Guidelines for Proposals to Pedals for Progress (6/99)
Program Description.
Pedals for Progress (PfP) collects used bicycles and bicycle parts in
North
America, and donates them to qualified non-profit agencies in Latin
America,
the Caribbean, coastal Africa, and the South Pacific. Partner agencies
recondition
PfP-donated bicycles and make them available to disadvantaged
populations
for productive use.
Typical PfP partners operate programs in vocational education, youth
enterprise
development, micro-credit, environmental education, rural health care
delivery,
and agricultural extension, where bicycles can play a cost-effective
role
in providing essential services and generating employment.
PfP responds to detailed, written proposals. Typically, PfP will make
an
initial grant of a container of used bicycles, spare parts, and tools.
Depending
on the size of the container, the shipment could contain 400-550
bicycles
and have a commercial value of $25,000 or more. Subsequent shipments
may
be contingent on partner payment of associated shipping and PfP
administrative
costs, and a detailed report.
Partner Selection Criteria. In a proposal, PfP asks that organizations
seeking
PfP assistance:
1. document a track record of social service and development work,
based
on sound business and development principles, and provide the
e-mail/phone/fax
of independent and knowledgeable references;
2. demonstrate financial transparency and accountability to members,
the
community, and funders;
3. present a clear work plan, including a description of:
a. classes of beneficiaries;
b. steps taken to arrange duty-free entry, transport to site, and
repair
(budget, status, etc.);
c. planned methods and policies for distributing bicycles; and
d. planned use of surplus funds generated.
4. evidence commitment to achieving financial sustainability of the
program;
and
5. articulate a vision of the potential role and impact of the bicycle
in
meeting the transport needs of low-income members of the community, and
provide evidence of commitment to engaging the broader community, and
the
local public sector, in dialogue on transport policy in benefit of the
poor.
Action. Interested organizations should direct a letter of inquiry,
followed-up
by a full proposal meeting the above-listed criteria, in English or
Spanish,
to:
Pedals for Progress Tel. 908-638-4811
Box 312 Fax 908-638-4860
High Bridge, New Jersey 08829-0312 E-mail: pdls4@comcast.net
In event of approval, PfP will sign a contract with partner agencies
clarifying
the obligations of each party. While PfP operates on the basis of
trust,
it asks that partners inform it of significant changes in the original
work
plan prior to implementing these changes. Further, subsequent shipments
are contingent on providing written information on program operation
and
impact, which is essential to assist PfP in improving its operations
and
informing its funders and supporters of how their resources are being
used.
For further information, consult the Pedals for Progress web site at:
www.p4p.org