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FRIENDS OF TRANSIT

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 861017492 · Form 990 · FY2020 · NTEE B99 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.friendsoftransit.org
revenue
$104K
expenses
$124K
net assets
$121K
employees
0
volunteers
27
program ratio
84%
mission · from form 990

EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF A WELL-DESIGNED AND ACCESSIBLE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.

profile · synthesized from sources

Friends of Transit is an advocacy organization supporting public transit and active transportation in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The group promotes transit accessibility, cyclist integration with public transit, and community engagement around transit expansion projects. It provides resources for riders, supports local businesses during transit construction, and facilitates public input on regional transit planning.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $35K
    PROMOTE MASS TRANSIT BY HOSTING CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND LUNCHEONS.
named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Bicycle and Transit Integration Resources
Provides guidance and resources for cyclists using Valley Metro buses and light rail, including bike rack usage and secure parking locations
Business Assistance Program Support
Supports local businesses along future transit corridors during construction in partnership with Valley Metro and local governments
Public Engagement for Transit Expansion
Facilitates community input on light rail extensions including CAPEX and I-10 West Extension through event coordination and outreach
activities · 4 clusters

what they do

  • Tactical Urbanism and Public Space Activation 2 activities
    • Support for Local Businesses during Transit Construction
      Supports local businesses located along future transit corridors during the construction phase of transit projects.
    • Support for local businesses during transit construction
      Provides support to local businesses along future transit corridors during the construction phase of transit expansion projects.
  • STEM Competitions and Project-Based Learning 1 activity
    • Mentorship and STEM training for high school students
      Provided mentorship, engineering, and design training to 17 high school students who completed and presented group projects.
  • Heritage Streetcar and Transit Vehicle Restoration 1 activity
    • Operation of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail line
      Operates the 5.5-mile South Central Extension/Downtown Hub (SCE/DH) light rail line, which has recorded over 1.6 million rides and averaged more than 6,400 daily boardings since June 2025.
  • Uncategorized 7 activities
    • Community Engagement and Input Gathering for Transit Projects
      Organizes and hosts multiple in-person and virtual community meetings to gather public input and share project updates on transit expansion, specifically for projects like the Capitol Light Rail Extension (CAPEX) and its connection to the I-10 West Extension (10WEST).
    • Community outreach and needs assessment for transit planning
      Conducted outreach and inventory of current conditions to understand community transportation needs, particularly in relation to proposed transit expansions in the Capitol Mall and west Phoenix areas.
    • Community outreach and needs assessment for transit planning
      Conducted outreach and inventory of current conditions to understand community transportation needs, particularly in support of transit expansion projects in west Phoenix and the Capitol Mall area.
    • Mentorship and Training for High School Students
      Provides mentorship, engineering, and design training to high school students, culminating in group projects.
    • Operation of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub (SCE/DH) light rail line
      Operates the 5.5-mile South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail line, which has recorded over 1.6 million rides and averaged more than 6,400 boardings per day since June 2025.
    • Outreach and Inventory of Community Transportation Needs
      Conducts outreach and inventory of current conditions to understand community transportation needs.
    • Public engagement on transit expansion projects
      Organized and hosted multiple in-person and virtual community meetings to gather public input and share updates on transit expansion projects, including the Capitol Light Rail Extension (CAPEX) and I-10 West Extension (10WEST), with specific outreach in west Phoenix neighborhoods.
financials · form 990 · fy2020

the money

revenue
Total revenue$104K
Contributions & grants$68K66%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$35K
expenses
Total expenses$124K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$121K
Cash$121K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$121K
Liquid reserves11.7 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

