SPECIALIZED COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM

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1 SPECIALIZED COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM

2 DEAR SPECIALIZED RETAIL PARTNERS: At Specialized we re driven by a simple, but powerful fact: bicycles change lives. We started the Dealer Grant Program to support you, our retailers, with bicycling initiatives at the local level where the effects can be felt immediately within your communities. Over the years, we ve been proud to support hundreds of retailers who have worked tirelessly to get hundreds of kids on bicycles, miles of trails on the ground, and have even rallied for better cycling infrastructures. This is what inspires us, the work being done at the local level in the name of cycling. You are the key to success for Specialized s advocacy initiatives. We strongly encourage you to learn more about the brand-new Community Grant Program. We re confident you will be inspired to think of innovative ways you might be able to make a difference in your local community! You can find the Community Grant Toolkit and Application on B2B under the Advocacy Tab. The new program launches today, July 1, We are excited for a fresh start, as the Community Grant Program is an important step of a much larger improvement to our USA advocacy efforts. More important steps will continue to be made in the coming months, as we grow and strengthen our community efforts nationwide, and ultimately worldwide. This is just the beginning of great things to come all in the name of cycling. 3 In 2014, we saw a huge increase in participation and enthusiasm with many new retailers looking to be a part of the Dealer Grant Program. To keep pace with your energy and efforts we are redefining our Specialized Dealer Grant program our grant guidelines are clearer, our application process is straightforward, our review process is collaborative, and we even have a new name for the program!! These improvements are in place to allow you to continue your work towards making lives better; one bike at a time. Ride on, The Community Grant Team

3 INDEX OVERVIEW MISSION & PRIORITIES GUIDELINES WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION WHICH GRANT IS RIGHT FOR YOU BIKE EDUCATION & PRGRAMMING OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP TRAIL CONSERVATION & CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE RETAIL ENRICHMENT PROCESS APPLICATION PROCESS & CHECKLIST APPLICATION DEADLINES GRANTS WE WILL NOT FUND REQUIREMENTS CONCLUSION TERMS & CONDITIONS

4 MISSION & PRIORITIES OVERALL MISSION The Specialized Community Grant Program supports retailers and non-profits who are working together to improve lives and communities using bicycles and cycling initiatives as their engine. PRIORITIES We ve identified our priorities based on our vision for a healthier future. We envision a future where everyone has access to bikes a future that includes more fun and safe places to ride bikes and a future that has more people riding, rather than driving. In an effort to work towards this better future, we ve named 4 distinct grant categories where you and your cycling community can help us make the world a better place one bike at a time. Bike Education and Programming Trail Conservation and Bike Infrastructure Outdoor Stewardship Retail Enrichment (NEW) WHAT S IN IT FOR YOU The new Specialized Community Grant program provides you with an opportunity to take action right within your own community. We understand that our retailers know what their communities need most, so we want this Community Grant Program to support your unique advocacy efforts. Start reading, and then start doing! 7

5 GUIDELINES WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION All applicants must be an authorized Specialized retailer working in partnership with a certified non-profit (preferably 501c). Only applications that adhere to at least one of the grant priorities will be considered. *Please note: If you are applying for a retail enrichment grant you are not required to partner with a non-profit organization. These grants will be awarded directly to you, the retailer. WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION: MEASURABLE IMPACT COLLABORATION CREATIVITY Successful programs will have a proven record of community engagement, retention, impact and show promise for growth. We will be looking for an applicant s plans and ability to measure success metrics in order to evaluate the community benefit of the project or program. Additionally, applications that show strong community collaboration and cooperation will be strongly considered, as often these programs are the most successful and sustainable. Finally, while we provide examples of different types of grants under each category, these are not exhaustive lists; rather, we encourage creativity and thinking outside the box. This allows us all to discover new and innovative solutions to some of our most pressing challenges as we seek to build the bike movement and thus a healthier future. 9

6 BIKE EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING This grant category is focused on the behavioral aspect of getting more people on bikes. Grants will be awarded to organizations that are creating measurable impact through bike programming in their communities that encourages positive attitudes and behavior toward riding a bike. Applications that include lesson plans and/ or show evidence of instruction or learning within their program will be strongly considered. The following are some examples of programs that would fall under this grant category: OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP This grant category is focused on connecting people to the outdoors in an effort to protect and promote the places we all love to ride. It is designed to make sure cyclists continue to exist as an important and responsible stakeholder in public lands protection and stewardship. Programs awarded this grant will elevate awareness and importance of environmental conservation and stewardship, educate and engage community members in responsible recreation, and build a unifying voice for cyclists who are committed to preserving our public lands. Bikes as a means for mental and physical wellness Clinics/workshops on bike skills, safety, etc. Bikes as a means for connecting communities Programs that provide access to bikes for minority or low-income populations Extra consideration for projects and initiatives that work with youth (U-18) Example of Bike Programming Grant Application: Kozy Cyclery in Chicago, IL partnered with Active Trans to develop the Bikes on Wheels program. Through a partnership with the local parks district and school district, Bikes On Wheels loans a 20- foot trailer, 30 bikes, helmets, and maintenance tools to a community, free of charge, for a year. The bikes are shared between schools for the school year and then used by the park district for continued bike programming in the summer. Local police officers participate in skills courses for the students to reinforce bike safety training. The program aims to introduce this bike sharing model to communities and school districts across Chicago. Programs that build awareness around responsible recreation Conservation education Efforts to push for local legislation that will protect: parks and recreation areas, trails, and other public lands. Programs that teach outdoor stewardship as an ethical responsibility to leave behind a healthy environment for future generations. Example of an Outdoor Stewardship Grant: Black Mountain Cycles partnered with nonprofit, The Outdoor OutReach, to create a program that combines mountain biking with trail and environmental awareness. Adult and youth advance their bicycling skills, and at the same time they learn the importance of leaving no-trace and proper trail maintenance. 11

