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I CHALLENGE MYSELF INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 562423423 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE N60 · Recreation & Sports · Small ($100K-$1M) · ichallengemyself.org
revenue
$502K
expenses
$465K
net assets
$156K
employees
0
program ratio
84%
mission · from form 990

I CHALLENEGE MYSELF ENCOURAGES AND SUPPORTS PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO EMBRACE CHALLENGES

profile · synthesized from sources

I Challenge Myself Inc is a New York City-based nonprofit that uses cycling and physical challenges to support public school students in developing perseverance, resilience, and life skills. The organization integrates goal setting, team building, and nutrition education into its school-based programs, serving middle and high school students across the five boroughs. Its initiatives aim to improve fitness, mental health, and academic outcomes through experiential learning.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

4toFIT
Youth development program designed to bring structure and skill-building to physical education classes, based on ICM's cycling program model
College Bike Tour
Program that combines fitness with college readiness by having high school students visit local colleges and universities by bike
Cycling Smarts
School-based cycling program offered as an alternative physical education class in NYC public high schools; includes training rides, bike maintenance, strength training, and culminating endurance challenges
ICM Teen Triathlon Challenge
Spring triathlon program in which students train for and complete a half-mile swim, 10-mile bike ride, and three-mile run at Riverbank State Park
UPLift
Youth development program focused on fitness and personal growth, part of ICM’s suite of school-based offerings
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Youth Cycling Education and Access Programs 2 activities
    • Citywide cycling access and instruction programs
      Provides Learn to Ride sessions, guided rides, and fitness activities across all five NYC boroughs in partnership with the NYC Department of Transportation, and accepts donated bicycles from the public to expand access.
    • College readiness and community engagement through cycling
      Combines fitness with educational advancement by organizing bike visits to local colleges and universities for high school students, and requiring students to design and implement community projects that promote healthy activities.
  • Transportation Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Reform 1 activity
    • Advocacy for cycling safety and infrastructure improvements
      Co-presents proposals for cycling safety improvements, such as on Amsterdam Avenue, with city agencies at community board meetings to promote safer streets for youth and adult cyclists.
  • Program Evaluation and Impact Research 1 activity
    • Program impact evaluation and alumni research
      Conducts research on program outcomes through alumni surveys, documenting sustained participation in physical activity, improved nutrition and exercise knowledge, and ongoing biking involvement.
  • Coached Athletic Training Programs 1 activity
    • School-based youth cycling and triathlon training programs
      Operates school-based cycling and triathlon programs for public school students, including weekly coached swim, cycle, and run sessions to prepare youth for a half-mile swim, 10-mile bike ride, and three-mile run. Engaged 400 students during the 2024-2025 school year across New York City.
  • Organized Running and Triathlon Events 1 activity
    • Youth development through community cycling challenges and events
      Organizes culminating and competitive cycling events such as end-of-year distance challenges (5 to 65 miles), Cycling Olympics, and the ICM Teen Triathlon Challenge to promote resilience, skill development, and sustained participation in physical activity.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Youth leadership and apprenticeship development
      Enrolls Youth Cycling Apprentices to gain leadership experience, serve as peer role models, and support program delivery.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$502K
Contributions & grants$500K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$465K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$358K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$185K
Cash$145K
Investments$0
Liabilities$30K
Net assets$156K
Liquid reserves3.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +7.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
QUENTIN BALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $123K
board members · 12
  • ALAKA WILLIAMS — DIRECTOR
  • ANDREW PARRILLI — DIRECTOR
  • AYA DESIMONE — DIRECTOR
  • DAGMARA BORRE — DIRECTOR
  • DANIEL FEIT — DIRECTOR
  • DOMENIC BONAVITACOLA — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN FERRANTE — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN MCORMICK — DIRECTOR
  • LAURA SCHULTE — DIRECTOR
  • SERENA STANLEY — DIRECTOR
  • VALERIE FRED — FORMER DIRECTOR
  • VAN SHELL JR — DIRECTOR
relationships · 13

Who they work with

  • Borough of Manhattan Community College Partner — Hosts program participant after high school graduation, indicating educational pathway support.
  • Department of Transportation Partner — Collaborated with I Challenge Myself to present a joint proposal for safety improvements on Amsterdam Avenue.
  • Facebook Partner — Platform used for social media outreach and engagement
  • George Washington Educational Campus Partner — Hosts the I Challenge Myself Cycling Smarts program and collaborates on youth advocacy initiatives.
  • Instagram Partner — Platform used for social media outreach and engagement
  • LinkedIn Partner — Platform used for professional and organizational outreach
  • NYC Department of Transportation Partner — Expanded partnership to deliver Learn to Ride sessions, guided rides, and fitness activities through Open Streets, Summer Streets, and Bike the Blocks across all five boroughs.
  • NYC cyclists Partner — Engages skilled NYC cyclists as volunteers to support youth and adult participants in cycling programs.
  • New York City Public Schools Partner — Partnership to offer Cycling Smarts as an elective physical education class in NYC public high schools.
  • The Aspen Institute Partner — Supports I Challenge Myself's integration of skill-building into physical education programs.
  • Twitter Partner — Platform used for social media outreach and engagement
  • USA Triathlon Foundation Funder — Supports the ICM triathlon program
  • YouTube Partner — Platform used for video content distribution and engagement
strategies · 2

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.

  • Challenge-Based Youth Development
    methodology: challenge-based youth development
    By engaging youth in physical and experiential challenges, we foster resilience, self-efficacy, and emotional regulation that transfer to academic and personal life, because overcoming effortful obstacles builds 21st-century skills and redefines failure as a growth opportunity.
  • Youth-Led Civic Advocacy
    methodology: youth_led_advocacy
    By involving youth in developing and presenting safety proposals to local government, we build agency and civic engagement, because real-world advocacy fosters ownership, critical thinking, and community connection.