locked detention the chance to
mitigate daily stress and violence and become fit through
indoor rowing. As a result, participants prove to be
more focused, calm, and connected to staff and peers.
Row New York Summer Camps
In 2013, over 200 6th–12th graders spent part of
their summer with Row New York, enjoying teamwork, fitness, and outdoor fun.
Our year-round middle-school program expanded its
summer offerings to six weeks and focused on literacy
skills. Student-athletes met five days a week, combining
morning athletic training with four afternoons a week
of classroom activities and one day a week of educational fieldtrips.The program culminated in a community
service day and a middle school scrimmage on the
Harlem River.
We also hosted a four-week summer camp for anyone
wanting to try rowing—and at the Queens boathouse,
we continued our partnerships with other NYC youthserving organizations to provide their participants with
free summer rowing experience. Rising sophomores
and juniors from our year-round ERA program serve
as summer leaders in this program, to help teach their
younger counterparts about the principles and rewards
of rowing.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Row New York graduates are currently enrolled at:
Adelphi University
Barnard College
Brigham Young University–Idaho
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
The City College of New York
Colby College
Denison University
Fairfield University
Fordham University
Georgetown University
Hunter College
Iona College
LaGuardia Community College
Macalester College
Manhattan College
Maritime College
Nassau Community College
New York City College of Technology
Purchase College
Queens College
Queensborough Community College
Rutgers University
Smith College
Stetson University
Syracuse University
University of Alabama
University at Buffalo
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Wesleyan University
SUCCESS ON THE WATER
Row New Yorkers made strong showings at the
following races in 2013:
Bayada Regatta
Philadelphia
Capital Sprints Regatta
Washington, DC
The Cooper Cup
Pennsauken, NJ
C.R.A.S.H.–B. Sprints
Boston
Greenwich Invitational
Greenwich, CT
Head of the Anacostia
Washington, DC
Head of the Charles Regatta
Boston
Head of the Passaic Regatta
Lyndhurst, NJ
Head of the Schuylkill Regatta
Philadelphia
Independence Day Regatta
Philadelphia
Long Island Championships
Oyster Bay, NY
NY State Scholastic Championships
Saratoga, NY
Peter Jay Sharp Regatta
New York City
Philadelphia Youth Regatta
Philadelphia
Row for Autism
Port Washington, NY
Strong Island Sprints
South Huntington, NY
PARA-ROWING
Rowing is a sport especially suited to para-athletes
because it can be adapted to different levels of ability.
Those with visual impairments or physical or cognitive
disabilities can all excel as rowers. The safe and supportive environment of our rowing community focuses
on ability—the ability to enhance personal skills, to
commit to teammates, and to push individual limits.
This is especially true for those who may be new
members of the para-community and those who
have never engaged in a sport before. Para-rowers
demonstrate that everyone has a place, has a purpose,
and can thrive. All para-rowing activities are free of
charge and take place at the World’s Fair Boathouse
in Queens, or at our Long Island City studio.
Our School Day Para-Rowing Program takes
place each spring and fall, and provides 16 weeks of
land-based and on-water rowing activities to middle
school students with cognitive or physical disabilities.
Our year-round Recreational Para-Rowing
Program for adult novice rowers with cognitive or
physical disabilities includes both indoor and on-water
instruction. And we open our doors every Saturday
morning for up to 30 participants a week wishing to
try para-rowing for the first time.
In 2013, we launched the Row New York Competitive
Para-Rowing Team, for experienced rowers with
physical disabilities. The five inaugural team members
engage in indoor and on-water training year-round and
represent us at local, regional, and national regattas.
“I was very impressed with the lessons and the procedures. All of my students
In 2013, Row New York’s para-rowing programs
served over 300 youth and adults.
felt safe and were very excited. I have one girl in particular who is non-verbal,
Row New York is a proud U.S. Paralympic Sport Club.
but at the end of the session, in a complete sentence, she said, ‘I am going to
tell my mother, grandmother, and father about rowing.’ Blew us away.”
– DOE District 75 Adaptive PE teacher
PARA-ROWING ADVISORY BOARD
Formed in 2013, the board helps to design our
programs and consults on how we can best serve
the para-athlete community of New York City.
