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Cycles of Change

EIN 11-3821114 · Oakland, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO BROADEN ACCESS TO CYCLING AS A PRIMARY MEANS OF SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND FREE RESOURCES EMPOWER YOUTH & ADULTS TO GET ON AND STAY ON BIKES.

Income
$984,051
Spending
$946,850
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
30
Volunteers
60

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $244,572 spent. OUR SAFE-ROUTES-TO-SCHOOL/SAFETY PROGRAM CREATES CYCLISTS THROUGH LEARN-TO-RIDE EDUCATION DESIGNED FOR K-12 STUDENTS. IN FY 24-25, THE PROGRAM SERVED 48 SCHOOL SITES ACROSS ALAMEDA COUNTY, REACHING 6120 STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM INCREASED SAFE BICYCLING THROUGH DRIVE-YOUR-BIKE PE INSTRUCTION FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND BIKE RODEOS FOR ELEMENTARY AGE PARTICIPANTS. CYCLES OF CHANGE IS CREATING HEALTHIER & SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BY INCREASING THE CYCLING SKILLS & CONFIDENCE OF STUDENTS. BY TEACHING HOW TO RIDE SAFELY, WE ARE CREATING GENERATIONS OF CYCLISTS EQUIPPED WITH THE ABILITY TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES, IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH, AND FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH DAILY ACTIVITY.
  2. $317,523 spent. THE PHYSICAL CENTER OF OUR ORGANIZATION IS THE BIKERY, THE ONLY FULL-SERVICE COMMUNITY BIKE SHOP IN THE FLATLANDS OF EAST OAKLAND. THE BIKERY, LOCATED BETWEEN THE SAN ANTONIO & JINGLETOWN NEIGHBORHOODS, SERVES A MULTICULTURAL AND MULTILINGUAL LOCUS OF VARIED COMMUNITIES INCLUDING IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES, MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES, AND UNHOUSED PEOPLE. THE BIKERY IS COMMITTED TO MAKING BIKES ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL THROUGH AFFORDABLE USED BIKES FOR SALE, REPAIRS, CLASSES, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. THROUGH THE BIKERY'S COMMUNITY REPAIR SPACE, COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN SIGN UP TO USE TOOLS TO WORK ON THEIR OWN BIKE, ALONG WITH AN EARN-A-BIKE PROGRAM FOR YOUTH. THE SHOP IS A KEY RESOURCE FOR OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP RIDING THEIR BIKES.
  3. $218,813 spent. OAKLAND UPCYCLE CONNECTS OVER 180 LOW-INCOME EAST BAY ADULTS WITH FREE BICYCLES EACH YEAR. PARTICIPANTS GET EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO START BICYCLING AS THEIR PRIMARY MODE OF TRANSIT - A BIKE, LOCK, HELMET, LIGHTS, A PERSONALIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN, AND URBAN SAFETY TRAINING FROM OUR INSTRUCTORS, WHO ARE SEASONED BICYCLE COMMUTERS & EDUCATORS. -- OUR OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE: OUR AFTERSCHOOL BIKE CLUBS AT FOUR OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT PARTICIPANTS AT OAKLAND AND OTHER EAST BAY SCHOOLS TO LEARN BICYCLE MAINTENANCE, EARN-A-BIKE, AND LEARN SAFE RIDING SKILLS WHILE GOING ON LOCAL, PEDAL-POWERED ADVENTURES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2008.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.