How It Works
Steps for Lahaina turns everyday walking into real, trackable fundraising for Lahaina's teachers and coaches. Here's everything you need to know.
Create Your Walker Profile
Sign up and build your public participant page in minutes. Share your name, your connection to Lahaina, a personal walking goal, and the story behind why you're walking. Your profile becomes your fundraising home — the link you share with sponsors and supporters.
- Choose a public display name and custom profile URL
- Write your Lahaina connection story (optional but powerful)
- Set a mileage goal and a fundraising target
- Control your privacy: public, link-only, or private
Walk & Log Your Miles
Walk anywhere in the world — your neighborhood, a beach path, a treadmill, a trail. Every step counts. Log steps manually or connect a compatible fitness tracker. We convert steps to official miles at 2,500 steps per mile.
- Log steps manually from your walker dashboard
- Compatible with Apple Health, Garmin, Fitbit, and Android Health Connect
- 2,500 steps = 1 official mile (standard conversion)
- Your public profile updates in real time as you log
Invite Sponsors
Share your profile link with friends, family, coworkers, and your community. Sponsors can pledge a set amount per mile you walk, make a flat monthly commitment, or give a one-time donation. You set the pace — they back every step.
- Per-mile pledges: sponsors pay based on your verified miles
- Flat monthly sponsorships: a steady commitment regardless of miles
- One-time donations: simple, direct support
- Sponsors can set a monthly cap on per-mile pledges
Funds Reach Lahaina
Every processed payment goes directly toward our programs for Lahaina's teachers and coaches. We publish full financial breakdowns so you always know exactly where the money goes. No guesswork. No vague promises.
- Only processed payments count toward public totals
- Funds distributed to teacher & coach relief, housing assistance, and loan programs
- Full transparency reports published quarterly
- Operating costs disclosed publicly — nothing hidden
The Official Mile Conversion
Steps for Lahaina uses a standard conversion of 2,500 steps per official mile. This is based on an average stride length and is consistent with most fitness tracking platforms. Whether you log steps manually or sync from a device, the same conversion applies to everyone — keeping the playing field level and the math simple.
Fitness tracker integrations may use their own step counts, which are imported as-is and converted at the same 2,500:1 ratio.
Compatible fitness trackers
Three Ways to Sponsor
Per-Mile Pledge
Pledge a dollar amount for every official mile your walker logs. Set an optional monthly cap so you always know your maximum commitment. Billed monthly based on verified miles.
Example: $0.50/mile with a $20/month cap
Flat Monthly Sponsorship
Commit a fixed amount each month regardless of miles walked. Great for supporters who want steady, predictable giving without tracking mileage.
Example: $25/month for the duration of the campaign
One-Time Donation
Make a single contribution to a walker, a team, or the general fund. Simple, immediate, and deeply appreciated. No recurring commitment required.
Example: $50 one-time gift to a specific walker
Common Questions
Do I have to walk in Lahaina?
No — you can walk anywhere in the world. Your neighborhood, a park, a treadmill, a trail. The movement is global. The impact lands in Lahaina.
How are steps verified?
Steps are self-reported or synced from a connected fitness device. We operate on an honor system. Sponsors understand this and pledge accordingly. Fraudulent activity can be reported and reviewed by our admin team.
When do sponsors get charged?
Per-mile sponsors are billed monthly based on the miles you logged that month. Flat monthly sponsors are billed on their signup date each month. One-time donors are charged immediately at the time of their gift.
What if a sponsor doesn't pay?
Unpaid pledges are shown separately from confirmed funds on your profile. Only processed payments count toward public totals. Sponsors receive reminders for failed payments.
Can I walk as a team?
Yes. Families, schools, businesses, athletic teams, and walking clubs can all create team pages. Team miles and funds are pooled and displayed together, while individual profiles remain separate.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. Steps for Lahaina is fiscally sponsored by Players Philanthropy Fund (PPF), a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law, and you will receive an official receipt from PPF. Learn more at ppf.org.
Ready to Start Walking?
Create your free walker profile in under two minutes. Every step you take is a step toward Lahaina's future.