A Strong Start to 2026 - Momentum in Action
Because of your generosity, 2026 is already off to a strong and meaningful start in Exuma. Friends of Exuma is proud to partner with exceptional organizations that strengthen opportunities and community life throughout Exuma.
This past quarter, at its February 6th Board meeting, Friends of Exuma approved grants totaling $212,000 to support youth development, education, arts, sport, and community assistance across the island, including the below partners:
FRIENDS OF EXUMA PARTNER SPOTLIGHTS:
Exuma Sailing Club: Building Champions On and Off the Water
Young sailors in Exuma are gaining far more than time on the water. Through the Exuma Sailing Club, local boys and girls are building confidence, discipline, teamwork, and a deep respect for the sea that surrounds their island. What begins as learning to handle a boat often grows into leadership, resilience, and lifelong skills.
The club has enjoyed a fantastic start to the year, with a strong and consistent group of young sailors training together every week. Their dedication is already paying off.
“We once again took a team of 14 young sailors to Nassau to compete in the Sir Durward Knowles Junior Championships in February against all the other sailing clubs in The Bahamas.
Once again we came out as club champions out of 11 sailing clubs! Our sailors won the Opti championship, we also had the top girl in the fleet, we won 1st through 4th in the Sunfish fleet, 2nd in the Laser Fleet, and for the third year in a row won the national title in the E class.
All of this is only possible because of the incredible support this club receives from so many people but most importantly from the Friends of Exuma. The funding we receive helps unburden us to be free to focus on offering sailing to every young boy and girl in Exuma regardless of their background or circumstances. Thank you once again for the tremendous support of our little club, we hope to continue making Exuma proud and getting more and more young people involved in sailing!” - Coach Dallas Knowles Exuma Sailing Club
The club hopes to continue building on this momentum, developing young sailors, representing Exuma with pride, and introducing even more children to the joy and discipline of sailing.
As the team heads further into the season, one thing is clear: the future of sailing in Exuma is bright, and the next generation of leaders is already learning the ropes.
Nelson Ranger Tennis Clinics: Opening Doors Through Sport
Across Georgetown, young people are discovering that tennis is more than a game, it’s a pathway to confidence, discipline, and opportunity. Through structured clinics and mentorship, students are developing healthy routines, learning from strong role models, and exploring new competitive pathways that can shape their future.
Led by Nelson Ranger, founder of the Nelson A. Ranger Scholarship Fund and longtime organizer of golf and tennis camps in Exuma, the program is committed to making the sport accessible to every young person in the community.
“Friends of Exuma’s support allows us to expand access to sports education for Exuma’s youth,” Ranger shared. “Beyond sport, we are building confidence, discipline, and leadership skills that last a lifetime.” - Nelson A. Ranger, Founder
With the support of Friends of Exuma, tennis lessons are open to all young people in Georgetown, regardless of family income. The program ensures that any child who wants to learn the game has the opportunity to step onto the court.
Weekly clinics provide consistent coaching and mentorship. These regular sessions are helping young players build both technical skills and a love for the game, while also strengthening habits like perseverance, focus, and teamwork.
The long-term vision for the program is ambitious and inspiring: to develop talented young tennis players who can one day compete for university tennis scholarships, opening doors to higher education and global opportunities.
For many participants, tennis is their first introduction to structured athletic training and competition. For some, it may become a stepping stone to academic and athletic success far beyond Exuma.
Thanks to the partnership between community leaders and donors, the courts in Georgetown are becoming a place where young people can grow, not just as athletes, but as confident and motivated individuals ready to pursue their goals.
With continued support, Nelson Ranger Tennis is helping ensure that every serve, rally, and match brings Exuma’s youth one step closer to a brighter future.
Exuma Community Youth Band: Developing Leaders Through Music
Music education in Exuma is doing far more than teaching young people how to play instruments. It is building confidence, discipline, and pride, nurturing not only talented musicians, but the next generation of community leaders.
