Our Movement is Growing!

We have big news to share— A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund is expanding to four new cities!

We have big news to share— A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund is expanding to four new cities!

We are expanding to four new cities! That means hundreds more young people from historically neglected neighborhoods will have the chance to pick up an oar for the first time, discover the power of teamwork, and gain access to academic support, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

Each new program receives far more than just funding— the AMBTIF is supporting our four new partner programs with a total of $100,000 in direct support, along with Concept2 ergs and oars, ongoing professional development, essential resources, and the strength of our national network of leaders and coaches.

Since 2021, the AMBTIF has proudly supported rowing programs nationwide—helping each strengthen their mission and expand their impact. Thanks to our partners Concept2, Concrete Foundation, Hudson Boat Works, and our many supporters, we’ve donated $625,000, 19 boats, 234 ergs, and 96+ oars to date across 23 partner programs!

Please join us in welcoming our 4 new partner programs:

• Capital City Rowing League | Trenton, NJ

  • Capital City Rowing League (CCRL) is dedicated to expanding access to the sport of rowing to underrepresented and underserved youth in our inner cities. Created within Princeton National Rowing Association, the CCRL provides mentorship, leadership development and academic support alongside rigorous athletic training. The CCRL works to bring indoor rowing to intermediate and middle school students from the Trenton area as a step to getting them into boats in high school. Coupling this program with their STEM to Stern Program that they jointly run with Princeton University and the Mercer Junior Rowing Program, the CCRL is able to provide students with a meaningful opportunity to grow through the sport.

• Dominican University Rowing | Orangeburg, NY

  • Dominican University New York (DUNY) is a small liberal arts college in Rockland County, NY. DUNY is a Hispanic Serving Institution that is classified as an opportunity university and ranks highly in social mobility. DUNY offers competitive varsity rowing teams for both men and women. The women's team is an NCAA D2 program. DUNY Rowing competes in both sculling and sweep events. Fairly new, the team has nevertheless seen strong results. During the most recent (24-25) season, their men's team finished second in the team trophy at Dad Vail's National Collegiate Sculling Championships due to 2nd place finishes in the single and the quad and an 8th place finish in the double. The women's team placed 5th in the women's varsity double at Dad Vail. Other significant wins in the 24-25 season included first place in the men's collegiate single at the Head of the Fish, 1st place in the men's quad at the NY State Collegiate Rowing Championships, 1st place in both the men's double and the men's quad at the Knecht Cup, as well as 2nd at Knecht Cup for the women's quad. DUNY Rowing also offers opportunities for para rowers, and their women's PR3 rower won the PR3 single at Dad Vail.

• Friends of Detroit Rowing | Detroit, MI

  • In 1972, Friends of Detroit Rowing (FODR) was formed as a non-profit organization to preserve the history and function of Detroit rowing while expanding access to the sport throughout the metropolitan area. FODR programming introduces new rowers to the sport, offers training for competitive rowers, and supports the under-represented within rowing. Their  "Motown ROWtown " initiative introduces rowing to Detroit youth through indoor rowing programs, with the goal of transitioning them to an on-water experience of rowing and racing for one of the oldest crew clubs in the nation. FODR has partnerships with Detroit Public Schools and multiple Detroit-area youth organizations.

• Watuppa Rowing Center | Fall River, MA

  • Watuppa Rowing Center was founded in 2018 located on South Watuppa Pond in Fall River, Massachusetts. WRC offers free year‑round rowing programs for youth aged 12 and up, and affordable programs for adults. Watuppa's mission is to empower youth and enrich their lives by providing equitable access for all to the transformative power of the sport of rowing and the water. What started as an elusive vision to bring rowing—a sport often considered exclusive—to underserved communities has become a vibrant hub of athletic, academic, and personal development on the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. WRC graduates have achieved success through college scholarships and recruitment into D1 programs across the Nation. Watuppa proudly welcomes many graduates back each sumer to serve as Assistant summer coaches for WRC's 8-week free youth rowing programs to inspire and educate the next generation of rowers.

Behind every boat on the water is a student who needs equipment that fits, a coach who believes in them, and a safe space where they can show up before or after school. Behind every practice is the chance to build confidence, discipline, and lifelong friendships.