Charitable Contributions 2024

Each recent December (except the Covid-19 years when we had no income to speak of) PBC Treasurer Corey Eng has produced a 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 think you already know that they were both successful. We are in good monetary shape as a club. Income was earned through our club members’ hard efforts. I certainly appreciate you all and the skills and abilities you bring for the benefit of our club. I hope you appreciate each other!  ✎

In my opinion, this is why we do it: 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 that these donations are 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.

Let me be clear: if there was no Pioneer Century® or Seattle to Portland Finish Line, there would be NO charitable contributions. Our dues would be higher, probably at least double what they are now, just to meet fixed costs. There would be no pizza parties, no awards banquets, and the picnic would be ALL potluck. If an organization like TaborSpace came to us asking for a little help, the answer would be “no.” PBC would be a much different club.

I’m the first to tell you that 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 for 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. Reach out to any board member (or PBC Contact Information, login required) to share your thoughts.

The past two years Dave McQuery has advocated for sizable donations to help out the Banks-Vernonia linear trail. Many of us ride the trail and benefit from it, and the board agreed to Dave’s suggestion. Our donations to them have resulted in some dangerous bridge “lips” getting repaired and other repairs they had not been able to budget for. They have posted a plaque along the trail to give us credit.

In contrast, our awards banquet in early February is OUR celebration of US. Not so altruistic! The Quick Releases in December will help you find out how to submit award nominations, and the Quick Releases in January will provide the info on how to get registered to attend the ever-popular banquet. If you are new to the club, I encourage you to come to meet people and join in the fun of honoring some of the many special club members who made 2024 special. What with 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 to “reward” ourselves, and we hope you agree!

See you on the road!

Ann Morrow, President

Please note: Over the years we’ve developed Charitable Donations – Guidelines.

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