board members · 24
  • ADAM ROGERS — BOARD MEMBER
  • AMY JENKS — BOARD MEMBER
  • ANDREW HAINES — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHRISTINA BIRD — TREASURER
  • CJ EISENBARTH HAGER — BOARD MEMBER
  • DERON LOZANO — BOARD MEMBER
  • JESUS SAPIEN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JODI SORRELL — BOARD MEMBER
  • JODY SIMS — BOARD MEMBER
  • KARIM DADA — BOARD MEMBER
  • KARL WITBECK — BOARD MEMBER
  • KATRINA HEINEKING — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARC SORONSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARIA HYATT — CHAIR
  • MARK PETERSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • MELINDA ALONZO — VICE CHAIR
  • MELISSA BOYLES — BOARD MEMBER
  • MIKE SMITH — BOARD MEMBER
  • NICK WIATROWSKI — BOARD MEMBER
  • OGBONNA ABARIKWU — BOARD MEMBER
  • SCOTT SMITH — BOARD MEMBER
  • SHELLY SEYLER — BOARD MEMBER
  • STEPHANIE SMALL — BOARD MEMBER
  • TIFFANY COPP — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 40

who they work with

  • ADOT Bike and Pedestrian Program Partner — Provides resources for cycling in Arizona, including laws, policies, and maps.
  • American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Partner — Awarded the 2026 Engineering Excellence National Grand Award to the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail expansion.
  • American Public Transportation Association Partner — Identified Valley Metro as one of the top transit agencies in the nation for ridership growth.
  • Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Partner — Refers users to ADOT's Bike and Pedestrian Program for resources on walking and biking in Arizona, including laws, policies, and maps.
  • Arizona Forward Partner — Awarded the 2026 Environmental Excellence Award and Governor's Award for Arizona's Future to the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail expansion.
  • Bike Saviours Bicycle Collective Partner — Lists as a bicycle advocacy group.
  • City of Glendale Partner — Highlights Glendale bike maps and family bike ride information.
  • City of Mesa Partner — Highlights Mesa's safety resources, bike registration, and bike survey and master plan.
  • City of Phoenix Partner — Highlights Phoenix's GRiD Bikeshare program and bicycle master plan.
  • City of Phoenix Partner — Partnered to invite the public to meetings for input on transit expansion projects (CAPEX and 10WEST).
  • City of Phoenix Partner — Refers users to pedestrian safety tips and hiking safety tips from the City of Phoenix website and Phoenix Fire Department.
  • City of Phoenix Partner — Seeking community feedback on transit options for west Phoenix for the Capitol Extension (CAPEX) and I-10 West (10WEST) light rail projects.
  • City of Tempe Partner — Collaborating on the development of Transportation Plan 2050 for Tempe.
  • City of Tempe Partner — Highlights Tempe's bike plan, bike registration, and area maps.
  • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Funder — The FTA awarded an $18.6 million grant to Valley Metro through its Low or No Emission Grant Program.
  • Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Partner — Refers users to the MAG Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee for resources.
  • Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee Partner — Provides resources including county projects, regional bikeways maps, and meeting schedules.
  • Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Partner — Provides resources for Maricopa County cycling, including a list of local and national cycling organizations.
  • Mesa Police Partner — Partner through a bike squad to provide security presence for Valley Metro.
  • Neighborhood Ministries Partner — Hosted a hybrid community meeting for public feedback on transit expansion.
  • Peralta Elementary School Partner — Hosted a hybrid community meeting for public feedback on transit expansion.
  • Phoenix City Council Government — Expected to take action on the future of CAPEX and its connection to 10WEST.
  • Phoenix City Council Partner — Hosted community meetings for transit feedback and is expected to take action on the Capitol Extension and I-10 West projects.
  • Phoenix Spokes People Partner — Lists as a bicycle advocacy group.
  • Phoenix Transit Police Partner — Partner in providing security presence for Valley Metro.
  • Rusty Spoke Community Bicycle Collective Partner — Lists as a bicycle advocacy group.
  • Tempe Bicycle Action Group Partner — Lists as a bicycle advocacy group.
  • Tempe Police Partner — Partner through an extra-duty program to provide security presence for Valley Metro.
  • The Coalition for Arizona Bicyclists Partner — Lists as a bicycle advocacy group.
  • Valley Metro Partner — Collaborates to provide public transit resources and information to riders.
+ 10 more