Mikes Bikes Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To assist in the development of an affordable and equitable bicycle infrastructure and support in developing nations where the bicycle can make an improvement in the general quality of life; To provide financing and mentoring to start-up bike dealers in an effort to strengthen and broaden the bicycle industry in nations of the developing world; To sponsor bike drives and facilitate the transportation of donated bikes to small retailers in developing countries; to educate local bicycle dealers in developing nations to improve the availability of bicycles and quality of service that local shops provide; To support local cycling culture, events and initiatives that bring people together and onto bikes.
- Income
- $69,215
- Spending
- $108,179
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 25
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 56% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 55% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
- $80,000 spent. Like many nonprofits in Africa, we believe that the bicycle provides a path towards solving many economic, social and health problems in Africa. Lack of transportation outside the main cities makes it difficult for children to get to school, for adults to find work and for AIDS patients to get the medical attention they need. Bicycles make remote villages much more accessible, thereby improving the conditions of the inhabitants. In the interest of creating a long-term and self-sufficient improvement in the lives of these impoverished individuals, we endeavor to create a sustainable network of bicycle infrastructure, including the availability and affordability of bikes, widely available technical and repair know-how, and the availability of tools and necessary parts. Mikes Bikes Foundation has been working closely with local shop owners in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and Kenya to provide the tools and capital necessary to start local bike shops. Of note, 1st female mechanic and shop owner has been successfully running her own business since 2021 in Lesotho.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 21, 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.