Tern Bicycles’ Give Back Program: $70K for Social Impact

Tern Bicycles: Powering Positive Change Through the Give Back Program

Tern Bicycles, renowned for its innovative urban mobility solutions, leads by example in corporate responsibility. Each year, the company allocates at least 1% of its profits to organizations and projects that drive meaningful social and environmental change. In 2023, Tern’s Give Back Program distributed a record $70,000 in grants, amplifying positive impact both within the cycling world and beyond.

Why Giving Back Matters at Tern Bicycles

Tern Bicycles sees manufacturing as a means to a greater end: building a better, more equitable, and sustainable future. Their philosophy, Go Where You’re Needed, reflects a broader vision—supporting people, communities, and the environment, not only through their bikes but also through direct funding to critical causes.

• Annual Commitment: At least 1% of yearly net profits are allocated to the Give Back Program, supporting social and environmental causes globally.
• Strategic Giving: Each year, the company assesses where its resources can maximize impact. Focus areas include health, sustainability, equity, inclusion, mobility, and community engagement.
• Global Reach: Grant recipients vary from local advocacy groups to major international NGOs, ensuring that funds help both neighborhood initiatives and those affecting global change.

2023 Give Back Program Highlights

2023 was a banner year for Tern’s Give Back Program. The company expanded its reach, responding not only to cycling and environmental causes but also recognizing urgent humanitarian needs worldwide.
Key statistics from the 2023 program include:

• Total Grants Distributed: $70,000
• Minimum Donation Policy: 1% of the previous year’s profits guaranteed for social and environmental initiatives
• Priorities: Projects advancing equity, diversity, health, sustainable mobility, LGBTQ+ solidarity, and humanitarian relief

Team Captain Josh Hon explained, “While our focus has traditionally been on grants to organizations addressing inequality and environmentally-conscious practices, we’ve recognized growing humanitarian needs. This has expanded the program’s scope to include partners like Doctors Without Borders, while continuing to prioritize recipients that match our core company values.”

Meet the 2023 Grant Recipients

Tern’s grants in 2023 reached six influential organizations working across diverse domains. All recipients were selected because of their outstanding alignment with Tern’s ethical framework and their proven records of social impact.

• World Bicycle Relief – Delivering mobility and breaking cycles of poverty in developing nations through bicycles.
• Doctors Without Borders – Providing critical medical relief and emergency aid globally.
• BYCS – Inspiring city cycling and building sustainable urban futures via advocacy and empowerment.
• Black Girls Do Bike – Promoting inclusivity, representation, and community among Black women cyclists.
• San Francisco Bicycle Coalition – Making city streets safer, more livable, and accessible through cycling programs and advocacy.
• Asia Rainbow Ride – Fostering LGBTQ+ solidarity and visibility through organized cycling events in Asia.

Deep Dive: Key Partners and Their Impact

World Bicycle Relief: Mobility as a Tool for Social Change

World Bicycle Relief (WBR) empowers rural communities, primarily in Africa, by providing robust bicycles to students, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs. The aim is to bridge distances and open doors to education, health services, and economic opportunities.

• Women and Girls First: Tern’s 2023 grant focused on WBR’s initiatives delivering bicycles to women and girls, addressing deep-rooted gender inequality that limits their access to resources and schooling.
• Program Highlight: “This Is Not a Bike” campaign helped break the cycle of poverty for rural women and girls by increasing mobility and independence.
• Holistic Model: WBR’s “Mobilized Communities” approach delivers not just bikes but lasting support structures, transforming entire communities.

Doctors Without Borders: Responding to Humanitarian Crises

In 2023, Tern broadened its scope to include Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), a global organization renowned for delivering emergency medical aid.

• Beyond Cycling: By funding humanitarian relief, Tern recognizes the interconnectedness of health, mobility, and resilience, lending support where it’s needed most—often in crisis areas.
• Emergency Impact: Contributions help the organization respond quickly to natural disasters, pandemics, and conflict situations globally.

BYCS: Rethinking Urban Mobility for a Better Tomorrow

BYCS is an international social enterprise that champions urban cycling advocacy. Their work centers on encouraging cities globally to make cycling a practical and accessible mode of transportation for everyone.

