Brigs is committed to ensuring that all youth have equitable access to our sail training programs. The Pathfinder Access Fund offsets the costs of courses for trainees requiring financial assistance.
The Pathfinder Access Fund can be applied to any of our programs and will be awarded on a needs basis to individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate an clear interest in joining our crew and fully participating in all activities
- Meet the standard criteria for participating in our sail training programs
- Financial need
Apply for Financial Assistance
If you require financial assistance, please check the box during the course booking process and complete the application form when prompted. Information requested on the application is the following:
- why you want to come sailing and what you hope to gain from the experience
- amount of support requested, up to 100% of fees
- reasons for applying for a bursary
- contact details of a reference
RWL Laidlaw Merrythought Fund
The Pathfinder Access Fund is partially funded by the Laidlaw Family Discretionary Grant Fund created in memory of the late Rod Laidlaw, a passionate champion of sailing during his lifetime and the first President (1949-1971) of the Laidlaw Foundation. It has been given by Mr. Laidlaw’s surviving children and his Weir and Denouden grandchildren from the Laidlaw Family Discretionary Grant Fund at the Laidlaw Foundation. The funds will establish the RWL Laidlaw Merrythought Fund (the RWLL Fund) as a part of Brigs’ existing Pathfinder Access Fund. The purpose of the RWLL Fund is to increase access to programs and provide financial assistance to youth.
Ships 2 Shores
The Pathfinder Access fund is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Ships2Shores Sailing Access Fund. The Sailing Access Fund allows youth who would otherwise not be able to participate to experience the adventure and wonder of sailing by covering some or all fees associated with participation in sail training programs. Ships2Shores promotes diversity and inclusion aboard participating vessels and encourages all eligible youth to apply, regardless of ability, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. To learn more about Ships2Shores, and the Sailing Access Fund, please click here.
To apply directly through the Sailing Access Fund click here. When filling out the application be sure to select 'Brigs' as your first choice of Sail Training Organization.
Support the Fund
The Pathfinder Access Fund is funded by the Marine Club and the generosity of individual donors. If you would like to make a contribution toward the fund, please click here.
For more information on applying or supporting the Pathfinder Access Fund please call 416-596-7117 or email [email protected].
The fund is named in honour of our first flagship, the STV Pathfinder, retired from sail training in 2018.