AMERICAN SAUDADE, INC.

Transparency and Public Accountability Policy

Website: www.americansaudade.org
Organization: American Saudade, Inc. (ASI)
Status: Rhode Island 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Effective Date: October 15, 2026
 

1. Our Commitment to Transparency

American Saudade, Inc. (ASI) is committed to operating with integrity, accountability, openness, and responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to our organization.

As a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Portuguese, Cape Verdean, and Atlantic maritime heritage through education, historical research, cultural exploration, and community engagement, we recognize that public trust is essential to our mission.

Our guiding principle is ACTA NON VERBA — Deeds, Not Words.

We believe that transparency requires more than making statements. It requires honest communication, responsible decision-making, appropriate documentation, and a willingness to acknowledge both our accomplishments and our limitations.

2. Organizational Governance and Accountability

ASI is organized as a Rhode Island nonprofit corporation and is recognized as a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ASI is committed to:

• Maintaining appropriate organizational and governance records.

• Defining the responsibilities of its officers, directors, committees, and authorized representatives.

• Following its governing documents and applicable nonprofit laws.

• Documenting significant organizational decisions.

• Identifying and appropriately managing potential conflicts of interest.

• Maintaining appropriate oversight of financial and operational activities.

• Completing applicable federal and state reporting requirements.

Information about ASI's leadership, mission, and organizational programs will be made available through its website and other appropriate communications.

3. Financial Transparency and Stewardship

ASI is committed to responsible financial management and accurate recordkeeping.

As the organization develops, it will maintain records of income, expenditures, donations, grants, sponsorships, equipment purchases, program expenses, and other financial transactions.

ASI intends to:

• Use charitable resources in furtherance of its nonprofit mission.

• Maintain appropriate documentation supporting financial transactions.

• Distinguish organizational expenses from personal expenses.

• Document founder-funded expenses, advances, loans, reimbursements, and donated property or services, as applicable.

• Establish and maintain appropriate financial controls.

• Provide financial information and reports as required by law.

• Make legally required public financial and tax information available upon request.

ASI recognizes that its financial systems, fundraising activities, and administrative procedures will evolve as the organization grows.

We will communicate material developments accurately and will not represent planned financial systems or funding arrangements as already established.

4. Donations, Grants, and Sponsorships

ASI values the individuals, businesses, institutions, and organizations that may support its mission.

Contributions may take the form of financial donations, grants, equipment, materials, professional services, volunteer time, or other forms of assistance.

ASI is committed to:

• Communicating the intended purpose of fundraising initiatives.

• Using restricted donations in accordance with applicable donor restrictions.

• Accurately acknowledging contributions.

• Disclosing material sponsorship relationships where appropriate.

• Avoiding misleading claims about donations or charitable benefits.

• Following applicable requirements concerning donor acknowledgment and charitable solicitation.

• Respecting donor privacy and confidentiality.

Sponsorship recognition, including website listings, publications, and media acknowledgments, will not imply that a sponsor controls ASI's educational, historical, or organizational decisions.

ASI will not claim that a project is fully funded or that a contribution has been received unless that information is accurate.

5. S/V American Saudade and Maritime Projects

S/V American Saudade, a Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37, is central to ASI's developing maritime heritage and educational initiatives.

The vessel's restoration, refit, preparation, and proposed heritage voyages provide opportunities for education, documentation, technical learning, and community participation.

ASI recognizes the importance of clearly communicating:

• The vessel's ownership and relationship to the nonprofit.

• The distinction between proposed and completed refit activities.

• Significant project milestones and challenges.

• Funding and sponsorship arrangements.

• Safety considerations and operational limitations.

• The intended educational and charitable purposes of maritime activities.

ASI will distinguish between organizational assets and privately owned vessels or equipment participating in its programs.

The organization will not imply that a privately owned vessel has been donated to or legally transferred to ASI unless such a transfer has occurred.

6. SubSafe to SailSafe™ and Maritime Safety

Through its developing SubSafe to SailSafe™ initiative, ASI promotes disciplined approaches to vessel preparation, maintenance, safety, risk assessment, and operational readiness.

ASI recognizes that offshore sailing and maritime activities involve inherent risks.

Educational materials concerning vessel systems, seamanship, engineering, safety, and navigation will be presented responsibly and with appropriate qualifications.

ASI will not represent its safety program as an official U.S. Navy certification, an endorsement by the Navy, or a guarantee of seaworthiness.

Final operational decisions remain subject to qualified professional assessments, applicable regulations, and the responsibilities of vessel owners, operators, and masters.

7. Historical Accuracy and Educational Integrity

Historical research and education are fundamental to ASI's mission.

Through initiatives including 360 Deep™, Maritime Heritage, Family Albums, and History Is Not Black & White, ASI seeks to promote thoughtful inquiry and responsible preservation of historical materials.

ASI is committed to:

• Distinguishing documented facts from interpretation, opinion, and speculation.

• Identifying historical sources whenever practical.

• Presenting competing perspectives fairly and responsibly.

• Correcting material factual errors when identified.

• Respecting the historical context of photographs, documents, and personal accounts.

• Clearly identifying digitally altered, restored, enhanced, or colorized historical images.

• Avoiding presenting AI-generated reconstructions as authentic historical photographs.

• Welcoming additional evidence and constructive corrections.

360 Deep™ does not exist to promote a predetermined historical or political conclusion. Its purpose is to examine subjects from multiple perspectives, evaluate evidence, ask meaningful questions, and remain open to revision when better information becomes available.

