Looking at the BMW MOA Foundation’s growth over the last decade or so, I can’t help but think of Napoleon Hill’s motivational quote from his 1937 book Think & Grow Rich, which says, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
More than 25 years ago, Clark Luster, together with a committed group of MOA board members and volunteers, came up with the idea of a nonprofit foundation able to support rider safety, education, training programs, and other motorcycle-focused initiatives.
At that time, Clark was leading Pressley Ridge, a large nonprofit based in Pittsburgh that has helped society for almost 200 years by offering outstanding care to children in need and families in crisis. Pressley Ridge was originally an orphanage funded by Andrew Carnegie in 1830 with his $1,000 gift. By the time Clark became CEO, they had staff in eight states supporting children. With this experience, he had both the knowledge and motivation to promote the idea of an MOA Foundation.
“Miranda Scott, Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife, gave us $10 million, so I felt I had experience raising money,” Clark said. “I’m not necessarily mechanically inclined, I don’t have a jillion dollars, I don’t know much about technology,” Clark continued, “but when I thought about what contribution I could make to the MOA, well, I know something about raising money and creating a foundation, a vehicle for the legacy of the next 50 years of the MOA.”
Clark believes that several significant events over the years have helped advance the Foundation’s mission, including the creation of the Paul B. Scholarship by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of Vermont in 2011, when the group provided the seed money in his memory. Another key moment was in 2017, when former MOA president Chuck Manley became president of the MOA Foundation, increasing its credibility, legitimacy, and influence. Clark also credits the efforts of Ted Moyer, now the MOA’s Executive Director, to promote the Foundation’s programs and fundraising events as instrumental in its growth.
Like a snowball rolling down a mountain, the MOA Foundation continues to grow in importance and capacity to fulfill its mission of promoting, preserving, and protecting the rich heritage of motorcycling. At the core of its purpose, the Foundation aims to inspire all riders to seek training opportunities, wear protective gear, and keep their motorcycles safe.
Regarding rider safety, nearly $1 million in rider-training grants, scholarships, and rebates has supported over 5,700 riders in improving their skills and becoming safer motorcyclists to date.
Regarding the preservation and protection of the rich heritage of motorcycling, the construction of the BMW MOA Historical Archive at MOA headquarters in Greer, South Carolina, started in January 2023. When finished and officially opened later this year, the archive will celebrate over 50 years of BMW MOA history and culture. Visitors will see BMW motorcycles from early singles to modern bikes, rally and rider memorabilia, and much more.
From a dream in the mind of a dedicated volunteer over 25 years ago to the substantial organization it is today, the MOA Foundation rests on the shoulders of thousands of volunteers. Their selfless giving of time, talent, and money has propelled the Foundation forward to better serve motorcyclists.
Throughout the pages of this special issue of BMW Owners News, we aim to share the story of what the MOA Foundation is doing now and its future plans. If you support the MOA Foundation’s mission and want to help make a difference in the lives of motorcyclists through your time and resources, please contact MOA Foundation Chair Tami Bakke at tbakke@bmwmoaf.org.
Together, we can all achieve.