7 TRAIL CONSERVATION & CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE Grants will be awarded to projects and initiatives that protect, improve, and maintain our trails. Additionally, this grant will be awarded to projects that make towns, cities, and communities more bike friendly through improved bike infrastructure. RETAIL ENRICHMENT Grants will be awarded directly to retailers who want to make investments to their bike shops and retail spaces for community improvement. Conserving and maintaining trails Building and expanding trails Developing bike-friendly towns and cities Example of Trail Conservation Grant: Elephant Perch bicycle shop in Idaho partnered with Wood River Bike Coalition to for a program called, $5 Trail Campaign. Trail work is always a good thing but more important for the Sun Valley area as 111,000 acres and trails were damaged by wildfires in the area. People in the community can buy five feet of single-track rehab for 5 dollars and they are then entered to win a donated Specialized Camber Mountain Bike. Example of Cycling Infrastructure Grant: Alameda Bicycle partnered with Bike East Bay to help pass Measure BB on the November, 4, 2014 California ballot. Measure BB aims to significantly increase funding for bike projects in Alameda County, as well as, add funding for transit operations and expansion, smart growth development, local streets and roads repair, student bus passes, and targeted bike lane improvements. Expand retail square footage to build a community room to hold clinics, workshops, and/or host community events. Make your retail location a place where riders can recycle old bikes, bike equipment, etc. Create a program that will bring more community members to your shop; i.e. community service projects, teaming up with a local yoga studio, coffee bar, etc. Think outside the box! How can you improve your retail space to best benefit your riders and your community? 13

8 APPLICATION PROCESS & CHECKLIST PROCESS CHECKLIST Only an authorized Specialized Retailer Read Toolkit! will be permitted to submit an application Determine which Community Grant is right for you for a Community Grant. Please find the application on the Specialized B2B website Collect supplemental information: budget sheets, under Advocacy on the left-hand-side timelines, photographs, etc. navigation bar. Applications must be submitted Fill-out Application (*be sure to include electronically through the Specialized B2B supplemental information) site. Applications received from FAX, , Submit Application by appropriate deadline snail-mail, or messenger pigeons will NOT be accepted. Note: we will accept supplemental Print out Order Form and W9 Form such as budget sheets, PowerPoint, lesson Complete Order Form and W9 Form and send to plans, support letters, media articles, press releases, and pictures via . Sign Terms & Agreement form and send to All Community Grant applications will be evaluated by five members of the Community Grant Review Committee. All grants that are Fill out follow-up report and submit to awarded will be announced at the end of each individual deadline. For each application period Send photographs, press releases, and/or other approximately ten, $5,000 grants will be supplemental materials to awarded to different projects and programs. Apply again! APPLICATION DEADLINES Applicants must apply for all grants at least six weeks in advance of the start of their project/program/ conservation effort. Grants will be processed within 45 days of receipt of reward. Applications received within six weeks of program start will not be considered. Key dates: *Community Grant Program Fiscal Start: July 1 Deadline A New Application/Toolkit Launches July 1, 2014 Application Opens August 1, 2014 Application Deadline August 31, 2014 Application Review August 31 September 30 Award Notification October 3, 2014 Awards Processed by October 31, 2014 Deadline B Application Opens Dec 1, 2014 Application Deadline December 31, 2014 Application Review December 31 January 31, 2015 Award Notification February 2, 2015 Awards Processed by February 28, 2015 Deadline C Application Opens April 1, 2015 Application Deadline April 30, 2015 Application Review April 30 May 31, 2015 Award Notification June 1, 2015 Awards Processed by June 30,

9 GRANTS WE WILL NOT FUND REQUIREMENTS Individual Requests Fundraising events or charity bicycle rides Media Events Events (If you are applying to receive grant support for an event, please be sure your event fits strongly into one of our four categories of advocacy.) Product Raffles Open Street Festivals/Events Water Bottle Sponsorships If you are awarded a Specialized Community Grant, please fulfill the below requirements to receive your grant : Please ensure partnering, non-profit organization completes W9 form Please ensure partnering, non-profit organization signs terms and agreement form If awarded bikes/product/equipment please complete order form Use Specialized logos and collateral in brochures, banners, posters, webpages, etc. when applicable. If you are awarded a Specialized Community Grant, please complete the following at the end of your grant program or project: Please work with your non-profit organization to complete follow-up report and to If applicable, please photos from project or program to If applicable, please quotes, press releases, info-graphics, and diagrams, etc. to 17 *All forms can be found on B2B site.

10 CONCLUSION Thank you for your interest in the Specialized Community Grant. Hopefully, you re inspired and motivated to apply for a Specialized Community Grant and make your community better, one bike at a time. Please, if you have any questions do not hesitate to , CommunityGrant@specialized.com or emily.watts@specialized. com. 19

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