8. Family Photographs, Oral Histories, and Cultural Collections

ASI recognizes that family photographs, personal documents, recordings, and oral histories may contain sensitive or personally meaningful information.

When receiving materials for preservation, educational use, or publication, ASI will seek to establish appropriate permissions and respect the wishes of contributors.

ASI intends to:

• Identify contributors and sources when authorized and practical.

• Respect copyright and intellectual property rights.

• Avoid knowingly misidentifying individuals or historical locations.

• Provide opportunities for contributors to clarify historical information.

• Explain the intended public use of contributed materials.

• Respect reasonable requests concerning privacy and attribution.

Submission of material to ASI does not automatically transfer copyright or ownership to the organization.

9. Educational Programs, Volunteers, and Internships

ASI envisions educational collaborations, volunteer opportunities, youth engagement, internships, lectures, workshops, and experiential maritime learning.

We are committed to communicating clearly about the status and requirements of these initiatives.

ASI will distinguish between proposed programs, pilot projects, active programs, and formally established institutional partnerships.

Volunteer and internship opportunities will be developed with attention to appropriate supervision, safety, accessibility, participant responsibilities, and applicable legal requirements.

We will not promise academic credit, compensation, certifications, employment opportunities, or participation in vessel voyages unless those arrangements have been formally established.

10. Partnerships, Alliances, and Institutional Relationships

ASI seeks to build meaningful relationships with museums, universities, schools, maritime organizations, historical societies, cultural institutions, government agencies, businesses, and community groups.

We recognize the importance of distinguishing between:

• Initial outreach and discussions.

• Proposed collaborations.

• Informal working relationships.

• Formal partnerships and signed agreements.

• Active jointly administered programs.

ASI will not publicly represent an organization as a formal partner, sponsor, or institutional endorser without appropriate authorization.

Our goal is to develop relationships based on mutual respect, shared objectives, and clearly understood responsibilities.

11. International Outreach and Goodwill Missions

ASI's Atlantic Islands Heritage Initiative, Great Circle Heritage Project, Goodwill Ambassador Program, and planned Cabo Verde advance missions are intended to foster cultural understanding, education, historical preservation, and constructive community relationships.

ASI recognizes that successful international outreach begins with listening.

We will strive to communicate accurately about mission objectives, representatives, activities, costs, accomplishments, and limitations.

ASI will not imply that exploratory visits, introductions, or preliminary conversations constitute official diplomatic representation or formal agreements with foreign institutions or governments.

International activities will be conducted with respect for local communities, customs, laws, and institutional independence.

12. The Future American Saudade Fleet

ASI envisions the eventual development of a network of participating vessels supporting maritime heritage, education, cultural exchange, and goodwill activities.

Participation in this proposed fleet would not necessarily mean that vessels are owned, operated, insured, or controlled by ASI.

Any future fleet program will require appropriate participation agreements, safety expectations, insurance arrangements, and clearly defined responsibilities.

ASI will accurately distinguish between its own vessels, affiliated vessels, independently owned participating vessels, and proposed future fleet activities.

13. Public Communications and Program Status

ASI uses its website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, publications, newsletters, and other communications to share information about its mission.

We are committed to communicating progress responsibly.

Because ASI is a developing nonprofit, some initiatives described publicly are long-term aspirations rather than fully operational programs.

Whenever appropriate, we will distinguish between:

Our Vision: What we hope to accomplish.

Our Plans: Activities under development or consideration.

Our Commitments: Activities formally approved or agreed upon.

Our Accomplishments: Activities completed and supported by appropriate documentation.

We recognize that schedules, resources, circumstances, and organizational priorities may change.

When significant changes occur, ASI will endeavor to communicate them accurately and in a timely manner.

14. Privacy, Confidentiality, and Responsible Disclosure

Transparency does not require the unrestricted disclosure of private or confidential information.

ASI will respect reasonable confidentiality concerning donors, volunteers, students, private individuals, personnel matters, sensitive financial records, and proprietary information.

Information will be disclosed as required by applicable law and organizational policy.

ASI's separate Privacy Policy governs the collection and handling of personal information through its website and related digital services.

15. Public Questions, Corrections, and Accountability

ASI welcomes respectful questions, constructive criticism, historical corrections, and inquiries concerning its activities.

Visitors, members, donors, volunteers, and community participants are encouraged to contact the organization when they believe information is incomplete, inaccurate, or requires clarification.

ASI will make reasonable efforts to review inquiries and respond appropriately, recognizing the limitations of a developing, volunteer-supported nonprofit.

We believe that accountability includes acknowledging mistakes and correcting them when warranted.

16. Policy Review and Continuing Development

This policy will be reviewed periodically as ASI's programs, governance, financial resources, and operational capabilities evolve.

Its provisions describe the organization's commitments and intended standards of conduct. They do not imply that every contemplated program, system, or procedure is already operational.

ASI's long-term objective is to build an institution worthy of the confidence of its members, contributors, partners, and the communities it serves.

Our Guiding Principle

Transparency builds trust. Trust builds relationships. Relationships build institutions.

American Saudade, Inc. is not simply working to preserve the maritime heritage of yesterday. We are working to build an organization that future generations can trust, participate in, and carry forward.

Our promise is to communicate truthfully, manage resources responsibly, recognize our limitations, welcome participation, and remain accountable to the mission we serve.

AMERICAN SAUDADE, INC. (ASI)

Preserving the Past. Educating the Present. Inspiring the Future.

ACTA NON VERBA — DEEDS, NOT WORDS

Effective October 15, 2026
www.americansaudade.org