Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation (CISF) , a 501 (c) 3 Foundation, was started in 2000 by Bradford N. Swett, a lifelong sailor with a passion for sailing. Brad’s daughter, Hannah, an accomplished sailor and resident of Jamestown, took over as President of the Foundation when Brad passed away. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire and engage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities with the marine environment through boating & education.

Since its’ inception, CISF has been assisting sailors on Conanicut Island by providing scholarships to those who want to learn how to sail or compete in regattas at the international level.  The addition of Sea Adventure Camp in 2012 expanded CISF’s reach to a much broader base to include non-Jamestown residents as well.

CISF is continually evolving in ways to support the community and engage people with Narragansett Bay. To that end, in 2016, CISF added a full-time educator to the Jamestown School system, funded solely by CISF. CISF Program Director, Haley Barber, fills this role and is both gifted and passionate. CISF’s in-school programming is a part of our larger Ocean STEAM Initiative.

CISF has also added a significant number of shoulder season programs. After school sailing (grades 5-8), kayaking (grades 5 – 8), Backyard Explorers (grades 1-4), and Eco-Club (grades 6 – 8) are the main after school programs.

The majority of CISF’s programs are either partially subsidized to make them accessible and affordable to all, or are free.

CISF has grown tremendously from when it was founded. The organization has grown beyond what one man and his family can fund. CISFs endowment now allows us to try new programming and to grow modestly. However, CISF is dependent on public support through donations and grants.