Give Together, Grow Together
Together: Give, Grow, Transform
Join Jackson State University’s Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education for our signature fall event — the Steps for Strong Starts Family Fun Walk. Every child. Every family. Every community.
#StepsForStrongStarts
Fast Track
Scan to Learn More
Point your phone camera at the code to open the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education page — where the live registration link and Champion sign-up will be posted as soon as the peer-to-peer platform goes live.
- 1 Open the camera app on your phone.
- 2 Point it at the QR code — a link will appear.
- 3 Tap to open the Department page and register.
Event at a Glance
A New Vision for Fundraising
From Participants to Champions
Traditionally, fundraising walks rely primarily on registration fees to generate revenue. While this approach can be successful, it often limits both participation and fundraising potential. Instead, we propose a model that reflects the mission and values of the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education by transforming every participant into a Champion for Children, Families, and Thriving Communities.
This approach shifts the focus from simply asking individuals to register for an event to inviting them to become advocates for the Department’s mission. Every participant becomes an ambassador who helps strengthen educational opportunities for future educators and the children and families they will ultimately serve.
I’m walking because I believe every child deserves a strong start. Will you support my walk with a gift to the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Jackson State University?
Your Toolkit
The Champion for Strong Starts Kit
Every registered participant receives a Champion for Strong Starts Fundraising Kit designed to make peer-to-peer fundraising simple, personal, and effective.
Personal Fundraising Page
A personal fundraising page or QR code so friends, family, and colleagues can support your walk with a single tap.
Sponsorship Form
A sponsorship form for collecting one-time gifts from supporters who prefer to give offline.
Message Templates
Sample email and social media messages you can personalize and share in minutes.
Impact Information
Clear information describing how funds will support students and departmental priorities.
Outreach Tips
Practical tips for inviting friends and family to participate and to give.
Tax-Deductible Gifts
All donations qualify for tax-deductible statements, verified with Institutional Advancement.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
“Take the Next Step” Challenge
Every participant is invited to register and take one more step by asking five friends, family members, or colleagues to sponsor their walk.
If just 100 participants complete the challenge:
Registration revenue $2,500 +
Sponsorship revenue $10,000 =
$12,500 total impact for the Department.
Registration
Registration Categories & Fees
Choose the category that fits you or your team. Early registration rates are available for a limited time.
| Category | Early Registration | Late Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Participant | $25 | $30 |
| Child (12 & Under) | $10 | $15 |
| Team (6–9 Participants) | $150 | $175 |
| Team (10 or More Participants) | $250 | $275 |
| Virtual Participant | $25 | $25 |
Team Champions
Who Can Form a Team?
Teams become fundraising ambassadors and event participants. Each team is encouraged not only to participate but also to establish a fundraising goal and invite supporters to contribute on behalf of the team.
- Undergraduate & Graduate Cohorts
- Faculty and Staff
- Alumni
- Student Organizations
- Fraternities and Sororities
- Childcare Centers
- Head Start Programs
- Elementary Schools
- School Districts
- Churches
- Community Organizations
- Corporate Wellness Teams
Year-Round Campaign
A Two-Season Strategy
The campaign runs in two coordinated phases — a fall walk driving small-dollar community engagement, and a spring banquet reserved for high-dollar sponsors and formal recognition.
Family Fun Walk & Small-Dollar Giving
- Non-competitive one-mile family-friendly walk
- Small-dollar donations strictly for the walk
- Balloons, kid activities, and DJ on the pedestrian walkway
- Saturday, October 24, 8:30 AM start
- Enclosed campus route — entirely off city streets
Formal Banquet & Corporate Giving
- Formal spring banquet with plated Sodexo catering
- Explicit small-dollar general departmental giving
- Teams raising $3,000 receive a banquet table
- High-dollar corporate sponsors reserved for this event
- Culmination of the year’s campaign
Celebrating Community Impact
Recognition Categories
The event concludes with a Celebration of Impact that recognizes both participation and philanthropy — leadership, service, and community engagement in one afternoon.
Largest Team
Highest Fundraising Team
Top Individual Champion
Community Champion
Best Team Spirit
Most Creative Team Theme
Learn More
The Department Behind the Mission
Every dollar raised strengthens the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education — preparing the next generation of teachers who will shape the earliest years of children’s learning.
Every Child. Every Family. Every Community.
Register today, become a Champion for Strong Starts, and take the next step for the children, families, and communities we serve.