Governance

World Bicycle Relief, NFP is a 501c-3 organization with seven independent, volunteer board members, founded in 2005. World Bicycle Relief's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 20-5080679.

World Bicycle Relief, NFP Board Members

Brian Benzer, Chairman
Brian has worked since 1995 at SRAM, where he is currently the VP of Corporate Development. In this role, he advises the line managers on strategic, legal, and tactical matters, and he has full oversight of human resources, corporate administration and investor relations. Brian also assists the president with identifying, negotiating, and integrating acquisitions including the successful acquisitions of Avid, Truvativ, RockShox, Zipp and Quarq. Brian graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature in 1988 and from the University of Chicago with an MBA, concentrating in Economics and Strategy, in 2001.

Stanley R. Day Jr.
Stan is the Founder, President, and Chairman of the Board of SRAM Corporation. SRAM Corporation is a global manufacturer of bicycle components founded in 1987 and has grown consistently to become the world's second-largest bicycle component supplier. Stan has spent significant time living in Asia and traveling the globe developing SRAM. Stan earned his BS in Business at Tulane University and his MBA at Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Michael Herr, Treasurer
Mike is currently the Chief Financial Officer of SRAM Corporation, a global supplier of bicycle components. A Certified Public Accountant, Mike began his career in public accounting before working at GE Capital. Mike is responsible for the finance, accounting, tax, and MIS functions of SRAM Corporation.

Mark Ishaug
Mark served the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (A.F.C.) from 1991 through 2010; he joined as a policy analyst and worked as policy director and associate director before being appointed chief executive officer in August 1998. As President/CEO, Mark helped to establish A.F.C. as the Midwest's largest HIV/AIDS service organization and Illinois' leading advocate for people with AIDS and the agencies that serve them. Prior to joining A.F.C., Mark studied and taught international economics at the University of Zimbabwe in 1987 as a Rotary Foundation Scholar, and in 1989, he was awarded a MacArthur Foundation Scholarship from Northwestern University for research on Mozambique. In 1991, his work in Africa led him to CARE International-Mozambique, where he monitored emergency relief efforts as the Assistant Director of the Emergency Relief Program. Mark has also worked in the program department of New York's Africa-America Institute, the nation's premier non-governmental organization committed to improving relations between the United States and Africa. Mark earned his BA in Government and International Studies at the University of Notre Dame and his MA in Political Science from Northwestern University.

Anthony Fitzhenry
Anthony is a founding member and director of the Non-Profit Organization Qhubeka (www.qhubeka.org), which promotes socio-economic development in Southern Africa and has been instrumental in the assembly and distribution of more than 35,000 bicycles to rural children and healthcare workers in the region. In 1989, Anthony founded Axiz (Pty) Ltd, which grew to become the largest IT distribution company in Africa. In 2003, he spearheaded the development of an Employee Ownership Trust, which allowed all Axiz employees to become employee owners and to democratically influence and benefit from the future growth of their company. He is a founding member and director of ‘Inqolobane’, The Employee Ownership Association Africa, an organization that fosters and kindles entrepreneurial democratic equity participation for the employees of enterprises in Africa. In 2006, Anthony was named ICT Personality of the Year by the Computer Society of South Africa, and in 2009, the South African State Information Technology Agency named Anthony one of it 15 ICT Legends for his contribution to the development of ICT in South Africa.

Bob Perkowitz
Bob is an entrepreneur, environmentalist, writer, investor and distance cyclist. Over the past 25 years, Bob has been President of direct marketing and manufacturing organizations with revenues reaching $600 million, including Cornerstone Brands, Smith+Noble and Joanna Western Mills. Bob currently is Managing Partner of VivaTerra, LLC and ecoSalon, LLC and a partner in Arqua Equity Partners, LLC. In addition to his work with World Bicycle Relief, Bob founded ecoAmerica, and serves on the board of the Environmental Defense Fund. He also served as Trustee of the Sierra Club Foundation from 2001-2007. Bob received a BS in Social Thought from Lake Forest College and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He resides in Washington, DC and San Francisco with his wife Lisa Renstrom. Bob has ridden his bike across North and South America, Australia, Europe and part of Asia. Bob is currently plotting to complete the Asia ride and pedal across Africa.

