COLUMBIA MD | IRS ruling year: 2019 | EIN: 84-2462535
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
Organization Mission
Collect, refurbish, and give away bicycles with new helmets to children in need referred to us by schools, religious and nonprofit organizations, and government soci ... (More)
Rating Information
Great
This charity's score is 96%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Majority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members
10 out of 10 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 5 independent members
10 out of 10 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Material Diversion of Assets - None
10 out of 10 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Tax Form Disclosures and Policies
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed
3 out of 3 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed
7 out of 7 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed
7 out of 7 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed
7 out of 7 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes
3 out of 3 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website Disclosures
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website as stated on Form 990 - Listed
3 out of 3 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Metrics
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 0.00%
15 out of 15 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 98.92%
25 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
Additional Information
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Click or hover over the bar to see exact $ amount
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Edward Cochran, President
$0
Elizabeth Schultz, Vice President
$0
Chris Tsien, Secretary/treasurer
$0
Tom Lewis, Director
$0
Marc Tolson, Director
$0
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2024
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland Inc.) or EIN (842462535) in the 'Search Term' field.
Impact & Measurement
Score
97
This beacon estimates the actual impact a charity has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
$58,315 total costs / $274,703 worth of goods distributed = roughly $0.21 provides a dollar's worth of essential goods to someone in need [2021 USD]
Program Context
Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland: This program directly distributes goods that fulfill the basic needs of its beneficiaries.
Data Time Period
7/1/22 to 6/30/23
Benchmark for Scoring
Impact scores of goods provision programs are based on comparing the cost to distribute the goods against the market value of those goods. Programs receive an Impact score of 100 if the cost to distribute goods is less than 75% of the value of those goods and a score of 80 if it is less than 125%. If a nonprofit reports impact but doesn't meet the benchmark for cost-effectiveness, it earns a score of 65. This program provides goods for less than 75% the market value of the goods.
Methodology
This impact score was determined through the Goods Provision methodology which is fully detailed in the Charity Navigator Guide to Ratings. Analysis conducted in 2024 by Charity Navigator using data submitted by the nonprofit, theory and evidence from scientific research studies, and public datasets.
Data Source
The nonprofit submitted data on the composition and market value of the goods it distributed.
Measurement
86 out of 100 points
25% of Impact & Measurement score
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
The Measuring Outcomes assessment evaluates how well a charity tracks progress towards its mission's outcomes.
Displayed below are the responses provided by the charity for the Measuring Outcomes assessment. Each question is designed to address specific criteria, with responses eligible for full, partial, or no credit. Please refer to the scoring rubric for details on how responses are scored.
Selected program: Collect, refurbish, and give away bicycles for children in need, Submitted May-24
Program Planning and Design
17 out of 21 points
This section assesses the use of crucial evaluation tools in program objective-setting and activities.
Charity leadership uses information collected to make decisions regarding programs
Agree, uses information collected to improve programs
Charity has shared understanding across staff of how programs lead to the goals a program achieves
Agree, has universal understanding of how programs achieve goals
Charity has documents and reviews how program activities lead to change
Disagree, does not document or review
Charity revisits how program activities lead to change
Agree, does revisit how program activities lead to change
Program Development
28 out of 28 points
This section assesses the consideration of stakeholders in program objectives and activities.
Charity identifies program target population needs in the following ways
Discussions or surveys with target population on how program activities best serve their needs
Discussions with local community groups, including local government or other community leaders
Discussions with local nonprofits on their programs
Charity considers practical, cultural, and political needs and interests of those served by program
Agree, charity is responsive to practical, cultural, and political needs
Charity uses SMART Goals
Agree, identified Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART) goals
Data Collection and Analysis
17 out of 21 points
This section assesses the best practices used in collecting and analyzing program data.
Charity tracks program information in the following ways
Collects data before a program is initiated
Collects data during program implementation
Collects data when a program is complete
Charity collects programmatic information on those served by the program in the following ways
Identifies the number of those served by program
Collects demographic data of those served by program
Charity assesses program effectiveness at multiple points in time
Agree, collects information before and after a program is implemented
Reporting and Distribution of Results
21 out of 21 points
This section assesses reporting and disseminating program results.
Charity reports program results to key stakeholders
Reports results to stakeholders
Does not report results to stakeholders
Charity reports both favorable and unfavorable results
Yes, charity reports both favorable of unfavorable results
Use of Results
4 out of 10 points
This section assesses the use of results to guide learning.
Charity uses program results to inform future work for the following reasons
Improve program operations
Understand the impact of their work
Culture & Community
Score
82
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Does your organization collect feedback (i.e., perceptions, opinions, concerns) from the people meant to ultimately benefit from your mission?
Yes
Feedback Usage
100 out of 100 points
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences
To inform the development of new programs/projects
To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
To understand client needs and how we can help them achieve their desired outcomes
Practices
100 out of 100 points
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible
We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us
We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response
We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
Challenges
100 out of 100 points
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get people to respond to requests for feedback
It is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve
Equity Strategies™
73 out of 100 points
67% of Culture & Community score
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Equity Strategies™ - Number of Data, Policies & Processes
73 out of 100 points
This organization's score of 73 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is currently only implementing 1 Equity Practices.
The Equity Strategies™ checklist, developed by Equity in the Center™, consists of data, policies & processess that promote racial equity in operations and programs. The Equity Strategies™ were developed by Equity In The Center®, and collected in partnership with Candid.
Equity Data (0/7)
The organization did not respond to this question.
Equity Policies & Processes (1/7)
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission.
Collect, refurbish, and give away bicycles with new helmets to children in need referred to us by schools, religious and nonprofit organizations, and government social services agencies.
Vision Statement
10 out of 10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's vision.
Every child that wants a bike, has a bike.
Strategic Goals
20 out of 20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Continue to expand our impact by collecting, refurbishing, and giving away more than 2400 bicycles in FY 24.
Goal Two: Continue to expand our impact by working with all of the local Title 1 schools and the majority of the schools with the largest numbers of children qualified for Free or Reduced-price Meals
Goal Three: Continue to involve the community by increasing the number of unique volunteers in our all-volunteer organization.
Leadership
30 out of 30 points
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Investment in Leadership Development
15 out of 15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development.
Because we are an all-volunteer organization, we work to improve the capabilities of our frequent volunteers through focused peer-to-peer skill building.
External Focus on Mobilizing Mission
15 out of 15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Collaborative Engagement
Civic Engagement
Adaptability
30 out of 30 points
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Adaptability Statement
30 out of 30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Like many organizations, we were severely affected by the pandemic, especially since demand for bicycles skyrocketed and supplies of used bikes dwindled. The pandemic impact has diminished, but we are still managing the knock-on effects on the supply chain of bikes, bike parts, and accessories through the development of multiple sources and careful management of expenses.