After the club received its 501c3 non-profit status, we (the BRBC Board) felt we should formalize our process of giving out grants. The Advocacy Committee began researching how other organizations give our financial grants. We found a process that we liked and borrowed from it. To begin the process our application must be filled out and sent to the club for consideration. The application can be sent either via email at advocacy@blueridgebicycleclub.org or by USPS at Blue Ridge Bicycle Club Advocacy Committee, PO BOX 1496 Flat Rock, NC 28731. The committee will have 90 days from acceptance of the application to make a decision. We will make a response to the individual making the request and let them know whether their grant request is accepted or not.
BRBC is a volunteer organization which raises our funds through putting on the WNC Flyer in June. Due to this situation we request that a grantee, if it is a possibility assists us with volunteers for this event.
Grants need to be in line with the mission of the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club which is: To promote healthy and fun lifestyles through cycling in Western North Carolina.
To help guide our efforts as we undertake this mission, the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club developed a Strategic Plan. A key component of this plan is to increase advocacy efforts consistent with the mission of the club. Accordingly, four advocacy strategies were developed.
1) Advocate for the health benefits of cycling.
2) Advocate for cycling relating infrastructure (example, bike lanes, bicycle racks, signage, repair stations, etc.)If requesting funding for bicycle racks, please request our criteria for them.
3) Increase education for cyclists and motorists.
4) Support legislation to improve cycling conditions locally, statewide and nationally.
The grants program has been established with the intention to provide financial support for individuals and organizations in their efforts to achieve results consistent with these strategies.
Grant applications will be reviewed by a committee of BRBC members and awarded based upon merit towards achieving our goals and adherence to the guidelines outlined here.
Grant recipients will be notified of their award and organizations not eligible will also be notified. We intend to reply with our decision after ninety days of the acceptance of the grant request.
Presently, we intend to limit the grant size to a maximum of $1,500.00. Grant requests over $1,500.00 will require the full board of the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club for approval.
Grants will be available for projects in the Western North Carolina region with priority given to activities in the following counties, Buncombe, McDowell, Henderson, Haywood, Madison, Transylvania and Yancey.
Grants are intended for non-profit organizations, certain public organizations and volunteer efforts. We cannot fund for-profit companies through this program.
Funds allocated should be used during a specified time period and have demonstrable achievement metrics which can be publicly reported. A follow up report shall be provided to the BRBC Advocacy Committee within 30 days of completion of the project funded.