Todd Ricketts
Todd and his siblings Tom, Pete and Laura joined the Chicago Cubs Board of Directors in October 2009 when they acquired a controlling ownership interest in the club from the Tribune Company. Todd also manages an array of startups and successful investments, including the Higher Gear bike shops in Wilmette and Highland Park, IL. He has enjoyed a successful career in the securities industry, working at New York City-based NASDAQ start-up, Knight Securities, and later with his family's businesses. Todd and his wife Sylvie are active with a number of charitable organizations, including Project Run America, Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW), The Cradle and the dZi Foundation. Todd is a 1993 graduate of Loyola University Chicago; he also attended the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He and Sylvie have three children and reside in Wilmette, IL.

World Bicycle Relief UK, a limited company (by guarantee) established in 2011 is registered in England (Registration Number: 7550335). World Bicycle Relief UK is registered with the UK Charity Commission (Charity Registration Number: 1141613). For UK Giving, please click here.

World Bicycle Relief UK Board Member

Lucy Lynch
In addition to being a trustee for World Bicycle Relief UK, Lucy Lynch currently is the Head of Legal of Independent Franchise Partners, a London-based asset management company. Lucy has 20+ years of experience in the financial industry providing legal advice to a range of companies on financial services and commercial matters. Previously, Lucy was Managing Director and International Counsel for Morgan Stanley Investment Management, responsible for legal teams in Europe and Asia. Lucy received her LLB (Honors) from the University of Hull and completed her Law Society Finals at Northumberland Polytechnic.

UK 2012 Financial Statement

Where Our Funding Comes From

World Bicycle Relief receives support from individuals and institutitions; the majority of which comes directly from individual donors. We also earn income from the sale of bicycles to non-governmental organizations through our social enterprise program. Figures shown are based on our 2011 consolidated financial statements and independent auditors' report.

Where Your Money Goes

When you donate to World Bicycle Relief 77% of your money goes directly to fund our large-scale, comprehensive bicycle programs. Program expenses include bicycle purchases, shipping, assembly and distribution as well as mechanics training, recipient selection, community education, and program monitoring. Non-program expenses include administration, fundraising and marketing. Figures shown are based on our 2011 consolidated financial statements and independent auditors' report.

Financial Reports

For detailed financial information about World Bicycle Relief, please download our Consolidated Independent Auditors' Reports and IRS-990s. The IRS Form 990s below accurately reflect all of our activities in the US but do not reflect all of affiliated partner's (World Bicycle Relief Zambia) program activities in Africa. To get a more comprehensive view of World Bicycle Relief's activities globally, we recommend that you review the 2011 Consolidated Independent Auditors' Report below.

US 2011 Consolidated Independent Auditors' Report
US 2011 IRS-990
US 2010 Consolidated Independent Auditors' Report
US 2010 IRS-990
US 2009 Consolidated Independent Auditors' Report
US 2009 IRS-990
US 2008 Consolidated Independent Auditors' Report
US 2008 IRS-990

UK 2012 Financial Statement

Field Reports

World Bicycle Relief is committed to constant monitoring and evaluation of our programs. We contract third-party evaluators to assess the effectiveness of each project and compile results into field reports available to the public. Download our field reports to see The Power of Bicycles at work.

Mobility = Education
Mobility = Health
Mobility = Market Access
Mobility = Relief

Ratings + Affiliations

World Bicycle Relief NFP is a registered GuideStar Exchange Member.

World Bicycle Relief is an accepted Charity of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) of the U.S. office of Personnel and Management. CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 200 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally to help to raise millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season (September 1st to December 15th) support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. World Bicycle Relief's CFC#: 95568.

World Bicycle Relief's Buffalo Bicyles is a 2013 Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year.

World Bicycle Relief is a 2011 Chicago Innovation Awards Winner. WBR's Buffalo Bicycles Social Enterprise Program was selected from over 400 nominations as an innovation. Previous Chicago Innovation Awards winners include Abbott, Groupon and Motorola.

World Bicycle Relief is a member of AID for Africa, a unique partnership of 80 select charities, all dedicated to solving the complex, inter-related challenges facing Africa. Approved organizations meet specific tests of programmatic impact, fiscal accountability, and governance standards.

World Bicycle Relief is a United Nations Environment Programme partner.

In 2010, World Bicycle Relief was #12 on Barron's list of The World's Top 25 Most Effective Philanthropies.

Policies

World Bicycle Relief adheres to the following principles of excellence.