For more than 30 years, young people throughout Southern California have benefitted from hands-on learning experiences through our programs that use sail training to help them develop team-building, problem-solving, character-building, critical thinking and leadership skills. We give real life context to important subjects like science, mathematics and history, and we raise awareness about the environmental impacts to our oceans and local waters through our programs in the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
As a non-profit organization, we are especially proud to empower underserved youth thanks to the generous support of you – our community. You help us create unforgettable experiences for these youth, so they can learn important skills that will help them succeed in the future.
Our goals since the beginning have been to never be in port when we ought to be at sea, never turn a young person away for lack of money, and never sail with an empty berth… please donate today and be a part of this tall ship magic!
Please note: You do not need a PayPal account to make a one-time donation through this online donation form… simply select “Donate with Debit or Credit Card.”
If you prefer to mail your donation, please make checks payable to Los Angeles Maritime Institute and send them to:
Los Angeles Maritime Institute, Berth 73, Suite 2, San Pedro, CA 90731
If you have any questions, please contact Liz Reinhardt, Director of Development, at liz@lamitopsail.org or 310.833.6055.
Giving Options
General Operations – Support the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute and the Children’s Maritime Institute.
TopSail Youth Program – Help break the economic barrier of access to our life-changing experiential education programs when you support sponsored and subsidized sails for youth from underserved communities throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
American Pride– Support the on-going operations and maintenance of our majestic 130-foot, three-masted schooner, American Pride. She is the official Tall Ship for the City of Long Beach and the primary tall ship for the Children’s Maritime Institute, our Long Beach-based division.
Twin Brigantines – Support on-going operations and maintenance of our twin, 110-foot brigantines, Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson. They are the official Tall Ships of the City of Los Angeles and the primary tall ships for our programs out of the Port of Los Angeles.
Swift of Ipswich Restoration – Help us finish the long-awaited restoration of our 92-foot topsail schooner, Swift of Ipswich. LAMI’s original tall ship, she is known as a floating landmark serving youth in Southern California for more than 60 years.
Join Prevailing Winds
Our New, Automated Monthly Giving Program
We recently revamped our membership program, turning it into a monthly giving program that allows you to make an impact on these youth year-round, with the same benefits of the membership program. We’re calling it Prevailing Winds, because as a member, you are helping to propel us confidently throughout the year with your automated monthly donations.
Please make sure to select “Make this a monthly donation” on the online form!
Automated monthly donations are processed through PayPal, so you must have a PayPal account to set up monthly donations through the form linked above. For other ways to set-up/make monthly donations, please contact Liz Reinhardt, Director of Development, at liz@lamitopsail.org or 310.833.6055.
Monthly Donation
Annual Total
Sailing Perks
$10
$120
1 complimentary ticket*
$15
$180**
2 complimentary tickets*
$25
$300
3 complimentary tickets*
$50
$600
4 complimentary tickets
$100
$1,200
6 complimentary tickets
$200
$2,400
10 complimentary tickets and a special behind-the-scenes tour
$300
$3,600
15 complimentary tickets and a special behind-the-scenes tour
$400
$4,800***
20 complimentary tickets and a special behind-the-scenes tour
$500
$6,000
25 complimentary tickets and a special behind-the-scenes tour
Complimentary tickets can be used on any of our monthly Community Sails.
*Excludes Community Sails in February, July and December