2026 APPLICATION IS now OPEN!
The 2026 Application season opens on October 15th through December 15th.
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Eligible applicants include:
~501c3 Nonprofits serving financially-challenged individuals~
~Tribes~
~Public Schools~
~Municipalities~
in Wisconsin
We distribute bikes through our vast network of 501c3 nonprofit partners who serve financially challenged individuals, through public schools, Tribes, and municipalities in Wisconsin. Reminder: We give bikes to both kids and adults.
• Applicant organizations can apply for 1 bike up to 100 bikes so we can equitably provide bikes throughout the region. Please note that our giveaways are dependent upon the success of our bike donation drives so the number you request cannot be guaranteed. If you’d like to spread the word about our need for gently used donated bikes, you can learn more here. We collect bikes in Madison area and Neenah.
• A $25/bike application fee is required. Bikes for Kids WI will be investing on average $150 of labor and parts on bikes. We are subsidizing the bikes by 75-90% and ask for a minimal fee to help us cover some of our costs in this partnership so we can continue the program.
• Looking for a bike for yourself or a family member? Please reach out to your school social worker or a nonprofit you receive services from. They receive our bikes and determine the recipients. You can call the bike center at 608-405-0385 if you are having a transportation crisis and we will do our best to work with you to provide assistance.
3 Ways We Distribute Bikes
• In-person Bike Giveaway Events: this event takes place on a Saturday in the spring (March) at our bike center in Madison. Participation is through the invitation of a 501c3 nonprofit serving financially challenged individuals, school social workers, tribes, or municipal governments that have applied to receive bikes.
• Bulk Pickups: these work great for organizations outside of Dane County that have applied for bikes. Your organization would register for the bikes, provide us with the list of sizes and data on the recipients through a form we provide to you. Then, we would schedule your pick up of the bikes Monday-Friday in Madison. Saturday pick ups may be possible.
• Voucher Program: this program works best for organizations that need bikes on an as needed basis rather than receiving 20-100 bikes at once. Job centers, food pantries, refugee networks in the Madison area often fit this style well.
WATCH A VIRTUAL INFO SESSION WITH MORE DETAILS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
*NEWS FOR PROSPECTIVE DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS*
In 2024, we had to make a major change to our program due to the increased demand for our services, due to the increases in costs for parts and labor, and due to organizations applying for bikes but not arriving to pick up their bikes. In the past, Bikes for Kids, a small nonprofit with a $205,000 annual budget in 2024, was funding all bikes and helmets for organizations. In our desire to have long-term sustainability, we had to make a change. We now have a true partnership model where applicant organizations pay a small application fee. We continue to subsidize the costs of bikes heavily of 75-90% of the costs.
An application fee of $25/bicycle will be applied to Bike Distribution Partners. Our fundraising continues to fall short to fund the costly Bike Giveaway program that requires thousands of hours of skilled labor. Many in our community have grown to depend upon our services. We are asking Bike Distribution Partners to fund the application fees through sponsorships or however they see fit. For schools, be sure to check with organizations that have adopted your school as this is likely a minimal fee for them to cover. *Please note, refunds cannot be given for individuals who do not show up to receive their bikes.
BIKE DISTRIBUTION PARTNER POLICY FOR NONPROFITS OVER $750,000 ANNUAL BUDGET
501c3 nonprofit organizations with annual budgets over $750,000 may apply for bikes but will have a different pricing structure.
*For Larger Nonprofits (Annual Budget $750,000 or more):
A bulk rate applies based on the type of bike requested:
● Non-Geared (Children’s) Bikes: $30 each
● Geared Youth/Adult Bikes: $75–100 each
These rates reflect significant subsidies. Our cost for geared bikes averages a minimum of $150 per bike, and many are valued between $600–$1,000 retail price.
*Government entities (tribes, municipalities, school districts) are exempt from this fee structure.
CLICK TO VIEW OUR BIKE DISTRIBUTION PARTNER POLICY
Bikes for Kids handles collecting and repairing bikes but we rely on our distribution partners to select bike recipients to ensure they’re going to those most in need. These organizations then register bike recipients for the bike giveaway program in the spring.
Applications are reviewed on an individual basis. For first time applicants, it’s best to talk with us about the process before you apply. Applying for bikes requires organizations to have one point of contact to register recipients and coordinate the giveaway event with your families in April/May. Please send an email to start the conversation.
