This May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to join Strides for Hope – Mental Health, a challenge focused on nurturing your mental well-being and supporting others in need.
Through our partner, Charity Footprints, participants from around the world will unite to raise awareness for mental health, trauma-informed care, and healing for vulnerable children and families in Africa. This challenge isn’t just about physical activity—it's about taking intentional steps toward nurturing your mind, spirit, and body.
From May 1–31, the Strides for Hope – Mental Health Challenge invites you to prioritize your mental well-being. Taking care of your mind is essential, and we believe small, daily acts of self-care can make a powerful impact. Throughout the month, you’ll track mental wellness wins—such as unplugging from screens, getting restful sleep, staying hydrated, nourishing your body with healthy foods, or spending time outdoors. These mindful actions contribute to a more balanced and peaceful state of mind.
While movement—like walking, running, dancing, or even deep breathing—isn't required, it’s an important part of supporting our mental health. You can choose to earn miles for movement if it feels right for you, but the focus remains on nurturing your mental wellness first and foremost. Every small step you take in self-care will translate into significant impact, such as providing clean water, safe sleeping spaces, mosquito net protection, and healthy school lunches for children in Africa.
MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES
This challenge will not only encourage you to engage in physical fitness activities, but also practice healthy wellness habits! Check out the MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITY CONVERSION CHART below to learn more and use the Log Activity button at the top or in the site menu to earn points for each activity logged.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
You can participate in this challenge by doing pretty much anything that elevates your heart rate. This includes walking, running, cycling or any of your favorite fitness activities! Just make sure to log it! For activities that cannot be measured in steps or miles, please refer to the PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CONVERSION CHART below.
For more information on tracking your distance or setting up tracking devices please refer to the ‘How It Works’ and ‘FAQ's’ sections below.
Campaign Engagement
This campaign offers numerous ways to get involved and earn points! Whether you’re posting in the scrapbook, leaving comments, chatting with others, or sending invitation emails, every action counts. Refer to the CAMPAIGN ENGAGEMENT POINTS CHART below to see how each activity earns points and start participating now to boost your score.
Every single dollar of your registration goes directly to saving lives. At Nurturing Nations, 100% of the funds raised through this campaign will be used to care for vulnerable children and families—not a penny goes to overhead or salaries. This is not about padding a CEO’s paycheck—it’s about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, liberating the captive, and lifting the hands that hang down.
This is a humanitarian effort to save lives! Your contribution will provide clean water for families, save the lives of children with special needs, provide school lunches for children, mosquito net protection, trauma-informed care, emergency medical care, and education for those who need it most. These are children who go to bed hungry, who walk miles for water, who have been forgotten or abused. You are helping rewrite their stories.
One small act of kindness for your own well-being can save the life of someone else. This campaign is proof that when we care for ourselves, we can become a powerful force for change in the world.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Charity Footprints?
Charity Footprints is a social enterprise that connects fitness and charitable giving. We empower people just like you, to get fit & give back.
Our Virtual Races allow non-profits to challenge their patrons to run, walk or ride and raise funds just as they would in a fundraising walkathon. The best part - charities save over 45% in event and logistical costs. So, the dollars that you pay to register or fundraise, go farther.
What is the campaign registration fee?
Campaign registration fee is the amount that you'll need to pay to enroll in this virtual race. This fee (less transaction charges) will go to the non-profit running this campaign as a donation.
The registration fee along with the funds raised through your individual fundraising page will enable the non-profit to fund various programs and pursue their organization's mission.
How can I create my fundraising page?
Well, you wouldn't have to create a separate fundraising page. Once you register for this campaign, we'll give you the link to your fundraising page.
If you workout indoors (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike etc.), you can upload your workouts here.
How do I join a team on this campaign?
While registering for the campaign, select the team you'd like to join or create a new team and invite others to #GetFitGiveBack with you. If you want to join a team (or create your team) after registration, login to the campaign site and you would find a link to edit "My Team" in the menu under your profile in the header.
I am an international donor (non-US), what are my donation charges and tax-deductibility?
All donations are made in US dollars, so the donations may be levied an exchange rate fee via your bank. Donors will want to connect with their bank to determine exactly what that fee may be. Additionally, international donors will need to reach out to a tax professional to discuss if and how tax deductibility will apply to their donation.
Who can sponsor my fundraising efforts?
The short answer is - everyone. The fundraising research shows that the number one reason for people not donating is that they weren't asked to.
That said, there are things you can do to attract people to sponsor you. Adding a picture to your fundraising page, telling potential donors why this cause is so personal to you, sharing your fundraising page on social media, email, and chat groups.
Last, if your employer has a gift matching program, check with the human resources department to support your favorite cause as well.
Who can I contact if I need help?
You can contact us any time if you need help. We love hearing from our users so please don't hesitate to write to us about issues, suggestions, or to just say hi. You can also contact the non-profit administrator directly if you would like.
How do I change or switch my team?
If you want to join a team (or create your team) after registration, login to the campaign site and you would find a link to edit "My Team" in the menu under your profile in the header.
CAMPAIGN CHAT
Please register for the campaign to see the chat activity. If you're already registered, login here.