The Change Maker Challenge is a virtual movement-based fundraising campaign hosted by the Joanne Forbes Foundation, launching July 1st, 2026 and running throughout the month of July. This challenge invites participants from all walks of life to walk, run, bike, stretch, or move in any way that reflects their personal wellness journey — while raising critical funds to support mental health access, community healing, and peer-driven support programs.
Participants can sign up individually or form teams, each with the goal of logging movement miles and raising awareness for behavioral health equity. Whether you move one mile or 100, your steps become part of something bigger — a collective push to combat loneliness, increase visibility for mental health, and support services that center dignity and connection.
Individual Fitness Goal
- 10,000 Steps a day (minimum)
- Exercising 2-3 times a week (minimum)
- Create a team of 5 members
- Completing at least 2 workouts a day
- Share progress on social media to inspire others and spread awareness about the connection between mental and physical health.
Overall Fitness Goal
To reflect the journey of healing and the power of movement, our community-wide fitness goals unite physical wellness with behavioral wellness. Each step, stride, and spin contributes to something bigger: raising $65,000+ for mental health programming, peer support development, and community outreach through the Joanne Forbes Foundation.
6,500 Miles—One for every $10 raised
- Because every dollar supports a step forward in someone’s healing journey. Whether you walk, run, cycle, work out, or dance — it counts.
250+ Registered Movers- Together we show that healing is not a solo act — it’s a shared path. Every participant represents someone choosing purpose, presence, and progress.
Weekly Mental Wellness Checkpoints- We encourage participants to reflect, pause, or journal each week.
Fitness isn’t just about the body — it’s about emotional strength, clarity, and community connection.
“Our goal is to raise $65,000 in our first year — enough to fund peer-minded trainings, enhanced community resource initiatives, innovative community-based workshops targeting connectivity and loneliness, and community wellness programming that creates real change where it’s needed most.”
If we can surpass our $65,000 fundraising goal now, in 2027 we will:
- Expand peer-led training programs
- Launch a mobile resource initiative
- Launch our regional Resource Guide, "The Current"
- Sponsor free community wellness events in underserved areas
Incentives & Recognition
To celebrate our community of changemakers, we’re offering a range of meaningful incentives:
- Raise $250+ and receive a limited-edition Change Maker Challenge T-shirt
- The top 10 fundraisers will be entered into a giveaway for a custom tech wellness bundle
- Team captains who recruit 5+ participants will receive a personalized digital badge + feature on our website
- All participants who log 30 miles or more will earn an “Every Mile, A Message” digital medal
Every dollar raised through this challenge goes directly toward programs that address isolation, mental health disparities, and recovery inequity.
This isn’t just a fundraiser — it’s a movement toward visibility, community wellness, and a future where no one heals alone.
