Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Ghisallo Cycling Initiative

EIN 45-3031077 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our primary work is enabling youth to develop into self-sufficient and confident riders who have the skills and knowledge to use their bicycles for transportation without depending upon adults. We envision a future in which kids riding bikes to school and adults riding to work is viewed as normal, and all have access to bikes at an affordable price or cost. We provide programs that support bicycling as transportation, physical activity and socialization for all ages.

Income
$822,836
Spending
$858,985
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
12
Volunteers
101
Highest pay
$120,000, board chair (1/1-12/9), ed (1/1-12/31)

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $288,591 spent. Cycle Academy programs enable youth to develop into self-sufficient and confident riders. Over 5970 participants received Bicycle Skills Challenge based training as part of over 130 clinics, and over 1063 participants received in-depth Bike Club programs in Austin and San Antonio, Texas. We supported over 20 schools across Austin as part of Bike to School Day. Both cities produced Trick or Treat on the Trail events related to youth pedestrian safety on Halloween with a combined total of over 1,350 attendees.
  2. $45,936 spent. Golden Rollers programs engage older adults and provides an opportunity for adults ages 50 and older and/or with differing abilities to engage in bicycle and tricycle based recreation, exploration, and transportation. In Austin, we led 169 Trike Club classes at 5 sites serving 8 district recreation programs and over 800 participants and 1 safety presentation. In San Antonio, we led 38 Trike Club classes with 175 participants and 1 group ride.
  3. $354,191 spent. City Cyclist programs educate and motivate the general population by hosting local events and participating with local groups, community nonprofits, and businesses that want to promote cycling safety. In Austin, we produced Bike to Work Day with 46 Fueling Station and 1,768 riders, Cyclovia ATX with over 500 attendees and 45 partners. Austin also produced 22 adult focused programs such as BikeStart clinics, Beginning City Cycling clinics, and experiential Group Rides reaching 499 participants and another 565 through presentations and direct community engagement. In San Antonio, we produced 6 bike maintenance clinics, 7 experiential Group Rides, participated in Siclovia, and hosted a fueling station during Bike to Work Day.

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

  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 December 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 May 2013.

    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.