Maria Bournias
Member, Row New York Competitive Para-Rowing
Team
Victor Calise
Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office for People with
Disabilities
Patricia Goldman
Vice President, The J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation
Soo Lee
Member, Row New York Competitive Para-Rowing
Team
Margaret Rajnic
Member, Row New York Competitive Para-Rowing
Team
Dick Traum
President and Founder, Achilles International
Hiroyuki Yamada
Director, NYC DOE District 75 Office of School
Wellness Programs
PROGRAMS FOR
ADULTS
RECREATIONAL ROWING
Anyone wanting to try a new challenge, get fit, and
have fun can be an outstanding rower. Unlike many
other sports, rowing can be learned at any age. For
adults, Row New York offers:
•
Fitness classes for all levels
•
Introductory rowing and sculling taught by our
expert coaches
•
A Masters Recreational Rowing Team
•
A Masters Competitive Rowing Team, which
represents us at local, regional, and
national regattas
All adult training takes place at the Peter Jay Sharp
Boathouse on the Harlem River in Manhattan, or
indoors at our Long Island City studio.
CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING
In goal setting, motivation, and execution, rowing
demands absolute unity. Row New York’s workshops
are one-of-a-kind experiences that help to inspire
teamwork and build trust. Participants learn to row
and balance a boat together, and test their new skills
with friendly competition on the water. Popular
add-ons include medals, t-shirts, a catered lunch, and
happy hour at the boathouse.
$50,000 to $99,999
Arbor Brothers
BP Products North America
Lisa & Dick Cashin
Catalog For Giving of NY City
Thomas Cornacchia
Charles Hayden Foundation
Heckscher Foundation for Children
Maverick Capital Foundation
Pinkerton Foundation
$20,000 to $49,999
Altman Foundation
Lily Auchincloss Foundation
Pamela Brewster
J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation
John Chatzky
J. Michael Evans
Goldring Family Foundation
Gina Greer
Heisman Trophy Trust
David S. Huntington
Laureus Foundation
Malka Fund
Carl Marks Foundation
New York Community Trust
New York Women’s Foundation
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation
FAO Schwarz Family Foundation
Select Equity Group Foundation
Joshua & Sara Slocum
Youth, I.N.C.
$10,000 to $19,999
Christian & Cherylyn Ahrens
Porter & Lauren Collins
Costas Family Foundation
Matthew & Mariko Elwood
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Christopher Huntington &
Justine Simons
Mary J. Hutchins Foundation
Hyde and Watson Foundation
David Johnson & Sarah Bates Johnson
MBIA Foundation
Colin Redhead
Peter Jay Sharp Foundation
Miranda & Fred Stupart
Micheline Tang
$5,000 to $9,999
Geoffrey P. Adamson
David & Minnie Berk Foundation
Bulldogs Care Foundation
Paul Caminiti & Sophie Cottrell
Richard Davoud Donchian Foundation
Lucius & Eva Eastman Fund
Foundation For Global Sports
Development
WITH THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS
George J. Henry
Jill & Ken Iscol
Robert Karetsky
Maggie Kotuk
James & Sophia Koven
Kenneth & Andrea Kraus
Lindsay LoBue
Mark McGauley
Elise Runsdorf Napack
National Distribution Alliance
News America Incorporated
Henry E. Niles Foundation
Paul & Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland
Patrina Foundation
Power Ten New York
Reed Foundation
John & Kathleen Rudolph-Shabinsky
Lee R. Runsdorf
$2,500 to $4,999
A&E Television Network
Colgate Palmolive
Jon Fish & Sharon Stulberg
Levitt Foundation
Norcross Wildlife Foundation
Scheerer Family Foundation
Robert B. Schumer
$1,000 to $2,499
Maria Bournias
David Briggs
Nancy Chemtob
Ali Cox
Walter & Jane Demers
Jonathan & Alexis Denham
Arthur Dubow Foundation
Jonathan Durham
Wendy R. Flanagan
Robert Garrett, Jr.
Richard & Silda Hall
Mary Lynn Halland
Paul Alexander Holland
Andrew Homan
Lawrence Huntington Fund
Edward Joyce & Linda Gerstel
Sheldon & Samantha Kasowitz
Patricia Kelly-Buford
Nick Kraus
David & Jamie Krone
Celia & Lawrence Levit
Jeff Lundwall
John & Carol McCann
Daniel McGuire
Laura McVey
Glenn Merry
Paula Meyer
Robert & Shyamli Milam
Terry Pelster
Jessica Rispoli & Edward Rowlands
Jordan Sagalowsky
Anna & Richard Sanders
Peter Schwab
Charles & Kathleen Scott
Shattan Family Fund
Paula Wardynski
Amanda & Josh Weiss
Patrick Whetzle & Bree Dribbon
Daniel J. Zubkoff
$500 to $999
Allison Ansel
Kate Bender
Robert Benjamin, Jr.
