Rapha Foundation Announces Third Round of Grant Recipients
On Wednesday, the Rapha Foundation announced its third round of grant recipients. A total of $750,000 will be going to five nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that serve to improve and empower lives through cycling, with a focus on youth and underrepresented communities.
“We are proud to announce the latest grantees for the Rapha Foundation. All five U.S. based organizations do amazing work to help engage and support the next generation of racers, particularly those who are under-represented in our sport,” said Simon Mottram, the founder and CEO of Rapha, in the press release. “The new grantees continue our support for young riders from underserved communities, which will be key to our mission of expanding diversity and inclusion in cycling.”
This round, grants were awarded to Cascade Bicycle Club, CYCLE Kids, Inc., Detroit Fitness Foundation, Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team, Inc., and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). The next round of grants will focus on nonprofit organizations outside the U.S. (Organizations can be nominated here.)
Here’s a closer look at the grantees:
Cascade Bicycle Club - Major Taylor Project
The Cascade Bicycle Club has served communities all across Washington state for the past 50 years and is one of the largest cycling nonprofits in the country. The grant will go specifically to the club’s Major Taylor Project—named after Marshall “Major” Taylor, the first Black American to win a world championship title in cycling. This project aims to bring cycling programs to youth of color at underserved schools, with a goal of reaching 500 students next year.
NICA - Girls Riding Together (GRiT)
NICA was also awarded a grant in the Rapha Foundation’s first round. The rapidly growing nonprofit brought mountain biking programs, coaching, and races to more than 22,700 student-athletes in 2019. The grant will go to its program for female students-athletes, called Girl Riding Together (GRiT).
Detroit Fitness Foundation
In a city with a higher poverty level, Detroit Fitness Foundation offers cycling programs, coaching, and facilities for all city residents, which are free-of-cost to those age 17 and under. The foundation built a velodrome in 2018, where it hosts summer cycling camps and youth programs. The grant will go toward funding the foundation’s elite junior development racing program.
CYCLE Kids, Inc.
Founded in 2004, this nonprofit works with public, private, and charter schools in various states—from urban schools to rural schools in the Navajo Nation—to bring cycling programs to students with the purpose of developing confidence, improving academics, and creating support. The grant will go specifically toward creating six new programs in diverse New York City schools, for funding group rides, races, and a mechanic training program.
Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team, Inc.
The Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team was created in 1991 to help foster promising young road and cyclocross cyclists ages 15 to 18. Along with developing athletic ability, the program focuses on personal growth as well, and boasts pro cyclist alums like Lawson Craddock, Emma White, and Ian Boswell.
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