Executive Summary 

Charisma Sailing was founded upon our values and our belief in doing our part in helping to preserve our wonderful planet for future generations. All of Charisma Sailing’s programs and business activities directly benefit our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Enso-Gaia.

Enso-Gaia embodies the philosophy that we are all One. Since we are living in a world where the importance of interconnectedness can get lost, we connect people with nature by offering experiential education that promotes global understanding, personal growth and environmental awareness. 

We accomplish our mission by providing access to activities beyond each individual participant’s current reach. Guided experiences in nature aim to foster the understanding that each person is part of the circle of life and appropriate action is needed from each individual. 

Our vision is that an understanding of the interconnectedness of all lifeforms will enable future human generations to live in unison with nature on Earth. 

As an IRS approved nonprofit organization, described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Enso-Gaia needs funds to operate their charitable, educational, and other tax-exempt programs. While we may use a number of fundraising activities for financial support, a main program funding stream is the use or sale of donated boats and other vehicles.

Mission Statement

Enso-Gaia offers experiences to promote global understanding, environmental awareness and personal growth. We connect people to our natural world who might not otherwise have access, due to various barriers (mental, physical, socioeconomic, or other). Guided experiences in nature aim to foster the understanding that we are all part of the circle of life and need to make critical lifestyle changes. 

Vision

Our vision is that humans’ understanding of the interconnectedness of all lifeforms will help to restore the natural balance of the Earth and be protected in the same way that we protect our own bodies or our children. 

Organizational Philosophy

The Enso, a symbol from ancient Japanese calligraphy, represents the individual and the whole at the same time in cooperation. It describes the philosophy that although we appear to be separate from each other and from our environment, we are always a part of the whole. Everything is connected. 

Gaia is the Greek goddess which personifies the Earth itself. The word Gaia is a compound of two elements: Ge meaning the Earth and Aia meaning Grandmother, often Gaia is referred to as the Mother of Earth. 

In modern times the name Gaia has been connected to environmental theories. The Gaia theory of James Lovelock, first published in 1969, proposes that all living organisms and inorganic material on the Earth are part of a living dynamic system, which maintains the Earth as a fit environment for life. 

Humans as a species are struggling because we have lost our connection to who and what we really are, when we try to separate ourselves from the natural world. We have become disconnected with each other and the world around us. Therefore, understanding our connection to our ecosystem, and our place in it, is critical to the survival of our species. Every human being is on a “Hero’s Journey” (Joseph Campbell) of one kind or another, but all paths will eventually lead back to the natural world. 

Well-meaning, environmentally-minded people speak of such things as “stewardship”, and “preservation” instead of seeing that we need to wake up, participate, and understand natural laws. Life goes on, and evolution will continue, whether or not humans are a part of it.

Recognizing that each person is at a different point on their path to this realization, we will honor their stage in their journey and allow them to discover their individual interconnectedness. Mostly, a gradual realization through repeated experiences in nature will lead to the understanding of the role of humans in the natural world, and that appropriate action will need to follow. 

Our vision is that humans’ understanding of the interconnectedness of all lifeforms will enable future generations to live in unison with nature on Earth. As more people come to this realization, the few remaining natural areas on Earth will be protected in the same way that we protect our own bodies or our children. 

As Daniel Quinn wrote in his book Ismael, “You may ask ‘Why’, and it’s simply because it’s time…..necessary. People tend to be afraid of change, but at some point very soon, we will have no choice.“

Organizational Description

Enso-Gaia offers educational experiences year-round to bring people into close contact with the natural world. Our programs offer different modes to provide ample and diverse experiences in nature, to learn about what is around us all the time, and the abundance of nature. Our programs further this mission, and we work in cooperation with other groups with similar focus. 

People with limited access to nature are shown to have limited knowledge and understanding of the causes and effects of natural processes. Regardless of barriers, whether mental, physical, socioeconomic, or other; Enso-Gaia connects people with experiential education, designed to contribute to an understanding of global interconnectedness, leading to environmental awareness, personal growth, and critical lifestyle changes.

Personal growth happens when someone needs to go outside of their comfort zone. In an extremely positive manner, we encourage participants to experience situations that could initially be new and uncomfortable for them. Challenging boundaries and ultimately overcoming a small, safe "crisis" can be the life-changing experience to start appreciating nature. 

Through evaluation of prior experiences, needs and desires of what each person is  expecting to get out of the experience, we are connecting them to the activity that most closely fits their current understanding. The programming options are infinite, but all will involve simply being present in the experience with nature, while at the same time connecting with other people.

Program Participants

Anyone who does not have a deep or direct contact with nature in their everyday lives. The programs are offered to all levels of skill and experience. The initial focus is on youth, at-risk, and disadvantaged populations.

Program Focus

The business activities of founding donor Charisma Sailing enable Enso-Gaia experiential education programming to focus on sailing and other marine programs, such as canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding on South Florida's ample waterways and oceans. These programs aim to include elements of mindfulness as well as forms of community service and work projects.

Examples of Future Guided Program Options

In the future, the organization would like to expand programs to include expanded geographical areas and other activities, such as:

• Wilderness Adventure Trips 

• Camping/Backpacking 

• Hiking

• Mindfulness Movement Practices (Yoga, Tai-Chi, Pilates)

• Meditation 

• Paddle sports (Canoeing, Kayaking, Sea-kayak, SUP) 

• Rock Climbing 

• Mountain Biking 

• Equestrian 

• Community Service/Work Projects

Program Structure 

TEAM Concept 

A typical program is broken down into 4 basic phases; the duration of each is monitored and changed by the leader, using feedback from the group. 

T – Trust 

Building trust between the leader and the group, the team members with each other, and team members and volunteers. 

E – Endure 

A challenge is presented to the group in the form of a lesson or a “dangerous” situation to go through together. 

A – Achieve 

The challenge is difficult, but not insurmountable. This builds self-confidence, value and self-worth. 

M – Meaning 

The group relates the experience to each other and the leader to understand the connection between the experience and events within their everyday lives. 

Program Funding Streams and Use

As an IRS approved charity, described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Enso-Gaia  needs funds to operate their charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt programs. Under license CH73176 from the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, we may choose from a number of fundraising activities for financial support. A particularly successful fundraising program is the use or sale of donated boats and other vehicles. It follows a list of desired funding sources and their use.

• Monetary donations & grants

  • Staff

  • Programming

  • Equipment & supply donations

• Camping & hiking gear

• Sailing gear

• In-Kind donations

• Professional services

• Lodging

• Transportation

• Boats and other vehicles

• Direct program use

• Boats can be used for sailing programs

• Busses/Vans for group transportation

• RV for administrative use and transportation

• Sales proceeds used for program expenses

• Fundraising events & activities

• Proceeds will directly benefit programs with little to no administrative deduction.

Benefits of Qualified Donations to Nonprofit Organization

• Tax credits for full appraised value of vehicle or boat donation are available.

• Tax Deductions will be documented on IRS Form 1098-C and Form 8283, Non-cash Charitable Contributions. 

• Specific tax deduction information for donors is available on the 2022 IRS Publication 526: Charitable Contributions.