• Bicycle Mayors: BYCS trains and supports a growing network of “Bicycle Mayors”–local leaders dedicated to making their cities more cycling friendly and sustainable.
• Future-Focused: Their projects often intersect with urban sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, key pillars in Tern’s vision.

Black Girls Do Bike: Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation

Tern supports the movement begun by Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB), which nurtures a supportive community for Black women cyclists.

• Empowerment Through Cycling: BGDB champions health, camaraderie, and representation, helping more women of color find belonging in cycling culture.
• Events and Advocacy: The organization hosts group rides, training, and events to ensure inclusivity and representation in bicycling spaces nationwide.

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition: Equity on City Streets

For fifty years, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has been a driving force for safer, more equitable streets and a broader bike culture.

• Bike It Forward: Tern’s grant boosts the “Bike It Forward” program, which refurbishes used bicycles and distributes them for free to low-income residents—complete with helmets, locks, and safety lights.
• Community Engagement: The grant funds local outreach, education, and grassroots advocacy, expanding access and safety for marginalized communities in San Francisco.
• Leadership Testimonial: Interim Executive Director Christopher White lauded Tern’s support for reinforcing the program’s mission of fair biking access for all.

Asia Rainbow Ride: Cycling for LGBTQ+ Solidarity

The Asia Rainbow Ride is a three-day cycling event along Taiwan’s coastline, organized to foster LGBTQ+ visibility and support.

• Raising Awareness: The ride highlights LGBTQ+ issues in Asia and advances community engagement and solidarity.
• Physical and Social Impact: Beyond the athletic challenge, the event strengthens community bonds and affirms diversity rights both inside and outside the LGBTQ+ population.
• Sustained Support: Tern’s grant helps sustain the ride and related fundraising efforts throughout 2024.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Humanitarian Values

Tern’s approach to giving is grounded in a deep respect for diversity, inclusion, and global solidarity. This is reflected in the selection of partners across cultural, gender, and geographic lines.

• Social Impact: Each partner organization strengthens communities by addressing discrimination, economic disparity, and health inequality.
• Environmental Sustainability: Many grants are aimed at scaling mobility solutions that reduce urban pollution and combat climate change.
• Health and Resilience: By supporting health organizations and bicycle access projects, Tern enhances physical well-being and disaster resilience.

Building a Better Future: The Bigger Picture

Through the Give Back Program, Tern advances a vision where bikes are instruments of social change and catalysts for a brighter, more sustainable world.

• Long-Term Strategy: Tern builds annual partnerships with organizations positioned for scalable, lasting change.
• Education and Outreach: Many grants support cycling education, expanding sustainable transportation options, and fostering next-generation leaders.
• Organizational Accountability: The Give Back Program is transparent, with annual updates and community impact reports ensuring continued stakeholder engagement.

Grant Impact Table: 2023 Give Back Recipients

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does Tern choose its Give Back Program partners?

Tern prioritizes organizations that align with its values of social impact, environmental sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and health. Groups must demonstrate measurable impact and resonate with company philosophy.

What portion of Tern’s profits goes toward the Give Back Program?

Every year, Tern commits to donating at least 1% of its net annual profits to the program. In 2023, this meant a total disbursement of $70,000.

Are Tern’s Give Back funds used exclusively for cycling-related projects?

While many recipients work in cycling advocacy and mobility, Tern has expanded its scope to support humanitarian and health organizations, like Doctors Without Borders, acknowledging a broader social responsibility.

How do grant recipients report their impact?

Organizations supported provide updates and outcomes to Tern, which in turn communicates results to stakeholders through annual program reports and online news updates.

Can local organizations apply for Tern Give Back funding?

Yes. While some partners are multi-national, Tern also invests in local, grassroots organizations, particularly those advancing equity, sustainable transportation, and community development.

Tern Bicycles’ Give Back Program stands as a testament to the positive change a company can instigate beyond its products—fostering sustainable mobility, empowering marginalized communities, and supporting global humanitarian needs with transparent, tangible impact.