named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Sponsor-Shift Program
Initiative that provides gently-used bikes to youth for one year, contingent on regular riding, goal setting, and progress reporting, to support transportation and sport access.
Trek Road Cycling Scholarship
Annual scholarship program that awards two young riders with a race-ready road bike, kit, coaching, team placement, and travel stipend to support entry into competitive cycling.
Trek Summer Ride Camp
Free summer cycling camp for youth that includes skills drills, mechanics training, nutrition education, group rides, and social-emotional development activities across NYC locations.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Youth Cycling Education and Access Programs 8 activities
- Bike racing scholarship programAwards bike racing scholarships valued at approximately $5,000 annually to two young riders, including a new race-ready road bike, helmet, computer, shoes, kit, annual license, travel stipend, one-on-one coaching, and team placement support. Recipients are selected based on participation and achievement in cycling programs.
- Nutrition and wellness education for young cyclistsProvides education on nutrition, hydration, fueling for endurance riding and racing, and budget-friendly food shopping as part of youth cycling programs to support overall health and athletic performance.
- Summer cycling camp for youthOperates a free summer ride camp for children in New York City, using Trek’s NYC stores as a base and Trek-provided bicycles. The camp is supported by matching grants and donations covering operational costs, coaches, and equipment.
- Youth bicycle maintenance trainingTeaches youth basic and advanced bicycle mechanics, including ABC quick checks, flat tire changes, chain repair, brake adjustments, bike cleaning, and identifying bike parts. Training supports long-term bike use and maintenance.
- Youth bike safety and skills instructionProvides structured instruction in bike safety, handling, and group ride etiquette, including emergency stopping, turning, communication, cornering, shifting, climbing, descending, pace line rotation, and bumping drills. Instruction is delivered to youth as part of cycling programs.
- Youth bike sponsorship programProvides gently-used bicycles to young people for a one-year period to support transportation, sport, or personal development goals. The program operates on a rolling application basis requiring referral or prior program participation, and includes goal-setting and progress reporting by participants.
- Youth cycling programs in New York CityOperates youth cycling programs in New York City to improve transportation access, address health disparities, and support youth development through structured riding activities, safety instruction, and access to bikes. Programs serve youth in underserved neighborhoods lacking existing bike programs.
- Youth group rides to cultural and recreational destinationsOrganizes group bike rides for youth to parks, trails, and cultural sites across New York City, including Central Park, Governors Island, Putnam County Trail, Coney Island, Owl's Head, Fort Tilden, and Prospect Park.
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Bicycle Distribution and Repair Programs 1 activity
- Bicycle donation and fleet maintenance programAccepts donations of bicycles and parts to sustain and grow the bike sponsorship and youth cycling programs. Partners with organizations like Major Taylor Iron Riders to receive donated helmets and high-end parts for building and maintaining a fleet of program bikes.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 1 activity
- Social-emotional learning integration in cycling activitiesIntegrates social-emotional development into group rides and cycling programs, emphasizing teamwork, self-worth, self-determination, goal setting, and resilience to support youth personal growth.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$74K
Contributions & grants$68K92%
Program service revenue$6K8%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$69K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$42K
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$69K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$69K
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +14.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aliya Tyus-Barnwell | Executive Director | 4 | $17K |
board members · 4
- Alex Ostroy — Director & Secretary
- Chris MacMurray — Director & Vice President
- Michael Fisher — Director & Treasurer
- Tracy Norton-Fisher — Director & President
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Another youth organization Partner — Youth organizations refer applicants to the Ride Up Grades sponsorship program.
- BMX Rider Partner — Featured in imagery as part of a partnership or sponsorship related to BMX riding.
- Bike New York Partner — Founder received training and instructional experience through Bike New York, informing RideUpGrades' approach to cycling education.
- I Challenge Myself Partner — Collaborates with I Challenge Myself, whose high school cycling program graduates are eligible for Ride Up Grades scholarships.
- Major Taylor Iron Riders Partner — Donates helmets and high-end bicycle parts to build the camp’s bike fleet and hosts sponsored riders in their youth and adult ride series.
- Ostroy Partner — Designs cycling gear and jerseys for the camp and sponsored riders, donates profits from a custom shirt, and facilitates connections to other brand supporters.
- SkratchLabs Partner — Provides financial support for rider race fees and camp operations, donates nutrition supplies, and collaborates with Ostroy on a team that includes Ride Up Grades-sponsored riders.
- Specialized Outride Fund Funder — Provides matching grants to cover camp supplies, insurance, bike repairs, and coach salaries.
- TREK Partner — Collaborates with Ride Up Grades to provide bikes and support to scholarship recipients.
- Trek Partner — Partner in the Race To the Top by Trek scholarship program, providing road bikes, helmets, and shoes to scholarship winners.
- Trek Bicycles Partner — Provides bicycles, facilities, and staff support for the free kids summer ride camp and sponsors the Trek Road Cycling Scholarship.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Comprehensive Support for Emerging Athletesmethodology: comprehensive-support-for-emerging-athletesBy providing equipment, personalized coaching, and team integration, we enable under-resourced youth to advance in competitive road racing, because sustained, holistic support compensates for systemic inequities and unlocks athletic potential.
- Equity Through Cycling Accessmethodology: equity-through-accessBy providing inclusive access to road cycling programs—particularly for youth from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds—we promote equity and leadership development, because participation in structured cycling builds confidence, competence, and community belonging.
- Integrated Youth Development Through Cyclingmethodology: integrated_social-emotional_learningBy embedding social-emotional learning within cycling instruction, we support positive youth development, because structured group rides foster self-determination, teamwork, and goal-setting in ways that build both personal resilience and cycling proficiency.
- Progressive Skill-Building Modelmethodology: progressive_skill_developmentBy increasing ride difficulty in alignment with participants' growing competence and confidence, we produce sustained engagement and mastery, because incremental challenges scaffold both technical cycling skills and personal resilience.