Forward Steps: Climb Kilimanjaro, Elevate Scholars Campaign

At Transcend Ideas, we had the privilege of collaborating with Forward Steps, a nonprofit organization based in Boulder, CO, that supports youth who have experienced foster care as they work toward completing their postsecondary education. Our partnership centered around a unique fundraising campaign: Climb Kilimanjaro, Elevate Scholars.

This inspiring initiative was spearheaded by Forward Steps’ Executive Director, Jennifer Falkoski, who trained and climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, to raise funds and awareness for the Guardian Scholars Program. This program provides the resources and community support that foster youth need to overcome barriers in higher education.

To amplify the campaign’s impact, Transcend Ideas crafted a multi-faceted strategy to tell the story of Jennifer’s journey and the critical mission behind it. Our work included:

(Video) ‘Training Diaries’: We edited Reels on Instagram of behind-the-scenes footage of Jennifer’s training, showcasing her dedication.
Educational Content: Data and insights about the challenges youth in foster care face in pursuing education.
Scholar Stories: Highlighting the experiences of current and former Guardian Scholars.
Custom Brochure: Print designed to engage potential donors and sponsors.
Email Newsletters: Bringing supporters along for the climb with real-time updates and storytelling.
Custom Landing Page: A dedicated webpage to provide donors and sponsors with a clear understanding of the campaign and how to support it.
Timely Blog Updates: Regularly updated blog posts that mirrored and reinforced the narrative of the campaign.
Gala Integration: Creating a cohesive narrative for the Annual Gala, which featured a mountain theme and celebrated the scholars’ achievements.

The campaign culminated in raising over $77,000 for Forward Steps, ensuring the Guardian Scholars Program can continue to elevate youth to new heights—just as Jennifer reached the summit of Kilimanjaro.