Riders Club of America has just successfully completed its second year of operation in the Cedar Rapids IA area.
By coordinating volunteer drivers with ambulatory people who no longer drive (55+ or medical condition) we have created a replicable charity structure which can work in any community in the US.
Drivers are reimbursed for mileage and riders pay a nominal cost (often 70% less than a taxi). Our pricing allows us to be self sustaining and pay for a staff of 2.
Because the software coordinates timing and logistics, we have delivered 99.9% of our 13k+ rides with a 98% on time record.
Find out more at ridersclub.co (not .com) or call 319.365.1511
Comments (8)
Got 2 lines of machine language from the website - needs some work
Our server team just replaced hardware and the images were being reloaded. The website is now available.
That's great! New York state does something similar, which I've seen funded through the United Way called RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program). It operates in much of the same ways that Riders Club does. Unfortunately, ours only provides transportation to medical appointments at this time. Congrats!
Because we are mostly self funding as well, we can lower our base age to 55 and include those with a medical condition who no longer drive. The software manages most of the logistical work, so we are currently scheduling and managing over 200 rides a week with a staff of 2.
What other funding do you use beyond annual fee's? I find that most use New Freedom Grants. Becoming self sustaining when using volunteer programs can be a bit of a challenge, especially as the program and ridership continues to grow.
The Beverly Foundation has decades of experience in volunteer driver programs. check out their website at www.beverlyfoundation.org
Beverly Foundation has good ideas, but why post anonymously?
AS a non-profit, we do some grant writing to establish our base, but our primary source of funding comes from rider fees. In addition to the Annual fee (to get into the system), we charge riders a rate per mile with a minimum rate. The rate can vary based on community and whether the ride leave the "normal" service area.