Why would anyone donate a yacht to charity?

Yacht donation provides yacht owners, crew, and brokers with an immediate, convenient, and efficient alternative to selling or trading a vessel.

120' 2008 Benetti
The yacht donation of this 37m – 120′ 2008 Benetti to AMIkids in 2019 was facilitated by Neil Emmott, superyacht broker at Superyacht Sales and Charter in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Yacht donors benefit by furthering their philanthropic goals and can obtain a tax deduction for their contribution.

What is the process of Yacht Donation?

Each potential donation receives a thorough assessment by our dedicated yacht donation facilitators.

When agree to evaluate a potential contribution, the donation process is the following:

Appraisal:

A qualified appraiser selected by you will determine the yacht value. We cannot be involved in the selection of the appraiser or the determination of the yacht value.

Ask your trusted yacht broker about obtaining an appraisal for donation.

91' 2018 Custom Brooklin Boat Yard SONNY
The yacht donation of this 91′ 2018 Custom Brooklin Boat Yard “SONNY” to AMIkids as a lease vessel in 2021 was facilitated by Hank Halsted, Senior Yacht Broker at Northrop & Johnson in Newport, RI.

Survey

We will obtain a separate survey of the yacht to determine which one of our donation program alternatives suits it best.

There are two general avenues for yacht donations:

Outright SaleLease Program
Maximized convenienceMaximized value
  • Generally the fastest and easiest alternative.
  • We will close on the vessel and then sell it.
  • The sales value will be the basis for your tax benefit.
  • We will invest to improve the vessel and then lease it with interest-free terms.
  • The appraised value will be the basis for your tax benefit.
Lower value boats donated are usually sold outright. If we accept a contribution with a requirement that the yacht be sold, then the same steps will be required except that we will not certify that we will make improvements and market the yacht for sale through reputable channels immediately after the donation.

Closing

Once we agree to accept the contribution, we will work with you to document the process and complete the necessary paperwork.

Improvements and Marketing

We will invest in improving the yacht. Once improvements are complete, one of our yacht brokerage industry partners will help us with marketing it to qualified individuals.

Lease or Sale?

Most donated yachts are made available for lease or sale with interest-free terms to qualified individuals. You can learn more about Leasing a Yacht from AMIkids here.

43' 2017 Custom Carolina Cinco Boatworks
The boat donation of this 43′ 2017 Custom Carolina Cinco Boatworks to AMIkids lease program was facilitated by Charlie Nicklaus at C. Nicklaus Starling & Associates in Palm Beach, FL.

How can yacht donors claim a tax benefit?

AMIkids will create deeds of gift, IRS Forms 8283 and 1098-C. Potential or interested donors should consult with their financial and tax advisors to determine if yacht donation is the right alternative for their individual situation and to understand the particularities of their contribution.

The yacht donation of 89′ 2007 Moonen “BOTTI” to AMIkids was facilitated by superyacht broker Josh Gulbranson at Fraser Yachts in Fort Lauderdale, FL as a lease program vessel.

Lease or Outright Sale: What is the best alternative for me?

Our dedicated team of yacht donation facilitators is available on a full time basis to guide yacht brokers, potential donors, and their advisors through the process of yacht donation. You can select a yacht donation facilitator here.

Why donate a yacht to AMIkids instead of other organizations?

We have been in business since 1969 and processed over 6,000 yacht donations. We have a specifically dedicated in-house team to manage yacht donations efficiently and collaborate with the brokerage community to benefit the industry. As a result, we have earned industry respect and consider ourselves the best possible alternative for discerning individuals.

The proceeds from yacht donations and other philanthropic gifts allow flexibility to direct resources where needed, providing continuing support for 5,000 youth every year. Since it’s begining, the AMIkids yacht donation program has impacted 160,000 lives.

The donation of 78′ 1990 Knight & Carver sportfish yacht “Croupier” to AMIkids was facilitated by yacht broker Matt Serafin at Bluewater Yacht Sales in Palm Beach, FL.

Philanthropy funds help sustain initiatives in experiential education, mental health, infrastructure, teacher recruitment and retention, reach and service enhancements, scholarships, girls’ programming, and innovative workforce development endeavors.

I believe in charity organizations where fundraising directly reaches the Mission. I choose AMIkids because they are the gold standard in Yacht Donations. AMIkids takes care of their donors and their boats; but most importantly, they go out of their way to help vulnerable youth become productive members of society.

Hank Halsted Northrop & Johnson

In every instance, AMIkids has handled my clients’ donations professionally and with the donors’ best interests in mind. I recommend AMIkids and nobody else. With AMIkids, my clients come away with the great feeling that they have helped make a difference in troubled kids’ lives!

Jud Black Bluewater Yacht Sales

AMIkids is the go-to team for yacht donations. Their program is designed to follow strict protocol to protect the donor following current IRS guidelines all the while utilizing the donated proceeds for youth educational schooling throughout the country.

Lon McCloskey Yacht Sales Professional

We always knew about AMIkids, but in 2019, I became involved in a transaction and took an interest in learning about the work various schools do. It struck me —supporting AMIkids is a way to pay back. I got involved in helping kids in rough environments make better choices and get on a better route to success. I was happy to be invited to join the board of trustees and help contribute in the ways that I can.

Neil Emmott Partner at Superyacht Sales and Charter

We have been fortunate to have a relationship with AMIkids over several years and to be a part of what they accomplish so well. AMIkids motivates the community to give back and, in doing so, provides children and adults alike opportunities to share, learn, give, and grow. We look forward to a lasting involvement with AMIkids!

Roy Merritt Merritt’s Boat & Engine Works Brokerage

Get involved

We accept yacht donations, refit, and then lease or sell them. Our donors benefit from a safe and convenient alternative to selling or trading their yachts and obtain a reasonable tax benefit. Our lessees benefit from competitively priced and recently improved inventory with interest-free lease terms.

All proceeds help empower young lives to discover their true potential.