Lucky Bikes
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Trips for Kids Denver Metro is to empower at-risk and disadvantaged youth by using the bicycle as a tool to foster positive life skills, healthy youth development, and a sense of fun and adventure.
- Income
- $658,709
- Spending
- $625,684
- Spent on programs
- 54%
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 46%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 52
- Highest pay
- $91,216, executive director
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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1554% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $47,593 spent. The Lucky Bikes Recyclery: Community centered, social enterprise, bike shop that services and sells affordable, used bicycles. We provide affordable, quality bikes, parts, and service. Every purchase at Lucky Bikes directly supports our bike programs, giving kids access to bikes, trails, and the skills to succeed on and off the bike.
- Earn a Bike: A multi-session bicycle education course for middle and high school aged kids. Kids don't just receive a bike, they build it, understand how it works, and ride away with the knowledge (and confidence) to maintain it
- $561 spent. Adventure Rides: Adventure-Filled mountain bike outings with expert instruction. Kids ages 10+ join our skilled ride leaders for half-day or full-day outings where they learn bike safety, trail etiquette, and the basics of mountain bikingall while exploring the outdoors, building confidence, and having a blast.
- $290,322 spent. Bike Shop Internship: 3-Month paid internship program. The Lucky Bike Internship uses the bicycle to open doors. Kids (ages 1422) gain hands-on job readiness training in a real bike shop while also building teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. By providing mentoring, technical training, and financial literacy, the internship helps students prepare for meaningful employment and brighter futures.
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
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.