BOULDER, CO (BRAIN)—Cannondale and Shimano have aligned with Fuji, Giant, Specialized and Trek to fund the Bikes Belong Grant Program by participating in the Employee Pro Purchase Program.
These Bikes Belong member companies collect a small donation from employees whenever bikes and equipment are sold at a pro-deal discount; this money in turn goes toward the Grant Program, according to a press release.
“Participating in the Employee Pro Purchase Program is an easy way for us to enable our employees to give back to the sport that makes their jobs possible,” said Dave Manchester vice president of sales for Cannondale. “They get discounted products, and bike projects around the country are funded—it’s a win/win.”
Distributed three times a year, Bikes Belong grants support bike paths, lanes, trails, and BMX facilities, as well as advocacy efforts like car-free street days. Bikes Belong administers the program, allowing every dollar from these corporate partners to go directly to funding projects. Bikes Belong has awarded more than $1.7 million since 1999.
“The Bikes Belong Grant Program has given grants in almost all 50 states, including 24 grants in Shimano’s U.S. home-base of California,” said Phil Morlock, director of environmental affairs for Shimano. “Participating in the Pro Purchase Program is good for bicycling in America because it creates more places to ride, and that means it’s good for the bike industry because there are more people riding.”
“Bikes Belong is delighted to welcome Cannondale and Shimano into the Employee Pro Purchase Program,” said Bikes Belong vice president Bruno Maier. “More companies participating in the program means we’ll be able to award more grants, and grants of greater value, to support bicycling projects throughout the U.S.”
To learn more about the Bikes Belong Grant Program and Employee Pro Purchase Program, visit bikesbelong.org/grants (click on link).