The Exuma Community Youth Band is dedicated to developing young people across the island through music while preserving Bahamian culture and creativity. Today, the band proudly includes 130 registered and auxiliary members, making it one of the most visible and impactful youth organizations in Exuma.
Throughout the year, the band plays a central role in many of the island’s most important cultural and civic moments. Their performances have become a familiar and inspiring presence at events such as the Independence Flag Raising Ceremony, the National Family Island Regatta, Remembrance Day, and the commissioning of the Baraterre Water Plant, among many others.
Beyond the performances, the program focuses on building character. Through rehearsals, mentorship, and public performances, young members learn the values of teamwork, discipline, and service to community.
“The band's vision is to cultivate leaders of today who will have a positive impact on tomorrow. The future is going to be beautiful because of these young people and their positive contributions to its success. We are appreciative for the contribution from Friends of Exuma. This generous donation has helped to assist with the functioning of the day to day operation of the band. - Samantha Ferguson, Band Director, Exuma Community Youth Band
Looking ahead, the Exuma Community Youth Band has an exciting calendar of upcoming performances and community engagements, including:
Local Government Award Ceremony — March 5, 2026
20th Exuma Heritage Festival — March 14, 2026
Urban Renewal “Love Thy Neighbor” Band Retreat — April 4–6, 2026
Children’s Bay Cay Performance — April 17, 2026
National Family Island Regatta — April 25, 2026
Independence Flag Raising Ceremony — July 9, 2026
With continued community and donor support, the Exuma Community Youth Band is proving that music can do more than entertain; it can inspire, unite, and empower young people to shape a brighter future for Exuma.
Harbour Fund
Friends of Exuma’s dedicated Harbour Fund continues to provide essential, reliable support for the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park and the Elizabeth Harbour Partnership, work that is foundational to Exuma’s environmental health, economy, and way of life.
"Friends of Exuma has provided transformative support for conservation of Elizabeth Harbour and Moriah Harbour Cay National Park through their Harbour Fund. Understanding the need to be responsive and timely in giving, as well as appreciating the variety of needs under the umbrella of conservation, makes the organization uniquely impactful in this work." - Catherine Booker, Conservation Manager at the Bahamas National Trust, and Adviser to the Friends of Exuma
This long-term investment allows conservation leaders to plan responsibly, operate effectively, and protect these extraordinary natural resources for generations to come.
In 2026, the EHCP began its third year of operating moorings in Elizabeth Harbour. So far, demand for the moorings has increased since our start in 2024, and reviews from mooring users have been overwhelmingly positive. Reviews can be read on the reservation platform Dockwa.
The organization continues to maintain frequent monitoring and maintenance of the moorings, and has demonstrated a high-level of customer service with a team of two mooring attendants and an operations manager. As demand increases for the moorings, and the need for upgrades in harbour safety and management continues, the EHCP aims to install additional moorings in 2026 that will accommodate larger vessels.
The moorings are a straight-forward approach to minimizing damage to the seabed where they have been installed, but they also generate revenue that allows the EHCP to create local job opportunities and support charitable initiatives. The EHCP boat is regularly utilized by the Bahamas National Trust to facilitate environmental education experiences, and for the third year in a row, has donated the use of moorings to the George Town Cruising Regatta's annual fundraiser for local charities.
Other initiatives supported by moorings revenues and the Friends of Exuma Harbour Fund in 2025/2026 include captain's license training for staff, installation of no wake buoys, support for the Ministry of Tourism's International Coastal Cleanup Day, and a donation for waste management to the National Family Island Regatta.
WITH GRATITUDE
As we look ahead, we remain focused on expanding youth opportunities, strengthening education, and investing in the long-term resilience of our island community.
