Grant Program

Granting Opportunities to Local Organizations

In addition to our riders volunteering on build sites and advocating for affordable housing in communities throughout the summer, Bike & Build disburses proceeds from our summer trips to organizations across the United States.

Supporting Affordable Housing Since 2003

Bike & Build has granted more than $6.6 million to 1,400 affordable housing organizations since our first summer in 2003!

Our Competitive Grant recipients put our support to good use. On average, each grant allows:

16
homes/apartments to be built or renovated
135
residents to benefit from these efforts

Check back in May to apply for a Competitive Grant

Bike & Build welcomes all housing nonprofits and service organizations to submit a grant application for consideration. Our program aims to mobilize young adults to affect the affordable housing cause—we welcome applications for established programs, non-traditional projects, and innovative new ideas.

Bike & Build requires that grant applications meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must have current 501(c)(3) status at the time of submission.
  • Grant requests must be between $500 and $5,000.
  • The project must substantially involve and engage youth or young adults (planning, implementation, etc).
  • Applications must come from organizations, not individuals.

Click here for the Bike & Build Grant Application 2018!

Any questions can be directed to [email protected]

Selection Procedure

Bike & Build’s competitive grant program empowers our young adult riders by involving them in the decision process of funding organizations and projects. While on the road, rider teams read over applications and decide as a group where they collectively want a portion of their money to go.

1

Review & Evaluation

After an initial screening period by office staff to make sure applications meet required criteria, applications are then divided and dispersed to all B&B trips. Participants on each trip will review, evaluate, and decide on funding for the pool of applications they receive. The group’s decisions will be sent to Bike & Build staff to certify.
2

Announcement & Award

Decisions will be announced via email to applicants in mid-October, with grant checks mailed shortly thereafter.
3

End of Year Report

All grantees will be required to complete an online report by October 1 of the following year after the award on the progress of the project.

Other Types of Grants

While the competitive grant program is the primary method through which Bike & Build donates the money it receives, we also empower our riders and hosts to support specific organizations directly.

Rider $250 Grants

All riders are able to designate one affordable housing organization of their choice to receive a $250 unrestricted grant.

Pre-Arranged Contributions

Bike & Build occasionally works with targeted affordable housing groups for various reasons, including longer or more in-depth build projects, among others. In these cases, a portion of our trips’ proceeds is reserved for these groups.

On the Road Donations

These contributions, typically $100, are made to local housing organizations as designated by the community centers, churches, schools and other organizations that host our trips.

2019 Applications will open in May!

The application period begins in May and closes in early June. Bike & Build must receive all applications by the date stated on the application; no exceptions.

2018 grant applications are closed. Please check back in May for our 2019 competitive grant application!

Start Your Grant Application

Apply Now

View Previously Successful Applicants

See Past Winners