The five original co-founders of the National Rowing Foundation include: Richard Schwartz, Seymour Cromwell, Donald Spero, Conn Findly and Kent Michell. The idea of the NRF was first discussed in 1962 at the first World Rowing Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland. All five athletes had paid their own way or raised money to support their trip, including airfare, boat rentals and accommodations.
After the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, the group decided to formalize their plan to create a funding entity to support US rowers. Kent Mitchell and Don Spero set to drafting the organization’s bylaws, connecting with businesses and donors. The NRF appointed Horace Davenport the first Chair of the organization and with his leadership and generous support, the group had raised enough money to send 29 competitors to the second World Championships in Bled, Slovenia (formerly Yugoslavia) in 1966.
Beginning in 1974, the World Championships moved from being held every four years, to every summer. In 1997, the World Cup regattas were added to the International racing calendar.
Today, the National Rowing Foundation has expanded to support the US National Team of women, men, lightweights and juniors. Every gift to the National Rowing Foundation, gives our dedicated men and women representing the US at the highest level the experience, equipment, and travel necessities they need to pursue their dreams.