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Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Educational Foundation Inc

EIN 39-1686663 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BICYCLE FEDERATION OF WISCONSIN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC. IS HERE TO CULTIVATE, MOTIVATE AND UNITE A STRONG COMMUNITY OF CITIZENS AS WELL AS BUSINESS AND POLITICAL LEADERS TO MOVE BICYCLING FORWARD IN WISCONSIN-THROUGH EDUCATION, LEGISLATION AND INVOLVEMENT.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
33
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$104,417, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $1.1 million spent. BICYCLE EDUCATION - ONE OF THE CORE PRIORITIES OF FEDERATION STAFF AND MEMBERS IS EDUCATING ADULTS AND CHILDREN HOW TO RIDE BICYCLES SAFELY AND LEGALLY. EQUALLY IMPORTANT ARE CORRESPONDING PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN MOTOR VEHICLES HOW TO SAFELY AND LEGALLY SHARE WORK, THE FEDERATION ROUTINELY ENTERS INTO CONTRACTS WITH ORGANIZATIONS, STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE THOSE EDUCATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT PROGRAMS.
  2. $73,810 spent. MEMBERSHIP - THE FEDERATION HAS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS. THE FEDERATION SHALL HOLD AN ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS SHALL EACH YEAR AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
  3. $60,467 spent. MAGAZINE - THE FEDERATION PUBLISHES A YEARLY PRINT COMMUNICATIONS TO MEMBERS. THE RIDE GUIDE MAGAZINE, WHICH INCLUDES FREE LISTINGS OF RIDES IN WISCONSIN, INFORMATION ABOUT WISCONSIN TRAILS, AS WELL AS LISTINGS OF BIKE SHOPS, CLUBS AND TEAMS. THE MAGAZINE IS MAILED TO ALL ANNUA MEMBERS, AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR FREE VIA ISSUU, AND DISTRIBUTED FOR FREE TO BIKE SHOPS AND OTHER RETAIL BUSINESSES IN WISCONSIN AND OUR NEIGHBORING STATES.
  4. $18,690 spent. LOBBYING - THE FEDERATION HAS A MISSION TO CULTIVATE, MOTIVATE AND UNITE A STRONG COMMUNITY OF CITIZENS AS WELL AS BUSINESS AND POLITICAL LEADERS TO MOVE BICYCLING FORWARD IN WISCONSIN - THROUGH EDUCATION, LEGISLATION AND INVOLVEMENT. THAT MEANS DIRECTORS, STAFF AND MEMBERS DO LOBBY FOR TOPICS AND LEGISLATION THAT WILL IMPROVE BICYCLING IN WISCONSIN.
  5. LOBBYING - THE FEDERATION HAS A MISSION TO CULTIVATE, MOTIVATE AND 18690. 0. 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1996.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.