For the record, yes, IRS records are public information.  The nonprofit tax 
form is known as a 990.  BFW is also required to write an annual report each 
year as part of its membership in Community Shares of Wisconsin.  The report 
has to be complete by the end of the next year (that would be the end of 2007 
for 2006).  I know that BFW has completed its annual audit...and thus has all 
of the data for the annual report.  I do not know if they have submitted their 
990 for 2006...but it is due no later than November if they've filed for an 
extension.

I do not recall what the requirements of the annual report are (community 
shares would have that information)...but I always included percents on what 
revenue came from what sources.  It is popular wisdom that a healthy bike 
nonprofit gets 1/3 of revenue from its members, 1/3 from events, and 1/3 from 
grants/contracts.  It is good to keep a balance so that, if any one source 
dries up, the other two can be fallen back on.  BFW is unique in just how 
strong it has been with contracts throughout its history...they have always 
been a national leader in that respect...and in fact, in recent years we were 
working to increase the percent of membership and event revenue to 
balance...hence the hiring of a membership coordinator in Jan 2006 and the 
addition of the Ride and Saris events over the last few years.

For those who don't know how to read a 990 (sorry, the link I posted was 
restricted for a few minutes...now it is open to the public: 
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/dsward2/web/BFW%20990s/), here is the summary.  :

2003
R: $285,104
E: $236,532
Net: $48,572

2004
R: $298,996
E: $257, 452
Net:$41,544

2005:
R: $339,034
E: $336,287
Net:$2,747

As I said, getting copies of the pre-2003 990s requires that you pay a 
fee...but I believe that revenue in 2002 was around $270,000 and in 2001 (when 
Jeanne Hoffman was ED) was around $220,000-$250,000...with a small net profit 
for both years.  2006 was a down year, though...really down...and I still await 
the 990 and annual report just like everyone else to verify how bad.  It is my 
belief that, even with the net loss in 2006, over the whole of my tenure...if 
you add up all Revenue and Expenses...that BFW made a small profit over the 
entire period.  

Until 2006, I think it is dishonest to imply that BFW had any significant 
financial trouble and was doing anything but growing at a healthy clip.  It was 
doing as well as, or better than, most groups in other states (with some 
notable exceptions like Texas and Oregon).
-Dar


       
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