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Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition

EIN 77-0338658 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To build healthier and more just communities by making bicycling safe and accessible for everyone. We envision a community that values, includes, and encourages bicycling for all purposes for all people. Our overarching goal is to increase the number and diversity of people using bicycles for everyday transportation.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
32
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$183,058, president & executive director

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 65% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (3)
  1. $826,683 spent. Bike to Work / Wherever Day regional program reached more people and many newer riders in FY 2024-25 than the prior year. This annual program creates the largest impact on the people of the Bay Area of any SVBC program thanks to the coordinated efforts of bike and transportation organizations in all nine Bay Area counties. For example, participants in the Bay Area Bike Challenge collectively rode nearly 160,000 miles during May. Many of these trips replaced trips by car, reducing CO2 emiisions. This program encourages people of all types to get on a bike and perhaps create a new habit of biking to get to work, run errands, or just for the fun of it.
  2. $350,419 spent. In 2025, our El Camino Real bike ride, which historically has brought around 200 riders along the car-dominated roadway in safe, traffic-abiding bike buses, had its highest registration yet: 400 people. Later that year the advocacy team celebrated 14 miles of new protected bike lanes along El Camino Real in Santa Clara County. Our work around expanding access to bike share in Silicon Valley continued, supporting station expansions in Daly City and San Jos. We hosted events in churches, homes, and at community hubs to spread awareness and distribute discounts to the system. Finally, we continued to advocate for increased bike infrastructure across our two counties to promote access to safe and accessible cycling.
  3. $141,675 spent. The bike education program reached 354 students including 33 who took the Adult Learn to Ride class. Despite undergoing staffing turnover, the team taught 24 classes covering topics such as bicycle security, e-bike basics, winter biking, bike repair and maintenance, and commuting by bike. Seven courses were parts one and two of Smart Cycling, the prerequisites to becoming a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 September 2002.

    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.