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Registration & Fundraiser Setup FAQs

Thank you for your interest in raising awareness and funds to improve the lives of all those impacted by OCD and related disorders! Every walker who registers, every supporter who donates, and every fundraising page that is shared helps to raise awareness, dispel stigma, and inspire hope for the entire OCD and related disorder community, while simultaneously helping raise funds for the important programs of the IOCDF and its local affiliates. Below, you’ll find information on how to register for a 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk and set up your fundraising page, as well as some FAQs for your reference.

In 2018, the flagship Boston Walk will return to Jamaica Plain for its 6th year. In addition, many of the IOCDF Affiliates will be hosting 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walks in their local communities. These events will be listed under the “1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk” heading at https://www.crowdrise.com/iocdf. Simply search, select a Walk in your area, and click the Register button to get started.

Don’t see a 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk close to you? Not a problem! The CrowdRise registration system allows you to register as a participant in a Community Walk. To participate, click the “Community Walk Sign Up” clock and then the “Register” button.

Look familiar? That’s because the Community Walk has taken the place of previous year’s Virtual Walks. So many “virtual walkers” registered, raised funds, and gathered together among family and friends to walk in their community that we realized there was nothing “virtual” about these grassroots efforts. With that, the new name of “Community Walk” was born!

CROWDRISE REGISTRATION PROCESS

No matter which event you register for — the flagship Boston Walk, an Affiliate-hosted Walk, or the Community Walk — the online registration process is the same.

1. Visit https://www.crowdrise.com/iocdf and find the event in which you wish to participate. The Boston Walk will be listed first, followed by Affiliate Walks organized by City and State. The Community Walk event can be accessed by clicking the “Community Walk Sign Up!” block.
2. Click the “Register” button. You will automatically be selected to register as an Individual Walker, so simply click the orange “Next Step” button.
3. Every registrant will set up a Fundraising profile by either:
1. Joining an Existing Team (“I’m fundraising with an existing team”): If you select this option, find and select your team from the drop down and click “Next Step”
2. Creating a New Team (“I want others to help me fundraise”): If you select this option, you will be prompted to fill in your team name. Walk Pro Tip: Make sure to name your team something creative and eye-catching!
3. Fundraise as an Individual (“I’m fundraising on my own”): If you select this option, you’ll move onto the Create an Account step.
4. Next,you’ll be prompted to create an account either by 1) using a social network to log in (Facebook, Twitter, or Google+) or 2) Logging in to an existing CrowdRise account or signing up and creating a new CrowdRise account. Registration Pro Tip: If you’ve registered for the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk in the past 3 years, you most likely already have an account that houses all your previous Walk fundraisers — make sure to use that account and not create a duplicate account!
5. Once you log in or create an account, you will be promoted to fill in your participant info. Please note, if you’re participating in the Community Walk, your walk shirt will be shipped to this mailing address.
6. Select your T-shirt size. All registered walkers who raise $25 or more on their fundraising page will receive a commemorative 2018 Walk T-shirt. Participants under the age of 13 are not required to register, but are welcome to do so if they would like a personal fundraising page. If you’re attending the Walk with a child under 13 who would like a T-shirt as well, select their size and you will be able to either pick it up at check-in or it will be shipped to you with your own T-shirt.
7. Agree to the Terms & Conditions, click Complete Registration, and you’re all set!

You will receive a confirmation email with a link to your fundraising page, which you can customize with text, photos, and images and use to keep your donors updated on your progress. Check out the Fundraising Toolkit tab for tips on customizing your page to reach your fundraising goal and help increase awareness and dispel stigma surrounding OCD and related disorders!

Onsite Registration: We encourage all participants to pre-register for the Walk via the CrowdRise platform. However, if you plan to attend the Boston Walk or an Affiliate-hosted Walk, you will have the option of registering onsite and turning in donations to receive a T-shirt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk?
The 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk is the largest event focused solely on raising awareness and funds for OCD and related disorders. Each June, members of the OCD community from across the country – and around the world – join together and walk to raise awareness, hope, and funds to support the important programs of the International OCD Foundation and our partnering Local Affiliates. These programs aim to drive change through advocacy, education, research, and resources that improve the lives of those living with OCD and related disorders.

Where is the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk taking place?
The 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk program takes place across the country — and even the globe! The flagship Boston Walk will take place on Sunday, June 3rd at Jamaica Pond. Many IOCDF affiliates will also be hosting 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk events in their local area; for a full list of events, click the IOCDF logo at the top right of this page or go to www.crowdrise.com/iocdf. If you cannot find a Walk in your area, you are encouraged to start a Walk Team within the Community Walk event (previous known as the “Virtual Walk”)

How can my organization participate in or sponsor the Walk?
We’re counting on all organizations within the OCD and related disorders community to be leaders in the campaign to raise awareness and dispel stigma surrounding OCD and mental illness in general. Organizations can participate in many ways, including forming a team or sponsoring the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk. If your organization is interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Eli Peterson, IOCDF Grant Writer & Philanthropy Officer, at epeterson@iocdf.org, or call the office at (617) 973-5801.