We are deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this work possible:
Julian and Lee Adney, Kris and Kurt Anderson, Mark Ayer, Matt and Margaret Balitsaris, Brown Foundation/Courtney and Christopher Sarofim, Stacey Browning, Rob and Kara Bult, Lee and Amy Butler, Kay Carlson, Bob and Jeanne Coughlin, Bill and Pam Flesner, Luke and Rhonda Fowler, Wendy and John Gaudet, Mark Haines, Jeff and Joy Harris, Steve and Eleanor Haussler, Rachel and Mike Heitkamp, Kelly Kastner, Scott and Lori Miller, Adam Russell, Bill and Carol Sanford, Charles Schmalz Family Fund, Sea Star Villa February Point, Ashley and Craig Stipes, Kirk and Kelly Tattersall, Anonymous (22 generous donors have chosen to remain anonymous).
Donors listed supported Friends of Exuma between January 1 2025 and January 31 2026, the last day of a generous $100,000 match challenge, which was met!
Donor Spotlight: Bill and Carol Sanford
Bill Sanford is a Friends of Exuma Founding Board Director and together with his wife, Carol, strong supporters of the organization. Bill and Carol reside in Houston, Texas (USA) and travel to Exuma as often as possible.
Bill and Carol Sanford’s connection to The Bahamas began not with a plan, but with curiosity and a small island school that left a lasting impression.
In 2005, after Bill retired from his career in finance, the couple moved to Daufuskie Island off Hilton Head, South Carolina, a quiet community of about 500 people with no bridge to the mainland. The slower pace of island life suited them. They soon bought a boat and began exploring, eventually making their way through The Bahamas.
One day, while anchored off Little Farmers Cay, Exuma, they went ashore simply to “see what there was to see.” What they found was the small local school, one teacher and nine students. That moment changed everything.
“It immediately struck us that there was both a need and an opportunity to help,” Bill recalls. “The teacher, the kids, the community - they were exactly the kind of people you wanted to support.”
That first encounter sparked a long relationship with the Exumas and its people. In 2014–2015, Bill and Carol, together with their family, helped provide computers to 12 primary schools serving roughly 400 students. For them, supporting education was a natural starting point.
“It all begins with kids,” Carol says. “Youth development, arts, sailing, environmental awareness — all of these programs feed into one another.”
Their philosophy closely aligns with the mission of Friends of Exuma. Bill, who served as a Founding Board Director, believes a strong nonprofit ecosystem requires supporting organizations at different stages of development.
“There are some well-established charities that are highly visible and largely self-sustaining,” he explains. “And there are also important community programs that aren’t always initially as organized or well resourced. Those groups often need the most help building their capacity.”
Over nearly two decades of involvement in the Exumas, the Sanfords have watched community programs flourish. They point to youth initiatives — including sailing, arts, music, and environmental education — as clear examples of how targeted support can meet real needs.
At the same time, they believe environmental stewardship must remain central to the region’s future.
“Environmental sustainability is key,” Bill says. “The work happening through the Harbour Fund and other conservation initiatives is incredibly important, and there is still much more to be done.”
Although Bill and Carol have recently returned to Houston to be closer to family, their years in The Bahamas left a profound impact.
“One of the things I gained from traveling throughout The Bahamas was a real sense of wonder about the lifestyle, the environment, and the people,” Carol reflects. “It was a tremendous growth experience.”
For Bill, the deeper understanding that came with time spent in the islands only strengthened their commitment.
“It’s easy to visit The Bahamas and only see the bright side,” he says. “But when you stay longer, you gain a fuller picture of the challenges and opportunities. And that fuller view makes you want to help even more.”
Today, the Sanfords remain proud supporters of Friends of Exuma and its mission. They hope the organization continues to grow — strengthening its board, expanding its fundraising, and engaging the many residents who care deeply about the future of the islands.
Above all, they hope the programs that nurture young people and protect the environment continue to thrive.
“We came for the beauty,” Bill says. “But we stayed because of the people.”
In The Press
Bahamas Local: Friends of Exuma Announces First 2026 Community Fund Grants Totaling $212,000
The Nassau Guardian: BNT and Elizabeth Harbour Conservation Partnership announce new safety initiative in Exuma waters
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