Charitable Contributions
The end of the year brings a PBC financial assessment to allow your board to determine what, if any, charitable contributions might be made to share our monetary success with other bicycle-focused organizations in our community.
We’ll discuss the profits from the Pioneer Century® and the Seattle to Portland (STP) finish line. I can assure you they were both successful. We are in good monetary shape as a club. Income was earned through our club members’ hard efforts. Well done and thank you all. Portland Bicycling Club gives the community any money determined to be over and above what may be needed for the club to function in the coming year. I make this point because some are unaware and because I think it’s an important function of our club. In recent years our treasurer has tallied the profits of these two events, projected a budget for the upcoming year, and suggested a dollar amount that might be comfortably disbursed to the community in the form of charitable contributions while leaving the club financially sound. ✎
Bicycle rides are truly what PBC is all about. Most of us joined because of the bike riding. But I think it’s of great value (both for us and our beneficiaries) that we also give back to our community in the form of financial assistance to other like-minded, bicycle-promoting organizations. In other words, we don’t just take from the community, blissfully riding our bikes around town. No, we play hard, but we also work hard and share our bounty with organizations that will further improve our bicycling community.
It’s time to start considering who we might share our success with if it’s determined that we are able. This is YOUR club. What organizations do you think warrant some assistance? The board welcomes your opinions, thoughts, and concerns regarding these contributions. Last year, Dave McQuery suggested a sizeable donation to help the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. This was a new idea. But most of us ride the trail and benefit from it, and the board agreed to Dave’s suggestion. Our donation to them has repaired one dangerous bridge approach, fixed the worst of numerous potholes, and the balance of our funding will soon be used to repair a second bridge. Should we continue to help on that trail?
These are last year’s donations, which totaled $12,000:
| Recipient | Dollar Amount |
| Banks-Vernonia State Trail | $5,000 |
| Community Cycling Center | 1,500 |
| Bikes for Humanity PDX | 1,500 |
| Bike Farm | 500 |
| The Street Trust | 500 |
| Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway | 2,000 |
| Bike Index | 400 |
| Columbia River Gorge Kiwanis Club | 100 |
| Faithful Savior Lutheran Church | 500 |
| TOTAL | $12,000 |
In contrast, our awards banquet in early February is OUR celebration of US. Not so altruistic! The Quick Releases will help you find out how to get registered to attend the ever-popular banquet and how to submit award nominations. If you are new to the club, I encourage you to come to meet people and to join in the fun of honoring some of the many special club members that made 2023 special. But, between awards, subsidizing dinner and other bling handed out to members, it costs a few thousand dollars – again, money earned through your hard work. It seems to be a popular way for us to “reward” ourselves, and we hope you agree!
See you on the road!
Ann Morrow, Vice President