What is BCRF?

Bubbly Creek Rowing Foundation ("BCRF") is a non-profit organization dedicated to the sport of rowing (see note). BCRF primarily assists the development of the rowing program at Northwestern University by acting as strategic advisor and financial enabler. BCRF also actively solicits alumni and community involvement in support of the Northwestern Crew Team.

Advisory Role

BCRF advises the President/Executive Board of the team on strategy, including assistance in establishing and achieving long-term team goals (i.e. varsity status). BCRF assists in managing and advocating team relations within Chicago and the national rowing community.

Financial Management Role

BCRF solicits alumni for donations, but also solicits others such as parents of rowers, community businesses and other organizations. These donations are used to promote the sport of rowing at Northwestern, including the purchase of equipment such as boats, oars, a trailer and truck. BCRF expects to begin raising a boathouse fund, which would be used to help the team build/secure space in any future Chicago or North Shore boathouse development. Another role involves the ownership of certain equipment that the team is currently unable to own. For example, Northwestern University will not allow the team to own a boat trailer or truck. BCRF is the owner of the team trailer. This arrangement is possible since BCRF is registered as a rowing club through USRowing and now receives a group insurance policy through that organization's provider.

Other Responsibilities

Other BCRF responsibilities include, but are not limited to, working with the team alumni chair to coordinate all alumni involvement and working with the fundraising chair to coordinate fundraising efforts. We hope that all alumni are able and willing to help us get this organization off the ground, and will support it with donations of time and money. While we realize that everyone has existing commitments and may be unable to meaningfully contribute to BCRF, any help is greatly appreciated. To learn more, please contact us.

A Note:

Bubbly Creek Rowing Foundation (BCRF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization whose mission is to support the sport of rowing at Northwestern University by serving as the alumni association for Northwestern Crew. BCRF is an independent organization; it is not affiliated with, or sponsored by, Northwestern University. The activities of BCRF include fundraising for the short and long term benefit of Northwestern Crew. Funds contributed to BCRF do not come under the control of Northwestern University; any such funds are disbursed at the discretion of BCRF.