Committing to Our Mission
By Kristin Kinnamon, Board President
Every nonprofit should have a purpose, a problem you are trying to solve. Simply getting bikes is not the problem, for us or our customers. We had more than 300 bikes donated to us last year!
The problem is that bikes need maintenance and repairs. And people don’t have the tools or know-how to fix them. That’s the basis for our new mission statement:
Keeping People and Bikes Moving – with E.A.S.E.
Sharing Wheels Mission
We spell out how we achieve our mission below. To keep focused on it, we hired our first (part-time) executive director at the end of the year. A new shop manager starts in January 2020. But the most important work of Sharing Wheels could not be done without our volunteers.
We couldn’t repair all the bikes, help customers fix their own bikes, or make the impact that we do without dedicated volunteers giving us their time and talents. Volunteers keep bikes affordable, empower people with one-on-one mentoring, learn bike maintenance themselves, and make our nonprofit sustainable. 50 people gave 1,800 hours last year – equal to a full-time staff person.
Empowerment
Open Shop: The tools and bike stands at Sharing Wheels are available for anyone to use, no charge. Free advice is provided by Sharing Wheels staff or experienced volunteers. 4-10 people each week; 73% identify as low income.
Bike Lights: Low income customers who use their bikes for daily transportation can get free front and rear lights. 37 lights installed.
Affordability
Bike & Parts Sales: Sales of refurbished bikes and used parts are the main source of income for Sharing Wheels. We make sure to have bikes at all price points, so everyone can afford a decent ride. 250 bikes sold.
Work for Wheels: Customers without cash can volunteer time in the shop to earn the parts or bike they need to get around. 10 work-trade participants.
Sustainability
Kids Bikes: Volunteers fix used kids bikes each spring and fall for our Kids Bike Swap and Christmas House programs. We add the new parts and elbow grease needed to keep old bikes going for a new generation. 102 bikes went home with kids during our June Bike Swap. 108 bikes donated to Christmas House.
Bikes to Africa: Some bikes that would never sell still have value. We donate excess bicycles to the Village Bike Project and Vision 224. 111 bikes to Africa
Education
Repair Classes: We had only a few formal bike maintenance classes in 2019, but have recommitted to this important part of our mission in 2020.
Events: County Earth Day, Bike Everywhere Day, WSU Repair Cafes, Family Rides in Arlington and Marysville. Riverside Neighborhood National Night Out.
WorkSource Intern: We hosted a young man for 90 hours of job training.
2019 Budget
Adopted budget.
Revenue
| Bike Sales | $37,248 |
| Parts Sales | 23,580 |
| Donations | $17,400 |
| Grants | $10,500 |
| Classes | $1,472 |
| Total | $96,200 |
Expenses
| Salaries | $55,002 |
| Bike Parts | $14,599 |
| Rent | $10,500 |
| Insurance/Fees | $6,650 |
| Administrative | $2,775 |
| Other Shop | $4,800 |
| Total | $94,236 |
Grants & In-Kind Support
- Nysether Family Foundation – $6,500 grant
- BIKES Club of Snohomish County – $2,000 grant
- Everett Port Gardner Rotary Club – $1,750 grant
- Tulalip Tribes – $1,000 grant
- Boeing Employee matching funds – $1,000
- Sno-Isle Food CoOp – $917 “register round-up” donation, meeting space
- Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Church – $500 donation, group work party
- Snohomish Giving Circle – $400 donation
- 501 Commons – Satterberg Foundation – in-kind support