Did you save some money on your Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals? How about passing that $$ along to a non-profit working in the cycling industry? Here’s a list of organizations to get you started, and we always suggest that you research your area and find a local organization that could use your help – financially, or with your time.
This is not an exhaustive list, it’s just a start. Want to share your organization of choice? Leave a link to it in the comments.
Donate Directly
Can’dAid
“Can’d Aid is a nationally recognized nonprofit that rallies volunteers from all walks of life to build thriving communities. Through our unique integrated approach, we distribute water, provide access and opportunities for underserved youth to experience music, arts, and the outdoors; and protect and restore the environment. Fueled by people power and in direct response to evolving community needs, our programs create transformational impact.”
Donate today and all donations will be matched up to $10,000.
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
“It is our goal to preserve, restore, and enhance trails in the Tahoe, Plumas, and Lassen National Forests in an environmentally sensitive and ecologically responsible fashion. We exist to bring a connection between the land and the people who enjoy it by teaching stewardship, restoring historic trail routes, and creating new paths through the Lost Sierra.”
Donate and learn more about the program here.
DeFeet Donates Socks
Winter months are especially hard for homeless families. this year DeFeet is donating socks to their local Hickory Salvation Army and Safe Harbor, an organization in their town that provides shelter, support, and training to women for long-term recovery.
DeFeet has reduced the price of seconds to $2.50 (through Friday, December 3rd) to make it easier to donate. For every pair of socks you donate, DeFeet will also donate a pair. The goal is to donate 200 pairs of socks, please help reach their goal by donating here.
You can also buy some Paul Sherwin Project socks with 100% of the purchase price going to the Paul Sherwin Project to help build a vocational school for women in Uganda
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship
We believe that trails are a gateway to the adventure, fun, exercise, and sense of wonder offered by the great outdoors. Our work expands and enhances sustainable trail networks so everyone has a place in enjoying and protecting the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Donate to their Timeless Trails campaign.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Their mission: “At Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), we believe that communities are healthier and happier when trail networks are central to their design. Since 1986, RTC has worked to bring the power of trails to more communities across the country, serving as the national voice for the rail-trail movement.” Did you know the High Line in NYC was part of their work? Get more information about their work and donate here.
Bikepacking Roots
“Bikepacking Roots is the only non-profit organization dedicated to the support and advancement of bikepacking, the growth of a diverse bikepacking community, the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride, and professional route development. We value human-powered adventure and an inclusive, engaged, and informed membership that makes a positive impact as we explore by bike.”
Join for free or become a sustainer.
Be Good Foundation
Created by Rebecca Rusch after touring Laos to see where her father died during the Vietnam War and discovering that there were, to this day, unexploded bombs effecting people in the region. The Be Good Foundation “creates opportunities for outdoor exploration, personal discovery, and humanitarian service at local, national and global levels. Priorities include removal of UXO, or unexploded ordnance, throughout Laos, protecting public lands for recreation and access to all, and partnering with other cycling-related nonprofits to fund impactful change in their communities.”
You can donate and find out more information here.
Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation’s mission is: “Empowering lives through sport. High costs of adaptive sports equipment and lack of resources should not keep individuals with physical challenges from being active. That’s where we come in.”
Project Bike tech
Help Project Bike Tech reach new students across the country and teach them valuable bike mechanics and life skills. Your support can change the lives of these students and give them a career path, pedaling forward through education.
Pearl Izumi gives back with Go Grants
Pearl Izumi is donating 5% of every purchase to fund Go Grants. Go Grants supports advocacy programs that can lead to more riders and more places to ride. They are using the Go Grants to give these local efforts a boost, through the hands-on involvement of Pear Izumi employees and donations that can unlock possibilities.
The League of American Bicyclists
The League advocates for “bicyclists in the movement to create safer roads, stronger communities, and a Bicycle Friendly America. Through education, advocacy and promotion, we work to celebrate and preserve the freedom cycling brings to our members everywhere.”
People For Bikes
“Since 1999, PeopleForBikes has created a prominent place for bikes in transportation, mobility, and recreation decisions at all levels of government. We ensure bikes are prioritized and positioned as a real solution to improve Americans’ health, connect communities, boost local and state economies, strengthen our nation and protect our planet. We accomplish this by being proactive and planning for the future, adopting a broad and inclusive vision for government affairs and making it convenient for leaders at all levels to take advantage of opportunities and legislation that prioritize bikes. Together, we work with federal, state, and local officials to make biking better for everyone.”
Donate to their End of Year Giving Campaign.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief combines impactful nonprofit programs with social enterprise sales to meet the staggering need for reliable, accessible transportation in developing regions. All donations can be made here.
Oasis Bike Workshop (Nashville, TN)
Oasis Bike Workshop is a year-round earn-a-bike program that empowers Nashville’s young people with alternative transportation and maintenance skills. Since it’s inception, over 3,000 young people have rolled out the door on bikes that THEY rebuilt and customized.
Kindness Wins
Kindness Wins‘ mission: “By identifying and supporting professional athletes as our champions, and elevating organizations and individuals who show and encourage kindness through sport, we are demonstrating that even in the most competitive environment, acts of kindness are possible, and their outcomes are impactful.”