BIAC has grown into a strong and vibrant club, and we strive to keep dues and fees low to ensure our programs remain accessible. They do not cover the full cost of the club's operations. Our reliance on community support has grown as we've expanded our high-quality programs and transitioned to a professionally staffed organization.

Contributions from our donors are vital and fill a critical 15-20% funding gap in our annual budget. Your support directly helps us continue to provide exceptional programs and a welcoming community for all.

Your donation will help fund several key investments planned for the current year, including:

• New boats: We plan to purchase new small boats, including additional singles, a new triple, sculling oars, and kayaks to support our Redwood City classes.
• Land equipment: We will continue to acquire more equipment for the boathouse to enhance our land training programs.
• Boathouse improvements: We will continue with boathouse renovations, including a potential upgrade of the water-side wall with new doors and/or windows.

BIAC is committed to keeping our programs affordable. Our annual dues and fees (membership and equipment usage) total $805 for most members. Comparable local clubs such as Los Gatos Rowing Club, Marin Rowing Association, and East Bay Rowing Club have fees that range from comparable to more than double the fees we offer at BIAC. In addition, some clubs have one-time initiation fees of $200-300, whereas BIAC has none.

For participants of coached teams, the all-in cost of dues, equipment fees, and coaching fees are approximately 10-50% higher at these neighboring clubs relative to BIAC.

For members who store their personal watercraft at the club, BIAC’s annual rack rental rates range from $105 to $315, depending on type of watercraft and rack accessibility. Members of LGRC and Marin pay fees that are typically 2x to 3x BIAC’s.

We welcome and appreciate all forms of contributions!

• Online: Donating with your credit card is fast and easy on BIAC’s donation page.
• Check: Writing a check is the most cost effective way to donate, as it allows us to avoid the ~3% processing fees associated with online donations. Please make checks payable to "Bair Island Aquatic Center" and either:
• Mail it to: 1450 Maple St., Redwood City, CA 94063
• Drop it off: Place an envelope with your check in the locked green mailbox inside the BIAC boathouse, located on the wall next to the coaches’ office.
• Donor-Advised Fund (DAF): If you have an established DAF, you can support BIAC in a simple and tax-efficient way. Simply log into your DAF sponsor account (e.g., Fidelity Charitable, Vanguard Charitable) and recommend a grant to "Bair Island Aquatic Center." Our EIN is 94-3343961, and our address is 1450 Maple St., Redwood City, CA 94063.
• Stock: Donating securities can have significant tax benefits and maximize your gift to BIAC. If you are interested in donating stock, please contact us at donations@gobair.org.

If you are donating via check, DAF or stock, we encourage you to fill out a pledge form. This helps us track contributions and ensures your gift counts toward campaign challenges, even if the donation arrives after the challenge has ended.

The main difference is the timing of the gift. A donation is an immediate transfer of funds (e.g., a credit card gift). A pledge is a commitment or promise to make a donation in the future.

We encourage you to fill out a pledge form if you are committing to a contribution that won't be immediately transferred, such as a donation through a donor-advised fund or a mailed check. This helps us track the campaign's progress and allows your commitment to be counted toward fundraising goals and challenges right away.

Yes. BIAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Please keep your donation receipt as your official record for tax purposes.