A Matching Grant Challenge to bring The Cycle Effect to Routt in 2022
Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation has committed to a $30K matching grant challenge to bring The Cycle Effect program to Routt County
Routt, CO — Dec 7, 2021 — The Cycle Effect has received a $30K matching grant from the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation (CSFF) to bring an expanded program back to Routt County in 2022. After running a successful six-week pilot program this past summer, The Cycle Effect saw a clear need and interest for a more robust program in Routt.
The Cycle Effect is thrilled to receive this matching grant and is asking the local community to help meet this match through donations, partnerships, and sponsorships. With full funding, The Cycle Effect can bring a year-round program to Routt County, which would provide over 80 days of mountain bike training, nutritional education, mentorship, community service, goal-setting, and college readiness to the participants. The program provides participants with a mountain bike and all of the necessary safety equipment, as well as year-round coaches and mentors. Programming also includes community outreach events to help more women experience mountain biking through partnerships with local schools, organizations, and community events.
While The Cycle Effect is committed to running a 2022 program in Routt, the scope of the program will be determined by community support. At a minimum, the Routt program will take place from March - October. The expansion to a year-round program that mirrors the other counties will depend on the amount of funding and support that is raised over the next 6-9 months. You can learn how to support at thecycleeffect.org/donate.
The Cycle Effect currently has year-round programs in Eagle, Summit, and Mesa Counties, aiming to provide mountain bike opportunities to over 200 young women, 70% of which are Latina and/or BIPOC, or face other challenges, including athletes whose families earn below the self-sufficiency standard.
The Girl’s Mountain Bike Program helps empower young women through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities. Of the young women who have been involved in the program for three years or more, 100% of the participants have gone to college and 75% are the first in their families to attend.
This past summer, The Cycle Effect brought a six-week pilot program to Routt County to assess the need and feasibility of bringing a permanent program to the area. During the six-week pilot program, The Cycle Effect coached 26 athletes over the course of 24 total practice sessions.The program was based at Howelsen Hill, with miles of trails at its disposal. The program reached the target communities that The Cycle Effect aims to serve: 92% of participants identified as an ethnicity other than white and 96% of participants were below the self-sufficiency level for Routt County.
Brett Donelson, Executive Director of The Cycle Effect, says,
“After realizing the success of our pilot program, it was clear that there is a need for our organization in Routt County. Our program focuses on welcoming young women into the mountain bike community and eliminating barriers in order to make this sport more accessible, while also integrating mentorship and life-skills into our coaching. We intentionally recruit Latina and other under-served young women. We continue to have success in our current communities and it’s such a natural fit to bring our program to Routt County.”
Brett Donelson, Executive Director of The Cycle Effect, joins a Routt County practice.
The Cycle Effect not only provides everything a rider would need, but also has coaches and mentors that weave life lessons into each session. A Routt County participant's mother illustrated The Cycle Effect impact,
“I want to express my gratitude for all your hard work to bring this program to our community. My daughter absolutely loved it! We've seen a positive change in her attitude towards trying new things, and she comes home super excited to teach the rest of the family what she learned. Her confidence has been boosted so much. It makes us so happy to see her blooming in a new area we never thought she would be into! You all do magic! Thank you, thank you so much!!”
The alignment between The Cycle Effect program and the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation mission is ideal. CSFF engages with communities to equip them with the tools necessary to improve pathways towards equitable access to wellness and quality of life. CSFF supports and empowers organizations in their capacity to respond meaningfully to community needs.
“CSFF is honored to partner with The Cycle Effect in bringing this incredible and impactful program to Routt County,” comments Mark Andersen, Executive Director of CSFF. “We are specifically impressed with the ability of The Cycle Effect to remove barriers for young girls to participate in the popular sport of cycling who may otherwise not have that opportunity.”
“Expanding our program to other communities has been a long-term vision and we are excited to see our program expand into Routt County. We are thrilled to see the community support for our program and are grateful for the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation’ matching grant. This is an exciting time for our organization and we are looking forward to making an impact in Routt County!” stated Vicki Flynn, Sr. Director of Development and Operations of The Cycle Effect.
The Cycle Effect is currently seeking matching gifts for the CSFF grant. The organization is also looking for community partners and advocates to help make this program a permanent, sustainable program in Routt County. To learn more about how to get involved visit thecycleeffect.org/donate or email Vicki Flynn at vflynn@thecycleeffect.org
Thanks to the 2021 Pilot Program Supporters
The initial pilot program was funded through a grant awarded by The Moniker Foundation, a private, family foundation that is expanding its efforts to Routt County. Other local community partners who helped make the six-week pilot program possible and helped The Cycle Effect reach the Latinx community included Integrated Community and Routt County Riders.
About the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation
Sara and Michael Craig-Scheckman established the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation in the spring of 2005 and the first grants were awarded in May of 2006. Since its inception, CSFF’s primary focus has been through the Youth Advocacy Project, which provides funding partnerships with Routt County nonprofit organizations that create equitable opportunities in health, education, and well-being for youth and families to achieve their optimal potential. In the near future, CSFF will be expanding its areas of focus to include equity in the arts and environmental justice.