Do I have to register for the Walk?
We ask everyone over the age of 13 to register for the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk. We want to know when and where you’re walking with us,and need every walker to sign a standard waiver through their official registration. Participants under the age of 13 will have the opportunity to enter their name and T-shirt size through their parent/guardian’s registration.

Is there a registration fee?
Registration for all 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walks is FREE! Everyone who registers through the online Crowdrise system received a fundraising page, which they can customize and use to collect donations for the IOCDF (and its Local Affiliates if attending an Affiliate-hosted Walk). All registered walkers who raise a minimum of $25 will receive a commemorative Walk T-shirt. (See next question for more details.)

Does every registered walker get a T-shirt?
Every registered Walker will receive a commemorative 2018 Walk T-shirt if they raise a minimum of $25 on their personal fundraising page. These funds can be solicited from family and friends, or can be donated by the registered walker themselves. If you are attending the flagship Boston Walk or an Affiliate-hosted Walk event, you have until the day before the event to raise the $25. If you’re participating in the Community Walk program (previously known as the “Virtual Walk”), you must raise $25 by end of day Monday, May 7th, 2018. Community Walk participants who raise $25 by Monday, May 7th will receive their Walk T-shirts in time for the first weekend in June.

How do I register for a Walk?
First, visit www.crowdrise.com/iocdf to find a Walk in your area or register for the Community Walk. Once you find an event to attend, click the “Register” button. Scroll up to the Registration Process section for a step-by-step guide to Walk Registration!

How do I register family members and friends?
If you’re planning on registering to walk with family members and friends, make sure to select “Form a Team” when registering yourself. Once you complete your own registration, you can share your Walk Team’s URL with family and friends, and when they click “Register” on your team, they will join your team as opposed to starting their own.

Each walker should register themselves so they can accept the terms of the liability waiver and provide a valid email address so they can receive details about the event. To register others for whom you have authority to sign the liability waiver, simply log out of your Crowdrise account and begin a new registration. Beyond collecting the liability waivers, individual registrations and fundraising pages allow us to track who reaches the $25 donation minimum to receive a Walk T-shirt.

I’ve registered for the Walk — now what?
Now that you’re registered, you can start customizing your fundraising page and start reaching out to family and friends for their support! Click here for a step-by-step guide on customizing your fundraising page. And make sure to check out the Fundraising Toolkit tab for even more tips on customizing your page with your story and how to get started soliciting donations from family and friends!

How/where do I turn in cash and check donations?
If you collect cash and/or check donations towards your fundraising efforts, you can turn them in via one of the options below.
Please note: All checks (regardless of Walk event) should be made out to the International OCD Foundation or IOCDF.

• Mail: Download this paper offline donation form and mail it into the IOCDF national office. Please make sure to indicate if there is a specific Walk Team or Walk Event you wish the funds to go towards. Mail to:

International OCD Foundation
Attn: 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk
PO Box 961029
Boston, MA 02196

• On Walk Day: If you’re attending the Boston Walk or an Affiliate-hosted Walk, you can bring your cash and check donations to the Walk and turn them in there.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for your cash and check donations to appear on your fundraising web page and/or post to your account.

Where do funds raised by the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk go?
The IOCDF is the fiscal agent of the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk. All donations support annual programs and activities that build awareness, provide critical online resources, train mental health professionals, and educate the public about OCD and related disorders. The IOCDF distributes 50% of all funds raised by Affiliate-hosted Walk events to the organizing Local Affiliate to help promote local programming.

Are donations tax deductible?
Yes. All donations to the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk are fully tax deductible (IOCDF EIN: 22-2894564). All donations made online will receive an email confirmation, which you can use as your tax receipt.

Can I accept donations in foreign currency?
Yes. Our Crowdrise fundraising system is set up so anyone can donate from anywhere in the world, so long as the donor has a valid credit card or debit card. All donations are made in either U.S. or Canadian dollars, so donations may incur an exchange rate fee from the bank who issues the donor’s credit card. International donors should contact their bank to determine exactly what the fee may be.

Can donations be made after the Walk has taken place?
Yes. Although registration for the Walks will close at noon the night before the event, the online fundraising system will remain open through the month of June and we will continue to accept cash and check donations through the month. After this time, we will reconcile the Walks in order to distribute Walk funds to our participating Local Affiliates. If you wish to make a donation to the IOCDF after June 2018, visit www.iocdf.org/donate for more information on ways to give.

Contact Information
International OCD Foundation
Attn: Walk Team
PO Box 961029
Boston, MA 02196

(617) 973-5801

walk@iocdf.org