Bainbridge Island Rowing

Rowing for All

Financial Assistance at BIR

Did you know that typically, upwards of 10% of our junior rowers rely on financial aid to participate in the sport? Bainbridge Island Rowing is committed to making our programs available to everyone who wishes to participate, regardless of their ability to pay program fees. Financial assistance is available to those with need. BIR has partnered with Helpline House to establish financial assistance coverage amounts. Participants who receive financial aid are anonymous to coaches and all other program participants. This page outlines all the details of BIR’s Financial assistance programs for rowers of all ages.

Youth Scholarships

Youth Scholarships are awarded based upon need and cover from 25% to 75% of the cost of participating in BIR programs, including:

  • BIR annual membership fees
  • BIR Program fees
  • Out-of-town regatta expenses (travel, accommodations, dining etc.)

The following costs are NOT covered by scholarships:

  • Team Uniform costs (estimated at around $150). Typically we can loan gently worn uniforms to scholarship recipients.
  • Mandatory USRowing competitive membership fees (estimated at around $35/year).

For more details and a current full youth rowing fee schedule, please visit the Juniors Program General Information page.

Adult Scholarships

Adult Program Scholarships are awarded based upon need and cover from 25% to 75% of the cost of participating in BIR programs, including:

  • BIR annual membership fees
  • BIR Program fees
  • Regatta fees

The following costs are NOT covered by scholarships:

  • Out-of-town regatta expenses (travel, accommodations, dining etc.)
  • Team Uniform costs (estimated at around $150)
  • Mandatory USRowing competitive membership fees (estimated at around $50/year)

For more details and a current full Masters fee schedule, please visit the Masters Program General Information page.

Scholarship Application & Evaluation Process

  • BIR has partnered with Helpline House for the administration of our scholarship application process. This means that Helpline House reviews all requests in confidence and then submit their recommendation for levels of scholarship aid (25%, 50%, or 75%) to the BIR Treasurer. Helpline House does not share any further information with BIR about the reasons behind the recommended level of scholarship assistance.
  • Scholarships are granted based on need, budget, and availability of funds. Although BIR works very hard to raise the money to fund scholarships, we cannot guarantee that scholarships will be available but are proud to have never turned a rower away for this reason.
  • To apply for a BIR rowing scholarship, you may make an appointment to meet with a Helpline House case manager:
    • Email: helpline@helplinehouse
    • Phone: 206-842-7621
    • Address: 282 Knechtel Way NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
    • Web: helplinehouse.org
      • Please note that Helpline House needs to qualify each scholarship candidate one time in each calendar year.

Help Support BIR’s Rowing Scholarships Program

Please consider joining Bainbridge Island Rowing in our efforts to make rowing accessible to all – any level of support is welcomed and always gratefully accepted.

Donate the BIR Scholarship Fund