At Mount Baker, our greatest strength isn’t the breathtaking views or even the programs—it’s the people. As a public program, we proudly open our doors to everyone, regardless of income or athletic ability. This inclusivity fosters a profound sense of community where everybody can come together, enjoy water sports, and feel truly welcome. And many of our members don’t just participate—they volunteer their time and talents, contributing to our success by helping with cooking, chaperoning, site cleanups, and much more. This shared commitment is what makes Mount Baker so special.

As a public program, we are deeply committed to making our offerings affordable. So each year, through our Annual Fund Campaign, we turn to everyone in our vibrant community —to help fund key priorities that sustain our mission.

The 2025 Annual Fund Campaign begins today, to this year’s operating expense priorities. Our goal is to raise at least $50,000 to fund three essential budget areas:

1. Scholarships for Participants in Need: The demand for financial assistance surged in 2024 — more households became eligible for support across a wider range of income levels. Your donation will ensure that every participant, regardless of financial background, can join our programs in 2025.

2. Community Outreach: We’re committed to broadening access to our programs, especially for underserved communities. In July, for the third year in a row, we will co-host a Camp Lucy program with the George Pocock Rowing Foundation. This free, learn-to-row camp for middle-school-aged girls facing socio-economic barriers will use the power of rowing to help them recognize the many ways that they are strong, powerful, supported, and brave.

3. Equipment Renewal Project: To assure high-quality experiences for all our participants, the Boating Advisory Council is launching a multi-year plan to steadily replace aging equipment across all levels. Your donation will help the BAC assure that it has the resources now to begin updating our rowing and sailing fleets. If we are able to reach our Annual Fund goal of $50,000, the BAC will update for this fall at least one – and preferably two! – of our oldest rowing shells.

Please join us in making a lasting impact by contributing to the 2025 Annual Fund. Every gift, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated and will directly support these vital initiatives. Your generosity will help us ensure that Mount Baker remains a place where everyone in our energetic community can get together, learn, and grow.

Our campaign will run for two weeks – through May 19th. We’ll close early if we meet our goal – but if not, we’ll keep going until we do. Together, we all will make a difference. 

Thank you for being an essential part of the Mount Baker community – and GO BAKER!