Kelly Brennan
Edward Scully Burke
Christopher J. Cassidy
Brendan Coburn
Concept 2
Michael Corbett
Lucy Schulte Danziger
John Dennis Delafield
Scott Dias
Elyse Dreyer
Colin Farmer
Tolman & Sarah Geffs
Michael Henson
Matthew P. Hughes
Robinson Lacy & Karen Doeblin
Armand LeGardeur Architect LLC
Abigail Levy
George Lovatt
Susannah Meadows
Casey Morgan
Pierre & Rebecca Morita
Moskowitz Family Foundation
James Nelson
Andy Peay & Ami Scheiss
Mary & Danny Phelps
Barbara Phillips
Samuel Politziner
Rauch Rainoff Foundation
David Saltonstall
Dan Saltzman & Jennifer Amigone
Leah Schwartz
Silver Mountain Foundation
for the Arts
Lisa Smith
James Treger
Jean Tsien
Universal Sports
Sanjay Valvani
Caron Veazey
Michael Wieneke
Ravi Yadav
$250 to $499
James Bertram & Daniele Skopek
T. Patrick Burke
Jennifer K. Cowal
John Crocker
Peter Derow
Harry H. Graves
Alan Greenberg
Elizabeth Gunnison
Robert Hedlund
Jacob Hurley
Robert & Phyllis Johnson
Charles Johnston
Mary Elizabeth Kelly
Ryan Kirlin
Caroline Le Bris
Nina & Steven Lerner
Omar Mallick
Kristopher McDaniel
Alison Mesrop
Lewis Mittman
Moody's Foundation
J. Eric Nelson
Jesse Oberst
Caroline Kim & Chong Oh
Sylvie Remingol
Nicole & Steve Sardo
Russell Savage
Hillary Scheerer
Serling Rooks Ferrara Mckoy & Worob
John Simeone
Tim Strand
Barbara Taylor
David Wagener
David & Kristen Waldorf
Emily Walker
Karla & Michael Ward
Merril Wasserman
Florence Wiener
Barbara Brizzi Wynne
Yablon Family Foundation
$100 to $249
Elizabeth Andrews
Michele Bender
William Birch & Melissa Jauss
Michael & Kimberly Bodson
Stuart Bondell
Boston Consulting Group
Patrick Boyle
Michael Brown
Frances Buckley
Emily Jennett Butler
Richard Cantor
Laura Carey
Matthew Chandler
Derek & Katie Chang
Margaret Cordi
Cornerstone Agency
Michael Coughlin
William Cox
Simone D'Abreu
Errol Dawkins
Ann-Marie Desmond
Evi Dillingham
Pamela L. Donner
Oliver & Anita Edwards
Fred Elwood
Susan Fisher
Jonathan Fogel & Robert Simons
Sylvia Francis
Adam L. Frank
Abbie Eliasberg Fuchs
John Garnjost
Jeffrey Gingold
Lisa Golia
Theodore Green & Debra Beneck
Patrick T. Gunn
Jo Hannafin
Heidi Herman
Andrew Hewitt
Jonathan & Anna Horner
Benjamin & Cathy Iselin
Jamieson Family Foundation
David Jasper
Roberta A. Jones
Davina Josko
Alison Kallman
Shion & Keiko Kato
John & I.R. Kelly
John & Jennifer Kelly
Robert & Vidhya Kelly
Christopher & Mary Kirsten
Mitchell Kleinman &
Margaret Ferguson
Andrew B. Knox
Richard Kortright & Jane Cottrell
Aubrey Lampkin
Susan Lane
Scott Lawin
Phoebe Lichty
Marcia Lippman
Meredith Little
Arthur S. Lukach, Jr.
