Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
Preserving and promoting the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and the Delaware Valley for the education and enrichment of all.
$83,968 raised from 497 donors
$35,000 goal
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The first $7,000 is gifts will be matched by our Board of Trustees! All gifts will help us win matching funds from #DoMore24DE. Please give to the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation's education mission as well as the work of The Tall Ship of Delaware! Your support helps us make hands-on learning experiences and events accessible to Wilmington's Eastside, under-served youth across the region, and visitors from far and wide. Our volunteer crew training and internship programs also transform lives and teach valuable maritime industry skills.
We deliver innovative educational programs to students of all ages: on field trips, in classrooms, through public, private and volunteer programs on our ship and the Copeland Maritime Center museum and campus. Your gift supports:
We deliver innovative educational programs to students of all ages: on field trips, in classrooms, through public, private and volunteer programs on our ship and the Copeland Maritime Center museum and campus. Your gift supports:
- Field Trips on our ship and shore: We offer unforgettable hands-on programs with a special focus on schools for underserved children and youth. Students explore Delaware history, STEM concepts, teamwork, communication skills, and more!
- Classroom Programs: Our education teams visit schools to teach economic lessons about trade and scarcity, as well as Delaware's maritime Underground Railroad history.
- Community Programs: We host major community events and education programs on our Copeland Maritime Center campus at little or no cost thanks to donors & sponsors.
- Ship Maintenance Fund: Our well-maintained ship requires annual maintenance of its wood structure and carvings, mechanical systems, safety equipment, rigging, sails, and more. Each winter we seek funds to help prepare for the next sailing season!
- Workforce Development/Job Training: We provide workforce development through an established program with our neighbor and partner, the Challenge Program. We also train live-aboard deck hands and interns (as well as 250 volunteers) who learn invaluable marine industry skills and benefit from our mentor training program.
Please note: Funds raised from our Guest Bartender event on February 12, 2025 will be added to our total dollars raised for this Giving Day.
About Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
Mission: Preserving and promoting the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and the Delaware Valley for the education and enrichment of all.
Launched in 1997, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a non-profit volunteer-based educational organization that reaches 35,000 people in a typical year. It built, owns, and operates Kalmar Nyckel, The Tall Ship of Delaware, and the Tatiana and Gerret Copeland Maritime Center located on Wilmington's East 7th Street Peninsula. Today’s Kalmar Nyckel serves as a floating classroom that offers people of all ages a variety of sea- and land-based educational and recreational experiences.
BACKGROUND
Kalmar Nyckel was the Swedish naval ship that landed in present-day Delaware in 1638 to launch the colony of New Sweden, establishing the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley. Our maritime center is located just 200 yards from the original 1638 landing site at “The Rocks” in Wilmington, DE.
Adventure awaits! Today's Kalmar Nyckel offers day and evening sails, plus private parties and educational programs onboard or dockside from April through October each sailing season.
Adventure awaits! Today's Kalmar Nyckel offers day and evening sails, plus private parties and educational programs onboard or dockside from April through October each sailing season.
The Copeland Maritime Center offers a year-round riverfront venue for experiential learning and educational field trips as well as private rentals for business and social events. Self-guided and private group tours of our exhibits are available.
The organization also serves as a catalyst for social and economic development and outreach in and beyond the state of Delaware.
County Served: Kent; New Castle; Sussex
Office Location(s): Wilmington
Sector: Arts & Culture; Community Improvement; Education; Environment; Kids; Museums & Historical; Science & Technology; Volunteerism; Workforce
