SF Urban Riders has been busy trying to improve its financial situation in 2013, and gather momentum for our organizations events (SF MTB Festival) and projects (McLaren Bike Park). Unfortunately there is little truth to the old adage “Money Can’t Buy Happiness’… in fact nothing much happens in the non-profit world without adequate funding. Although SFUR has over-achieved for years running on nothing but financial fumes, that model has slowly evolved to better achieve our members lofty goals of trail access, bike parks, and competitive events all within county lines.
The results have been outstanding, and with your continued support and participation SFUR will be able to deliver.
Highlights of this years Fundraising Campaign include the Following:
Brews-4-Bikes @ SoMa Streat Food Park ($2,000) – Through the generosity of the Alaskan Brewing Company, who donated several kegs of tasty beer, SF Urban Riders was able to raise $2,000 at the recent Brews-4-Bikes event hosted at SoMa Streat Food Park on May 18th. Participants where treated to exceptionally hot weather, and fantastic Raffle prizes donated from BetaBrand, Mike’s Bikes, Roaring Mouse, Go Pro, Chrome, and Sports Basement. At the end of the day everybody had a great time, and those of legal age sampled everything from a Kolsch to an Imperial Dopplebock, and an American Pale Ale to an Imperial Red. Due to the weather Alaskan White Ale, and Freeride APA were the first to go.
SF Parks Alliance ‘Action Grant’ ($2,000) – SF Urban Riders is a fiscally hosted non-profit hosted by the SF Parks Alliance. The partnership is awesome, and sometimes leads to funding opportunities like the ‘Action Grant’, which funds events and projects that bring more stewardship to our parks. In June, SFUR was awarded an SFPA Action Grant for $2,000 for hosting the SF Mountain Bike Festival in McLaren Park this Fall. The funding will pay for course delineators, and habitat barriers to host both the McLaren Short Track Challenge, and the Youth/Family Bike Skills Area. SFUR will use the event to recruit volunteers from the cycling community to repair/maintain the trails in McLaren Park. This is a win-win for everyone!
MBP Founders Club ($500) – The McLaren Bike Park is a large scale capital improvement project, and although it is slowly coming to life, it is progressing nicely. One of the ways SFUR is funding the project is through the MBP Founders Club, which is comprised of dozens of SFUR members and local businesses. The funding helps pay for incidental costs in the Planning & Design process, and other costs not covered by grants or SFRPD resources. In the last quarter five more community members have stepped up and joined the MBP Founders Club at the $100 level. It is little commitments like this that make big dreams come true!
Here are a few commonly asked questions regarding SF Urban Riders Operation and Budget:
How long has SFUR been around? SFUR was formed in the Spring of 2008 by a group of local riders. Our first meetings were nothing more than dreaming big ideas over a few beers. SFUR has since become a recognized player in open space discussions around the city.
How Does SFUR Operate? SF Urban Riders operates by virtue of an ALL VOLUNTEER Leadership Group that donates approximately 1000 hours annually into the management, communication, fundraising, and planning of all activities, events, and projects. That includes leading volunteer groups on projects that benefit off-road cycling like Mount Sutro, and other open space trail projects.
What has SFUR accomplished in Five Years? SF Urban Riders is a recognized name at SFRPD and amongst many non-profit and neighborhood organizations which continue to lend support… probably the hardest element to win over and the easiest to lose. Our member/volunteers have contributed heavily to the Mount Sutro trail system since 2007. SFUR has also initiated the McLaren Bike Park Project and recently were awarded a $250,000 Community Opportunity Fund grant to initiate Phase One construction this Fall. SFUR has also worked hard to permit the the upcoming SF Mountain Bike Festival which will be held in McLaren Park this September. The SF MTB Festival will feature San Francisco’s FIRST Legally Permitted Mountain Bike Race and will be our largest fundraising party to date.
Why should I support the SFUR Mission? SF Urban Riders has proven itself to be the organization that can bring the most beneficial mountain bike improvements to the city. Our organization and its members have built positive relationships with neighborhood park groups, we actively work with land managers to build the best sustainable trails possible, and our projects and events continue opening opportunities for youth. Now it appears SFUR is talking part in the preservation of off road bike racing culture by opening dialogue with SFRPD about permitting cycling events. A successful SF MTB Festival will reopen the doors for other cycling promoters!
SF Urban Riders has the potential to deliver the cycling community some amazing things….. but it is gonna take some more volunteer hours and donations to meet our collective goals.
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