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Wish for Wheels

EIN 59-3803048 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WISH FOR WHEELS IS A COLORADO BASED NON-PROFIT THAT GIVES AWAY BICYCLES TO CHILDREN RESIDING IN LOW INCOME AREAS. WISH FOR WHEELS DONATES THESE BIKES THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS CHOSEN BASED ON MEDIAN INCOME FOR THAT PARTICULAR SCHOOL.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
18
Volunteers
1,866
Highest pay
$150,357, managing director as of 7/2024

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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 17 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

    0 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 (1)
  1. $1.3 million spent. WISH FOR WHEELS EXISTS TO EMPOWER CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES WITH THE GIFT OF A NEW BIKE AND HELMET. OUR COMMUNITIES ARE STRENGTHENED AS VOLUNTEERS COME TOGETHER TO SERVE THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THROUGH THE GIFT OF A NEW BICYCLE AND HELMET, WE TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF 2ND GRADERS IN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, BROADENING THEIR SCOPE FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE WHILE BUILDING THEIR CONFIDENCE AS THEY MASTER A NEW SKILL. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2004, WISH FOR WHEELS HAS GIFTED OVER 100,000 BIKES AND CONNECTED OVER 550 COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR VOLUNTEERS TO OVER 400 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. OUR GOAL IS TO GIVE A NEW BIKE AND HELMET TO EVERY TITLE 1 SECOND GRADER IN THE US.

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 September 2005.

    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.