Jessica Lupovici
Ralph Marin
Sandra Marshall
Barbara D. Massey
Andrew McClaren
Helena & John McSherry
Louis Miceli & Mae Watson Grote
Peter D. Michelson
James Millar
Ashley Muchmore
John W. Mullen III
Ted & Allison Nash
John O’Donoghue
Charles Ortner
Jane S. Parkes
Barton Perlbinder
Adam Perlmutter
Stewart Perry
Richard & Caroline Petersen
Clyde & Marcia Phelps
Barry Platnick
Ann Plunkett
Steven Pollack
Chrystie Price
Jaimeson Rice
James Richard
Jessica Rieder
Nancy W. Ross
Susan L. Sack
Jane Saghir
Ira & Susan Sallen
Clark & Susan Schubach
Shari & Christopher Segalini
Charles Seigerman
Manning Seitz
Brett Selinger
David Seto
Evan Simeone
Jill Simeone
John Simeone
Paul Simeone
Lewis & Carol Simons
Leah Sklar
Meilyn Soto
Sheila Spence
Paul Stanechewski
Sarah Steiner
Barbi Steinhilber
Lorri Steffen
Michaela Strand
Hugh Surratt
Eva Tan
Edith Taylor
Celia & Richard Trayes
Triple T Foundation
United Way of Central Ohio
Daniele Wieneke
James & Alicia Weinstein
Jason L. Woody
Ryan & Erin Wright
Mark Yale
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
2012
2013
$ 1,881,317
$ 1,571,890
307,049
321,568
876
998
2,135
13,601
(39,690)
(79,736)
2,151,687
$1,828,321
1,203,203
1,418,410
General and administrative
131,230
209,260
Fundraising
154,713
185,099
1,489,146
1,812,769
Increase in net assets
662,541
15,552
Beginning net assets
965,336
1,627,877
Ending net assets
$ 1,627,877
$ 1,643,429
Contributions
Program service income
Investment income
Other revenue
Less: Direct costs of special events
Total support and revenue
Expenses
Program services
Support Services:
Total Expenses
INDIVIDUAL
DONATIONS
27%
EARNED
INCOME
13%
CORPORATE
CONTRIBUTIONS
13%
FOUNDATION
GRANTS
46%
INDIVIDUAL
DONATIONS
29%
FOUNDATION
GRANTS
48%
EARNED
INCOME
17%
GOVERNMENT
SUPPORT
1%
CORPORATE
CONTRIBUTIONS
5%
GOVERNMENT
SUPPORT
1%
Please note that the 2012 statement reflects our expansion to a second boathouse that
year, and includes the attendant and significant start-up costs of equipment purchases.
Special thanks to Peter Aaron, James Farrell, Susan Landau, Megan Lappin, Row2K, and Michael B. Smith for the photos used in this report.
Support and Revenue
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cherylyn Ahrens
Attorney
Matthew Elwood
Vice President, Goldman Sachs
Jon Fish
U.S. Olympic Coxswain
Chief Financial Officer, The Advertising Council
Raymond Hill
President, InVentiv Clinical
Chris Huntington
U.S. Olympic Rower
Partner, Encap Development, LLC
David Huntington
Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Sarah Bates Johnson
Former U.S. National Rowing Team Member
Amanda Kraus
Executive Director and Founder, Row New York
Elise Runsdorf Napack
Vice President, Runsdorf, Inc.
Colin Redhead
Capital Markets Professional
Julieta Ross
Chief Technology Officer for Latin America, Citigroup
Joshua Slocum
Managing Director, Chieftain Capital Management
Mandy Stupart
Legal Counsel, Prime Services Advisory, Barclays Bank PLC
ADVISORY BOARD
Tom Auth
U.S. Olympic Rower
Managing partner, Advanced Venture Partners
Tom Cornacchia
Global Co-Head of FICC Sales, Goldman Sachs
Jim Dietz
Head Coach, University of Massachusetts Women’s Crew
Gary Goldring
Goldring Family Foundation
Occoquan International Rowing Club
In late 2013, the Row New York Young Executives Board (YEB) was launched with a healthy roster of 68 active members who support our mission and have pledged to
promote the work of Row New York among their professional and social peers. Most of our inaugural group of YEB members are themselves former collegiate rowers.
10-27 46th Avenue, Suite101
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-433-3075
www.rownewyork.org
Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse
on the Harlem River
3579 Harlem River Drive
Manhattan
World’s Fair Boathouse
on Meadow Lake
30 Meadow Lake Road West
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens