SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, the Small Steps, Big Wins Campus Challenge returns to college campuses around the world, empowering undergraduates to take small steps to create big social and environmental change. A program of Net Impact, the leading nonprofit empowering a new generation to work for a sustainable future, the challenge is made possible by its title sponsors, Alcoa Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation, and others.
Small Steps, Big Wins engages young leaders who care about sustainability to take action. Throughout each semester, thousands of participating students take small steps – environmentally- and socially-responsible actions like riding a bike to campus, powering down electronics, donating blood, and more – to earn recognition and prizes.
“We are excited to work with Net Impact again this year. The Small Steps challenge is a great way to get students thinking about how even the smallest lifestyle changes can make a big environmental difference,” says Tricia Napor, Principal Manager for Environmental Programs, Alcoa Foundation. “Alcoa Foundation sponsored the program from inception because we want to encourage environmental education that leads to real world, measurable impacts. It supports our mission to inspire all generations to reduce, recycle, and replenish.”
During its inaugural semester, students from 74 campuses completed more than 45,000 individual actions, collectively contributing more than 3,000 volunteer hours to local nonprofits, preventing more than 64,000 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, and broadly educating themselves and their peers about critical global issues. This year Small Steps aims to grow to 100 campuses around the world.
Based on learnings gleaned from early pilots, Small Steps has reinvented itself on a new platform, myActions, designed to make participation far easier and more fun. MyActions, known as the social network for the planet, offers a “gamified” experience specially customized to Net Impact’s student audience, including enhanced social networking tools, peer and system feedback, and a mobile app that allows students to capture actions and photos in real time.
“We’re excited to take Small Steps to the next level this year, empowering more students to be catalysts for positive change,” says Liz Maw, CEO of Net Impact.
Students can sign up for the Small Steps, Big Wins Campus Challenge throughout the semester at smallsteps.netimpact.org.
Media Contact:
Paul Campbell
Director of Student Programs, Net Impact
(415) 495-4230 x332
pcampbell@netimpact.org
About Net Impact
Net Impact is the leading nonprofit that inspires a new generation to work within and beyond business to tackle the world’s toughest social and environmental problems. We support student and professional leaders to act locally through our vibrant chapter network and connect globally online and through our flagship conference. By doing so, we show the world that it’s possible to make a positive net impact that will transform our lives, our organizations, and the world. Learn more at netimpact.org.
About myActions
“The Social Network for the Planet” makes sharing your sustainable and compassionate actions worthwhile. Harnessing the power of social networks, consumer engagement and mobile innovations, myActions connects and activates the ecosystem of Green Participants: friends, committed businesses, donors and nonprofits in a meaningful way to drive real world impact. Learn more at myactions.org.
Challenge Sponsors
Small Steps, Big Wins is made possible through the support of our Founding and Environment Partner, Alcoa Foundation, and our Community Partner, Newman’s Own Foundation. Small Steps is also supported by AT&T, Avon, Chevrolet, The Coca-Cola Company, the Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies, and Join My Village.
Relevant Websites
Small Steps, Big Wins Campus Challenge: smallsteps.netimpact.org
Twitter: #SmallStepsBigWins | twitter.com/netimpact | twitter.com/myactions
Facebook: facebook.com/smallstepsbigwins