In 1971 it was not financial hardship that launched a new program at Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Rather, it was the tragic loss of a student by drowning, followed a year later by a class temporarily stranded in a boat. That same year, under Bill Covert's leadership, twelve students formed the Florida Presbyterian College Search, Rescue and Safety team. The team formally changed its name to the Eckerd College Search and Rescue team (EC-SAR) in 1973. In 1977, after six years of service to the campus's waterfront program, helping students in need and responding to student calls for help, EC-SAR, extended its rescue services to the Tampa Bay boating community. EC-SAR does not charge a fee for its services. Should the assisted boat owner want to make a contribution or donation to the EC-SAR program however, that can be arranged. This chapter describes this innovative program built by taking advantage of institutional setting, institutional needs, and community needs. Throughout the chapter a collaborative model for fundraising is described, however, the expertise of the waterfront staff in the development of funds and students should not be underestimated.