Frequently Asked Questions | Steps for Lahaina

Question 1

What is Steps for Lahaina?

Accepted Answer

Steps for Lahaina is a grassroots walking fundraiser that turns everyday steps into direct financial support for Lahaina educators who lost classrooms, equipment, and materials in the August 2023 wildfire. Walkers log miles, collect per-mile pledges from sponsors, and 100% of net proceeds go to teachers and school staff in Lahaina.

Question 2

Who can participate?

Accepted Answer

Anyone, anywhere in the world. You don't need to live in Hawaii or have a personal connection to Lahaina. Walkers have joined from across the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond. If you can walk — or roll, hike, or run — you can participate.

Question 3

Is there a registration fee?

Accepted Answer

No. Creating a walker profile and participating is completely free. We believe the barrier to doing good should be as low as possible.

Question 4

How do I sign up?

Accepted Answer

Click 'Start Walking' in the navigation, create your free account, and complete a short onboarding form to set your fundraising goal and personalize your walker profile. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Question 5

How do I log my miles?

Accepted Answer

You can log miles three ways: manually enter miles or steps on your dashboard, connect a Garmin or Fitbit device for automatic syncing, or import a bulk activity file from Apple Health or Android Health Connect.

Question 6

How are steps converted to miles?

Accepted Answer

We use a standard conversion of 2,500 steps per mile. This is a widely accepted average that works fairly across different stride lengths and walking styles.

Question 7

Is there a minimum or maximum number of miles?

Accepted Answer

There's no minimum — every step counts. When logging manually, a single entry is capped at 40 miles (or 100,000 steps) to prevent accidental data errors, but you can log multiple entries per day.

Question 8

Can I walk as part of a team?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can create or join a team on the Teams page. Team miles and fundraising totals are combined on a shared team profile page, which is great for schools, workplaces, running clubs, or friend groups.

Question 9

What's the difference between a per-mile pledge and a one-time donation?

Accepted Answer

A per-mile pledge means you commit a set dollar amount for every mile a specific walker logs — for example, $1 per mile. A one-time donation is a fixed amount given directly to the cause, not tied to any walker's mileage. Both go to the same place: Lahaina educators.

Question 10

Can I sponsor a specific walker?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Visit the Find a Walker page, search for the person you want to support, and click 'Sponsor This Walker' on their profile. You can choose a per-mile pledge or a one-time gift.

Question 11

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Steps for Lahaina is fiscally sponsored by Players Philanthropy Fund (PPF), a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under U.S. federal law (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. You will receive an official receipt from PPF for your records. For more about PPF's fiscal sponsorship, visit ppf.org/faqs.

Question 12

What payment methods are accepted?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) through our secure Stripe-powered checkout. No account is required to donate.

Question 13

How much of my donation actually reaches educators?

Accepted Answer

90% of net proceeds go directly to Lahaina educators through our grant and assistance programs. The remaining 10% covers operating expenses like payment processing, platform hosting, and administration. We publish a full financial breakdown every quarter.

Question 14

How are grant recipients selected?

Accepted Answer

Lahaina teachers, coaches, and school staff can apply through our grant application form. Applications are reviewed by a volunteer committee. Priority is given to educators who lost the most classroom materials and have the fewest alternative resources available.

Question 15

Can I see how the funds are allocated?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our Where the Money Goes page shows the full allocation breakdown across all six programs: Rebuilding Grants (40%), Housing Assistance (20%), Monthly Supplements (15%), Long-Term Reserve (10%), Administration (10%), and Future Programs (5%). Quarterly financial reports are also published.

Question 16

Who is eligible to apply for a grant?

Accepted Answer

Current and former teachers, coaches, counselors, and school staff who were employed at a Lahaina-area school at the time of the August 2023 wildfire and experienced loss of classroom materials, equipment, or housing.

Question 17

How do I apply?

Accepted Answer

Visit our Grants page and click 'Apply Now' to access the five-section application form. The form covers your personal information, school and role details, a description of your losses, how you plan to use the funds, and supporting documentation.

Question 18

How long does the review process take?

Accepted Answer

We aim to review all applications within 30 days of each grant cycle closing. Applicants are notified by email regardless of the outcome.

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