Trips for Kids, an organization that provides transformative cycling experiences for children around the world through independently managed community chapters, has formed Trips for Kids (TFK) national, an entity focused on supporting the growth and refinement of its existing and future network of TFK chapters. Previously, those duties were handled by the flagship TFK Marin office.
In addition to the new organization, TFK has expanded its mission to include children of all communities, not just the underserved, in helping them build confidence, develop successful life skills, and gain environmental awareness through the simple act of having fun on a bike.
The move is part of a strategic planning initiative that began in the fall of 2016 and is aimed at leveraging the organization’s 28-year history of youth cycling programs, its network of 75-plus chapters operating across three countries and 30 states, and 15,000 dedicated volunteer chapter directors, ride leaders and bicycle mechanic instructors.
In January of this year, the board decided to separate the founding TFK Marin chapter from national efforts, and establish TFK national to focus on program development, chapter support and chapter expansion.
To date, TFK chapters have served more than 175,000 youth worldwide. TFK national’s goal is to reach more than half a million kids during the next ten years.
“What started out as a handful of volunteers taking local kids out for trail rides in Marin grew into a national movement,” said Chuck Lesem, TFK board president. “Our vision is that all kids, especially those most in need, have the opportunity to experience the joy of riding a bike and the freedom to explore the natural world on two wheels.”
Expanding the scope of TFK’s mission from primarily underserved youth will provide new opportunities for partnerships with parks departments, after school programs and other agency partners and expand potential program participation. This change also creates new opportunities for the development of revenue based programs that will be used to provide scholarships for individuals, families and communities to provide additional support for youth than previously available.
The newly formed TFK national organization will be managed by a separate board of directors and staff led by an executive director. T. Malouf and Company will be conducting the executive search.
Photo courtesy Trips for Kids
