EVERYBODY RIDES METRO: A Charitable Foundation
February 20

What is the Everybody Rides Metro foundation?

Everybody Rides Metro is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that partners with non-profit organizations to provide bus tokens to low-income individuals to support self-sufficiency.

The foundation received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status in September 2006 and is the first foundation dedicated to providing public transportation to low-income riders in the country. Donations are tax-deductible.

Why was Everybody Rides Metro created?

ERM was created to provide Metro fares for low-income individuals so that they can connect to jobs, education, healthcare and other vital human services and achieve self-sufficiency.

Who benefits from the foundation?

75,000 Cincinnati and 100,000 Hamilton County residents live at or below the poverty line. That's 25% and 12.5% of the respective populations. Many individuals rely on Metro for public transportation to jobs, school, healthcare and other vital services.

How does the foundation work?

Donations to ERM are used to match purchases of bus tokens by partner non-profit organizations serving low-income individuals. These partner organizations provide bus tokens at no cost to eligible low-income individuals. The partners already provide this assistance to low-income riders. ERM will provide more tokens to the partner organizations to serve the greater need that has previously not been met.

Any non-profit 501(c)(3) organization may apply to become a partner with ERM, as long as the agency demonstrates that it provides services to low-income individuals who rely on Metro for transportation. All ERM support is in the form of bus tokens that are distributed to clients who rely on public transportation.

How does a person receive subsidized bus fare?

Individuals may call United Way's HelpLine at 211 to be referred to a partner organization. Bus tokens are available only through partner organizations that provide services to low-income individuals. Eligibility for subsidized tokens is determined by the partner organizations. ERM requires assistance only be given to riders who have incomes below 150% of the poverty line.

How are partner organizations selected?

Non-profit organizations complete project applications for the grants. Partner organizations are selected by ERM based on service provided to users of public transportation.

How is the foundation funded?

The foundation may be funded through corporations, other foundations, private individuals, and government grants directed to-low income individuals.

Which non-profit organizations are foundation partners?

The selection of partner organizations began in December 2006 and pilot program began in May 2007 with the following agencies:

• Accountability & Credibility Together (ACT)
• AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati (AVOC)
• Center for Independent Living Options
• Cincinnati Works
• The First Step Home, Inc.
• FreestoreFoodbank, Inc.
• Healthy Moms and Babes
• Hamilton County Jobs & Family Services – Workforce Development Division
• Our Daily Bread
• Project Connect Homeless Children's Fund
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Cincinnati
• Talbert House, Spring Grove
• Urban League of Greater Cincinnati
• YWCA of Greater Cincinnati

The pilot program will end in April 2008. A long-term program will be introduced to replace it.

How great is the need?

From Healthy Moms and Babes:
"The Everybody Rides Metro Foundation is an essential service
to providing subsidized bus fares and monthly passes for our
clients who cannot afford basic transportation. I strongly support
and encourage the approval of this funding and will work in
collaboration with the Everybody Rides Metro Foundation to address
the needs of the women in underserved neighborhoods.”"

From the Society of St. Vincent de Paul:

"One of the main barriers that our clients face is lack of transportation.
We have resources available to our clients such as rental, utility,
Clothing, and furniture assistance, etc., but what do you do when you
are not able physically to get to places for the help that you need.
Many of our clients are dependent on public transportation to get to
jobs, doctors, stores and for assistance they need."

How much has been donated so far?

In its first full year, ERM raised about $50,000. ERM has received almost $1 million in federal funding and foundation grants for 2008 and 2009 to connect low-income workers to jobs.

What percentage of every dollar goes to subsidize fares?

During the start-up year, approximately 85% of each contribution supported subsidized fares. After the first year, the foundation's goal is for 90% of all funds raised to be spent to serve low-income bus riders.

For additional information or to support the foundation, contact:

Ted Bergh
Executive Director, Everybody Rides Metro
tbergh@go-metro.com
513-632-7561

More information
News Release
ERM Backgrounder
JARC Partner Organizations
JARC Funding Partners