It’s incredible to consider the impact that Bike & Build has had over the past seven and a half years.
In our short history, Bike & Build has mobilized over 63,000 volunteer hours and more than $2.3M in contributions to affordable housing groups, which have built affordable homes for countless families throughout the U.S. Through our trips, over 1,000 young adults have developed a personal and immediate understanding of the affordable housing cause and related issues, and have worked side-by-side with community groups in hundreds of cities and towns throughout the U.S. We’ve also raised the visibility of the affordable housing cause to tens of thousands of donors, supporters, and spectators. And – I think it’s safe to say – we’ve all had a lot of fun doing it! Participation in Bike & Build has also been a formative and important experience for our riders and alumni. Their involvement in a Bike & Build trip has helped to cultivate and catalyze leadership and teamwork skills, and develop civic and charitable proclivities which will serve them and their communities throughout their lives.
In November of last year, Bike & Build’s board, staff, and a number of alumni met in Philadelphia to consider the organization’s future, and think through ways to increase the organization’s impact. As a result of our discussions, the group developed newly formulated mission statement, which I’m excited to share:
“Through service-oriented cycling trips, Bike & Build benefits affordable housing and empowers young adults for a lifetime of service and civic engagement.”
I believe that this succinctly captures and expresses what Bike & Build aims to does. Importantly, it also marks an expansion of our mission by challenging Bike & Build to engage alumni for their lifetimes, well past their summer on a Bike & Build trip. We’re excited to take this on, and are actively thinking through ways do so. The group also developed a new vision statement and identified a number of strategic priorities –ensuring best practices in safety; increasing support of and impact upon affordable housing efforts; engaging, inspiring, and training constituents; and refining processes and systems to better develop efficient and sustainable operations – which we’ll be working to implement. We’re excited at the possibilities that this process has raised. You’ll be seeing the effects of this as the programming continues to improve and as we roll out new initiatives.
The success of Bike & Build has been the result of the contributions and talents of a huge community. Our fantastic riders and alumni, affordable housing partners, donors and supporters, community host groups, volunteers, staff members, and board of directors have all helped the organization to steadily grow and improve. I’m thankful and humbled to be a part of such a passionate group, and hope to count on the talent, energy, and kindness of this community as we continue to grow Bike & Build.
All the best,
Marc Bush
Founder & Chair
This past December more than three dozen B&B alumni gathered in sunny Orlando for the third annul Chris Webber Memorial Ride (or CWM10 for those in the know). After a quick re-orientation the group began the four day trek to Ft Lauderdale, stopping along the way to spend New Years Eve in West Palm Beach. Highlights of the week include the traditional New Year's Day costume contest (Halloween has nothing on us), forty DOZEN gigantic donated cookies, impromptu dance parties (It's a Party In the F-L-A) and a Prom.
This year's event was the largest and most successful ever, donating more than $13,000 to the Memorial Fund as well as $2000 to our build partner, Habitat for Humanity of Broward County. Thanks to our hosts, friends, Chris' family and all of the participants for helping make CWM as awesome as it has become!
Applications are now available for the next round of the Chris Webber Memorial Fellowship.
The Fellowship is a one-time award of up to $5,000, and may be used to finance an individual’s participation in a project, supplement his or her income from regular employment or volunteer efforts, or involve the individual in any other traditional or non-traditional affordable housing project.
More information about the award and process can be found here. Please note the deadline for applications is March 1st.
Applications are now online for Bike & Build's second annual Capital Ride!
Looking to get your B&B fix but don't have time to do an entire summer? The Capital Ride is two weeks long and B&B alumni have the option to sign up for either one or two weeks.
Week 1 begins on July 10th in Richmond VA and wraps up July 17th in Washington DC. Week 2 begins July 19th and concludes with a build day in Philadelphia on the 24th. Fundraising is $850/week.
Apply now - spots are filling quickly!
Athletes For Affordable Housing is a new organization formed by Bike & Build alumnus Brian Garland (CUS09) to further aid in raising funds and awareness for affordable housing and homelessness in America. Based on the modern concept of "racing for charity", AFAH coordinates endurance competition participation and provides all the tools, tips, support and swagger for preparing for the event, completing the event, and celebrating afterwards. All in exchange for fundraising goals and a commitment to see the nation, change the nation, and have a great time doing it!
Athletes For Affordable Housing is looking for people interested in becoming a part of their Madison to Chicago 200 Mile Relay Race team.
This continuous 2 day relay taking place the 2nd weekend in June is sure to be an incredible time so get a slot now before they fill up!
E-mail AFAH@thebuild.org for more information and check out the website: www.thebuild.org.
- 240 Miles
- 38 Riders
- 5 Days
- 1 U-Haul Truck
- $0 spent on food
- $15,077.22 Donated
Bike & Build is looking for finance/accounting help.
Specifically-someone who can work with the Executive Director and may develop into a Board of Directors Treasurer position.
- We’re looking for someone near Philly ideally but can discuss other options.
- Knowledge of finance and accounting principles.
- Experience working with nonprofit finance preferred but not necessary.
- Helping Rosemary with finance statements, annual audit, general accounting questions, budgeting process.
- Willing to donate approximately 5 hours a month
A Bike & Build alum would be great but if you know any qualified non B&B alum who may be interested in volunteering, that’s ok as well.
Email Rosemary for more information or with any questions: rosemary.dirita@bikeandbuild.org.
With help from Brad Milison (B2SB09) we've gotten our official B&B YouTube channel up and running! Take a look and add us as a friend. We're working on adding more content, so if you have anything let us know!
We've received a sponsorship from Flip Video so there should soon be a ton of videos from this upcoming summer!
Join a city specific mailing list to stay up to date with B&B in your area. Connect with fellow alums and meet participants for the upcoming summer.
- Boston
- Chicago
- Charlottesville
- DC
- Hanover
- NC
- NYC
- Philly
- Portland
- Providence
- SC
- Seattle
- **SFBay** (NEW)
E-mail Kristian with suggestions for new cities.
What - you've never seen a tandem bike with two B&Bers in zebra print Snuggies? Maybe you should make it down to Florida next year!
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