Founded in 2019 with the mission of building a better future for cycling and cyclists, the Rapha Foundation now funds more than 15 organizations around the world committed to inspiring, empowering and supporting the next generation of riders and racers from under-represented communities in the sport.
The organization invests $1.5 million a year in grassroots activities and recently announced five new groups would be added to the list of recipients. Starting this summer, the Foundation will support the Grow Cycling Foundation, Black Girls Do Bike, Bear National Team, Experience Fayetteville and USA Cycling, who are joining a growing community of grantees around the globe.
Our five latest grantees join the sixteen other grassroots cycling organizations across the US, the UK, Europe, Australia and Japan, that were part of four previous rounds of funding.
The Rapha Foundation supports charitable organizations of all sizes that introduce underserved audiences to cycling. The Foundation will champion these organizations and take aspiring racers on a journey from their local park to podiums at the top of the sport.
Organizations in the EU, US, UK, and Asia-Pacific are all eligible for grants. Potential grantees are invited to apply for funding on a biannual basis. Applicants must be registered charities, including 501c3 organizations for US-based institutions, and equivalent institutions outside the US. Members of the public may nominate a grantee through the following link.
The Rapha Foundation has been made possible by Steuart Walton and Tom Walton, Rapha shareholders, along with Simon Mottram, the founder and CEO of Rapha. Steuart and Tom provided seed funding for the Rapha Foundation , distributing overall $1.5m in 2019.
GROW CYCLING FOUNDATION
Established following the death of George Floyd in 2020, the Grow Cycling Foundation aims to tear down barriers to entry into cycling and create new avenues into the sport for people from all walks of life. With a clear focus on people from marginalized backgrounds, the foundation builds inclusive communities and promotes opportunities for career development within the cycling industry. With support from the Rapha Foundation, Grow Cycling will develop a world-class 30,000 square foot pump track in Los Angeles, bringing a cycling ecosystem to an area that has never before been served such an opportunity.
BLACK GIRLS DO BIKE
Founded in 2013, Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB) is a charity that believes the simple act of riding a bike can facilitate life-changing experiences for women of all ages and backgrounds. With chapters across America, the organization builds riding communities wherever it goes, all thanks to the work of their 'hero' volunteers. And with support from the Rapha Foundation, BGDB is launching a dedicated racing team for women of color from across America. Open to all cycling disciplines and aiming to provide assistance with coaching, nutrition, and help with race fees and travel expenses, Black Girls Do Bike Racing aims to make a real difference to female athletes.
BEAR NATIONAL TEAM (BEAR DEV)
A dedicated XC mountain bike development team, 'Bear Dev' equips U23 riders with the skills and resilience needed to compete at the highest level of the sport. Founded in 2011 in Santa Cruz, California, Bear Dev goes beyond regular riding clinics and specialist training to foster a support network for their young riders, allowing them to grow in confidence on their journey towards success. With more than 30 riders now on the books, Bear Dev intend to use their funding to expand their current race program to include at least two more international blocks, provide additional support in Canada and the US and run more camps for
USA CYCLING
As the national governing body in the United States, USA Cycling is on a mission to develop the sport at all levels across the country and to sustain international racing success. Overseeing road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross and BMX, the organization supports all cyclists, from beginners to race winners. Having secured funding from the Rapha Foundation, USA Cycling will install a dedicated director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion whose responsibility it will be to extend existing DEI programs and create new ones to ensure everyone feels comfortable and included in the cycling community.
EXPERIENCE FAYETTEVILLE
Drumming up interest in the Athens of the Ozarks, Experience Fayetteville is on track to host the 2022 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships. The upcoming weekend of racing is the biggest in the sport and next year will be only the second time the event has been held in the United States. An elite cyclocross park will be established to host the event, which will then be a valued resource to any local aspiring future champions.
