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Bike Library Inc

EIN 46-0957576 · Iowa City, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF BIKE LIBRARY INC, IS TO EXPAND CYCLING TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS, REDUCE AUTOMOBILE CONGESTION, PROVIDE EDUCATION IN PROMOTION OF CYCLING, AND PROVIDE THE GENERAL HEALTH BENEFITS THAT ACCOMPANY CYCLING. BIKE LIBRARY INC IS DEDICATED TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE RIDING BICYCLES FOR TRANSPORTATION.

Income
$424,165
Spending
$277,396
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
3
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$69,896, 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 43% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $221,706 spent. COMMUNITY BIKE SUPPORT AND EDUCATION: OUR ORGANIZATION FOCUSES ON RECYCLING AND UP-CYCLING DONATED BIKES, ADVOCATING FOR BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND EMPOWERING DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS THROUGH REPAIR, CARE, AND RIDING EDUCATION. WITH FIFTEEN PROGRAMS, OUR FLAGSHIP SIX-MONTH BICYCLE CHECKOUT LENDS REFURBISHED BIKES, OFFERING AN AFFORDABLE ENTRY IN BICYCLING . IN 2024, THE BIKE LIBRARY CHECKED OUT 114 BICYCLES, PROVIDING A PRIMARY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MANY.OUR AS-IS BICYCLE SALES ALLOW PATRONS TO PURCHASE LOW-COST BIKES AND PARTS. WE OFFER FREE PROGRAMS, REPAIR CLASSES, AND "RENT-A-BENCH" SERVICES GUIDED BY SKILLED MECHANICS. IN 2024, WE SOLD 539 AS-IS BICYCLES, AND THROUGH OTHER PROGRAMS SERVED A TOTAL OF 2000 PEOPLE WITH REFURBISHED BIKES. OUR YOUTH INITIATIVES PROVIDE FREE BIKES, SAFETY EDUCATION, AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR SCHOOL RIDES AND WEEK-LONG BICYCLE CAMPS. WE ENGAGE THE PUBLIC THROUGH COMMUNITY RIDES SO INDIVIDUALS GAIN CONFIDENCE IN CYCLING.

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 February 2015.

    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.