Partners and Programs
Honoring Richard's Legacy and Growing the Cycling Community
At Richard Tom Foundation, we honor Richard’s community spirit and love of cycling by creating inclusive opportunities for riding and racing for everyone. Our diverse events and programs ensure that cyclists of all ages and abilities can share in the joy of biking.
Signature Events
- Annual Richard’s Ride: The Annual Richard’s Ride offers cycling opportunities for all skill levels, bringing the community together for a day of fun and fitness on two wheels.
- Annual Kids’ Criterium: Our Kids’ Criterium lets children experience the excitement of cycling on the same circuit as elite racers, fostering confidence and a love for the sport.
- Fall Gravel Ride: In collaboration with the Green Mountain Bicycle Club, we host a free Fall Gravel Ride to celebrate the end of the cycling season. This event strengthens our cycling community and highlights the beauty of local dirt roads.
- Winter Fat Bike Rally: We partner with the Catamount Outdoor Family Center to host the annual Winter Fat Bike Rally. Our support has also helped Catamount secure land purchases and acquire a SnowDog for grooming winter biking trails, ensuring year-round riding enjoyment.
Building Parternships
- Supporting Local Racing: Through our partnership with Jackalope Northeast Cycling, we bolster the local race scene by sponsoring their Junior and Youth Development Program. As the title sponsor of the Green Mountain Stage Race’s Burlington Criterium—the premier stage race in the Eastern US—we support competitive cycling at the highest level.
- Green Mountain Cyclocross: We proudly sponsor Green Mountain Cyclocross, fostering a vibrant and inclusive cyclocross community. By increasing participation among junior athletes, women, and gender-diverse riders, they aim to build the next generation of cyclocross enthusiasts.
Community-Focused Initiatives
- Bikes For Friends Program: Our Bikes For Friends Program partners with local bike shops to provide free bicycles to those in need. Most bikes go to children, but we also support parents to encourage family riding and individuals who need affordable transportation to work. Every bike comes with a free helmet to promote safety.
- Supporting Mountain Biking: As a Corporate Sponsor of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, we advocate for mountain biking across the state. Our contributions include supporting Richmond Mountain Trails and constructing The Driving Range, an adaptive-friendly MTB trail network.
- Burlington Bike Park Coalition: RTF supports the Burlington Bike Park Coalition’s efforts to build a bike park in Burlington, Vermont. This inclusive space will welcome riders of all backgrounds and skill levels, offering opportunities to improve bike skills and foster community engagement in a safe and supportive environment.
We are especially committed to supporting young riders by giving them the resources needed so they can discover the adventure and joy of riding on trails and roads. We have funded trail fees for participants in Little Bellas programs, and scholarships for the Catamount Outdoor Family Center and Smugglers Notch Resort mountain bike programs. RTF is a partner of Vermont Youth Cycling. We’ve also supported individual young riders with race expenses, travel costs, and equipment. RTF has supported the CVU MTB Club, 5 Towns Riders and UVM Cycling Team.
Promoting Safe Cycling and Youth Engagement
At Richard Tom Foundation, we are committed to encouraging young people to embrace cycling while prioritizing their safety on the roads. Our support for educational and advocacy programs is designed to advance the cause of safe cycling and instill confidence in the next generation of riders.
Supporting Bike Safety Education
Local Motion’s Bike Smart Program
As a proud lead sponsor of Local Motion’s Bike Smart Program, we help bring cycling education directly to elementary schools across Vermont. This program provides bicycles and a comprehensive curriculum to teach children essential safe riding practices. For many children, it’s their first introduction to the joy and freedom of cycling.
Since 2012, Bike Smart has:
Reached over 85,000 children
Delivered more than 400,000 hours of training
Implemented over 450 programs
Served over 200 schools and camps in 130 towns across all 14 Vermont counties
By partnering with Bike Smart, we are ensuring that children across the state learn how to ride safely and confidently.
Empowering Youth Through Apprenticeships
Old Spoke’s Home’s Multicultural Youth Apprenticeship Program
As the primary sponsor of the Old Spoke’s Home’s Multicultural Youth Apprenticeship Program, we help empower youth with hands-on skills and a spirit of community service. This program provides:
Training: Two weeks of intensive training where apprentices learn to fix common bicycle problems and refurbish a bike they get to keep.
Community Impact: Apprentices operate the OSH Mobile Repair Unit, offering free bike repairs in local neighborhoods to ensure that kids’ bikes are safe and functional.
Through these efforts, we’re building a future where cycling is accessible, enjoyable, and safe for all children, while fostering a sense of responsibility and community engagement.
How Do We Allocate Funds?
RTF’s operating expenses are 12% of our revenues.
