Who We Are
Through a family of 28 unified chapters, the Association carries out its mission, which is to ensure the sustainable future of mountain biking in Vermont and to thoughtfully promote the best riding in the Northeast by serving as the central hub for advocacy, education and event support. VMBA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Vision: To inspire a Vermont filled with individuals reinvigorated by the beauty and challenges found in natural places in a manner that promotes community, ecological awareness and transcends the distractions of our time.
Cause: To connect Vermonters to the value of thoughtfully planning for the future of outdoor recreation and to strengthen the relationships that can realize our collective potential.
How:
- Relationships
- Advocacy
- Promoting an awareness of diversity, inclusion and equity
- Chapters & their BOD operations
- Members
- Board of Directors
- Executive director & office staff
- Partnerships & sponsorship
- Programming (Naming Grant, Regional Alliance, Retailers Alliance, etc.)
- Resource allocation, risk assessment, critical project paths, etc.
- Fuel an environment of innovation
The culmination of this activity is sustainable trail stewardship through interconnected achievement.
What:
- Trails
- Experiences
- Events
- Relationships
- Community outcomes
- Stronger Vermont economy
Why: VMBA exists to create and develop vibrant communities that are emboldened by outdoor recreation and a connection to natural environments in support of outcomes that benefit the world.
- Healthy family recreation – lowering healthcare costs/risks
- Illustrate the need for and outcomes of volunteerism
- Build grit, focus, self-reliance and character in kids
- Strengthen the bond between individuals
VMBA Values
VMBA
The Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) is a nonprofit statewide organization serving as the voice of mountain biking in Vermont. Riders coming together to rough in a trail, keep it secret and have a great time with friends laid the foundation for what is the best riding state in the country. Preserving this root characteristic is important, but requires a different approach in light of the sport's growing popularity and growing awareness of its economic potential. VMBA/Chapters choose to acknowledge this reality and remain proactive and dedicated to constantly evolving. The ease of modern information exchange has necessitated that our riding culture be protected through a strong and united voice of advocacy.
This is the role of your VMBA.
Out of state riders travel to Vermont to mountain bike six or more times a year, which often expose the most precious and sensitive trail systems in Vermont. Successfully protecting Vermont's core trails requires attractive, diverse alternatives. VMBA's relationships with chapters/public land officials is key in protecting our trails and promoting trail diversity for all rider levels.
VMBA is dedicated to connecting riders to each other and supporting the work of chapters on both public and private land. VMBA will remain focused on preserving the historical bedrock of riding in Vermont while simultaneously embracing the realities and opportunities of the day.
VMBA kept things rolling in 2019
2019 VMBA Highlights
- We had 6,800+ members in 2019 (148% increase since 2015)
- 1,670 Add-On memberships (over 2,000% increase since 2015)
- Sent 91% of membership dollars back to chapters in services and grants
- Increased to 28 Chapters
- Awarded $30,000 in the VMBA Trail Grant that funded 18 different trail projects for 2020
- Eight outdoor-minded businesses participated in the 2019 VMBA Naming Grants program and awarded a total of $42,500 to different Chapter’s trail projects for 2020
- Launched our Diversity Initiative that included raising awareness through social media and providing resources to Chapters through a toolkit
- Created the Chapter Resource Library that is accessible to all Chapters
- Hired a Programs Coordinator
- Facilitated $198,700 of membership payout revenue to Chapters
- All told, between base memberships, add-ons, naming Grants, and the VMBA Trail Grants – the VMBA office was a central part of directing $354,000 to Chapters in trail support
- The office invested over 400 hours in meetings/negotiations focused on state land oversight and protecting private landowners
- The work of the office and chapters were featured in multiple publications and podcasts
- In coordination with the Vermont Trails Alliance, embraced professional legislative services to work on the specifics of Act 250 on behalf of chapters and private landowners