Community Cycling Center lives! Org hits key fundraising goal

Window of CCC’s shop on NE Alberta Street, Friday September 20th. (Photos: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

18 days ago the nonprofit Community Cycling Center (CCC) said a financial crisis would force them to close their doors after 30 years of service unless they raised $115,000 by October 1st.

Today the organization announced they’ve blown past that number with six days to spare.

According to the “Save the Community Cycling Center” campaign website, supporters have pitched in $123,389 as of 9:48 am this morning. In the past two weeks, CCC staff have worked overtime. Three staffers and their board chair have come to Bike Happy Hour to hear feedback and answer questions, supporters have offered free services and prizes in exchange for donations, they hosted an open house at their shop on NE Alberta Street, and they held a big used bike and parts sale.

“The work on the Save the CCC campaign is not done yet, but the most critical phase is behind us because of the generous investment of our supporters,” wrote CCC Development Director Brittany Morris in an email to BikePortland this morning.

CCC Executive Director Ruben Alvarado (left) and Development Director Brittany Morris (right) at Bike Happy Hour last week.

CCC Executive Director Ruben Alvarado shared the news on Instagram today, saying, “We weren’t sure if this organization was going to make it past October,” and that the community has sent them the message that, “that the Community Cycling Center is worth salvaging.”

Alvarado said they knew the $115,000 goal was “wild” and he expressed gratitude and joy and having reached it. For an organization that has made its name by giving bikes a second chance, Alvarado said he and his staff know now how that feels.

Morris, who also runs the “Save the CCC” campaign, told BikePortland that beyond donations coming into the organization, she and other staffers have been busy making changes. “Leadership has been focused on increasing the cost-effectiveness of operating a business like CCC. This has included both major financial changes, such as downsizing Director roles, and smaller changes, such as reducing our Zoom subscription. At this point, every cent spent must be carefully analyzed, while also identifying ways to increase revenue,” Morris shared.

Now that shutting the nonprofit’s doors after 30 years in business doesn’t have to happen, Alvarado said the CCC is still, “in a vulnerable state.” Moving forward, the ultimate $395,000 goal by January 2025 might need to be adjusted, but that decision hasn’t been made yet. Regardless, Morris says, “Let’s not allow this incredible success overshadow the fact that more funding is still needed in the coming months.”

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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Steve M
Steve M
13 days ago

Now that shutting the nonprofit’s doors after 30 years in business doesn’t have to happen, Alvarado said the CCC is still, “in a vulnerable state.” Moving forward, the ultimate $395,000 goal by January 2025 might need to be adjusted

See y’all again in a few months.

But good call about that Zoom subscription

Lois Leveen
Lois Leveen
11 days ago
Reply to  Steve M

Ruben and his staff are trying to stabilize the operations of a nonprofit that serves marginalized communities, allowing them the same access to confident bicycling that as a middle-class person I enjoy every day of my life. CCC has major grants coming in the months/years ahead, but the way that works is that they only get reimbursed as they get the programs done … so they need community support to allow them to operate in the meawhile.

As much as I enjoy snark, I humbly suggest Steve M’s can be directed at a more worthy target.

Ted Buehler
Ted Buehler
13 days ago

I went to the CCC DIY workshop today.

With help from staff I did some deep work on two old Bridgestones.

It’s a great shop! I highly recommend bringing any of your problem bikes there, signing up for a monthly or annual DIY workshop membership, and getting your hands dirty.

Very good shop, supportive staff, and good stock of new and used parts.

Ted Buehler

Shred4us
Shred4us
12 days ago
Reply to  Ted Buehler

We all do respect & i love CCC but Bike Farm has been doing the DIY shop with just 5 dollars for a couple hours w/ help of the volunteers… I would check out their workshop but for that price i’ll buy a bike stand & a bike tool box for the cost of their annual subscription

They should go back to how they are old model was because this version aint it.

Ted Buehler
Ted Buehler
11 days ago
Reply to  Shred4us

Shred —

I love Bike Farm. But they are open just 10 hours a week. Longest day is 4 hours. If you have a big project you need to get in when they open, might need to stay until they close. Just three time slots a week.

CCC’s DIY shop is open 31 hours a week. Over 5 days. Come in any time mid-day Wed -Sun and you can do your overhauls.

I also have a bike stand and a tool box at home. But not the tools for major work. And my $600 annual membership supports the community bicycle programs the CCC offers.

Just sayin…

https://communitycyclingcenter.org/community/bike-drives/

https://communitycyclingcenter.org/community/in-schools/stem/

https://communitycyclingcenter.org/community/hacienda/

https://communitycyclingcenter.org/community/new-columbia/

Ted Buehler

Hunnybee
Hunnybee
10 days ago
Reply to  Ted Buehler

$600 annual subscription?! What? To be able to work on a bike? My bike that has been my main bike for a decade cost $450. For $600 you can get a brand new bike every year and never have to work on it.