FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2025

BEACON, NY – Continuing nearly six decades of defending the Hudson River and inspiring generations through environmental education, sailing, and song, the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Board of Directors has ratified a comprehensive five-year Business Model Plan designed to secure the organization’s future for decades to come.

“This Comprehensive Plan builds upon intentional changes Clearwater has made over the last five years, including our 2021 Strategic Plan and the intentional decision to hire a skilled financial expert to lead the organization,” reflected Board President Samantha Hicks. “Since David Toman came aboard as Executive Director in 2022, the organization has made significant strides in growing revenue and funding sources. This plan takes our efforts over the last five years to the next level, and establishes a data-driven, metrics-focused path forward.”

Ratified May 8 by the Board of Directors, the Comprehensive Plan marks a significant step forward from the financial instability that has periodically challenged the organization. Following a successful emergency fundraising campaign in spring 2024, Clearwater has used the momentum to recalibrate and rethink its revenue sources from the ground up. Under the leadership of Executive Director David Toman, the organization assembled a diverse team of business, education, maritime, and marketing professionals who worked alongside board and staff members for nine months to evaluate Clearwater’s finances, programming, and operational structure, ultimately developing a plan to achieve long-term financial stability and resilience, thereby enabling the organization to better serve the river and communities of the Hudson Valley.

“This is more than a plan—it’s a commitment,” said David Toman, Clearwater’s Executive Director. “Last spring’s financial crisis and robust community response were a mandate to find a new, bold path forward. The outpouring of support gave us the time and clarity to develop a clear-eyed, pragmatic roadmap to ensure Clearwater doesn’t just survive, but thrives financially, programmatically, and in service to our mission for the next 50 years.”

The plan emphasizes the importance of transitioning from a reactive fundraising model to a proactive, diversified revenue structure, projecting a 15% annual surplus over five years. It includes milestones for building long-needed reserves to weather future uncertainties, expansion of mission-driven work, and outlines key goals, including growing private partnerships and sponsorships, expanding education programs, public and charter sails, and increasing grant funding from foundations, New York State, and philanthropists with deep roots in community. The plan sets forward numeric goals as well as strategies to achieve them.

“Our biggest priority was ensuring this plan is actionable and achievable” said task force member Bill Braine, Marketing and Communications Strategist. “That meant exploring the financial history, quantifying what it really takes to keep the Sloop afloat and build reserves, and then creating specific annual implementation plans to reach new targets and measure interim performance. It was a real honor to join this accomplished and creative group to help solve problems for an organization we love.”

Seasoned business leader and task force member Dean Lentz notes: “Clearwater is a remarkable organization. For over half a century, it has served Hudson Valley communities and stood as a beacon of environmental awareness and activism worldwide. Throughout its history, Clearwater has overcome numerous challenges through sheer tenacity and grit, the tireless efforts of its dedicated staff and volunteers, and the generosity of inspired donors. The organization possesses the resilience and resourcefulness needed to carry its mission forward indefinitely. The changes already underway—focused on future planning and systematic evaluation of its achievements—are a testament to Clearwater’s adaptability and steadfast commitment to a sustainable future.”

The task force comprised business, education, and maritime specialist volunteers Bill Braine, Peg Brandon, Dean Lentz and Helen Pashley; Clearwater Board members Samantha Heyman Hicks, Peter Capek, Steve Stanne, and Julia Wilson; and Clearwater staff David Toman, Jen Benson, Erin Macchiaroli, Emily Marcet, and Meg Mayo.

A Call to Action: Join Clearwater’s Next Chapter
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s long-term success depends on an engaged and committed community. As the organization begins to implement its new Business Model Plan, public support will play a critical role in ensuring its programs, advocacy, and the historic sloop continue to serve the Hudson Valley for generations to come.

To learn more about ways to get involved, visit: www.clearwater.org/engage. To learn more about the plan and how to support Clearwater, visit: https://www.clearwater.org/business-model-planning/.

**********
About Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

In 1966, the Hudson River was plagued by industrial pollution, and folk singer Pete Seeger and a group of activists decided to “build a boat to save the river” by bringing together communities across the region to protect and restore the river. Three years later, the sloop Clearwater set sail with a mission to save the Hudson through education, advocacy, sailing, and music. Nearly six decades later, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater remains resolute in this mission, and to date, more than half a million people have had the life-changing experience of sailing aboard the Clearwater.

 

Contact: 
Jen Benson, Director of Communications + Advocacy
 jen@clearwater.org 
585-943-7454