sponsorSHIP™ Program

The sponsorSHIP Program is directed at providing funds, goods, or services that will enable the construction of the CharterAbility boat.

The central theme is that anyone can make a donation; companies and individuals, either by themselves or in concert with others.

Donations of cash will be directed, as necessary, to building the vessel (hull and superstructure), its fixtures and fittings, or items essential to its operation.

By their very nature, donations of products (goods) will be specific items ranging from the engines and navigation systems through to the refrigerator and personal floatation devices.

The donation of services is somewhat restricted since the builder will be doing most of the fitting out work. However, the installation of deck restraints (tie-downs) has already been sponsored by Kino Mobility. And, the painting of corporate (recognition logos) on the superstructure is a service that will certainly be required.

The sponsorSHIP program is focused entirely on construction and is one of several ways in which we intend to raise funds during the various stages of the project.

Several suppliers have expressed a willingness to donate specific components for the vessel. But, in order to take advantage of their generous offers, we need funds to cover the cost of labour which represents almost 60% of the total cost of the boat. In cash terms that's likely to be around $500,000.

So, we are looking to charitable foundations and corporations as potential sources of funding. In addition we are working on a couple of promotional events that could contribute a substantial portion of the labour costs.

As things progress we will post a Wish List showing the various components, contributions received and the names of the organizations or individuals making the contribution.

Recognition of sponsors is an important part of the program. We expect corporations will have their own particular preferences when it comes to promoting their involvement.

However, we came up with the notion of different levels of "membership" named after the Canadian Great Lakes - Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario - each offering different forms of recognition from corporate pennants on the mast to corporate logos in our newsletters.

For individuals wishing to contribute we thought of conferring an honorary title in keeping with the nature of CharterAbility - Admiral, Commodore, Captain and Commander.

Although the sponsorSHIP Program is a "work in progress" the following schematics may give you some idea of what we are working on.