A first grader is only a first grader once. To grow and learn and thrive our children need access to the best possible education. Not next year, or in ten years, but today. United Way of New York City’s March for Public Schools is a call to ALL New Yorkers to join us and march to help our most-vulnerable neighbors—our students—learn the skills they need to thrive.
March United for Public Schools is a 5k walk to raise awareness and funds for our New York City Public schools through United Way of New York City programs like ReadNYC, EducateNYC, and FeedNYC. Each provides resources that promote the academic growth and success to public school children and their families throughout New York City.
Moving low-income New Yorkers from barely surviving to thriving.
New York is the land of opportunity where many of us came to build our lives. We ride the subway together, we go to the same bagel shops, bodegas, and pizza joints. We walk the streets together and commute to and from work together.
But as we head home at the end of the day, our paths diverge significantly. Some New Yorkers pick up their kids from private school, return to a comfortable, secure home, take their kids to soccer practice or piano lessons, cook a fresh meal from a meal delivery kit or order takeout and read to their children before they tuck them in. Others go on to a second or third job, wait for hours at food pantries to ensure their kids are fed and at the end of the day, return to a shelter or a home with overdue rent and no books, long after their children have gone to sleep.
At United Way of New York City, we know that New Yorkers can do better. We’re the problem solvers, the hand-raisers, and the game changers. We go after our community’s toughest challenges. We came together after 9/11 and Sandy, and we can come together again now to fight for every low-income New Yorker and help our neighbors face their toughest challenges and make ends meet.
We live united to ensure no New Yorker is ever one paycheck away from hunger and homelessness. To create a city in which children and families can dare to dream and build a future for themselves—to progress from barely surviving to thriving.
The Future Festival March United for Public Schools culminates with an exciting experiential block party at Borough Hall in Downtown Brooklyn to celebrate our achievements as marchers, as well as the amazing successes of the 1.1 million public school students across NYC, and the tireless efforts of the teachers, principals, and parents who have given of themselves to see our public school kids thrive.
We call it the Future Festival because our young New Yorkers are the leaders, innovators, creators, and educators of the future and, in the words of Malcolm X, “education is their passport.” The festival will include:
Inspiration Point
A 100 foot-long tent filled with multimedia creations photographers, visual artists and young filmmakers from across New York City.
March United Stage
Live performances by singers, bands, poets and dancers from New York's public schools.
Shop March United Our small business shopping village will showcase "Back to School" and "Summer Fun" products. Attendees will enjoy various games, activities, and explore new opportunities in learning.
Story Time Tent Well known children's book authors share their creations with our younger participants.
A Field of Food Trucks From pizza to salads to mac and cheese, we’ll have food trucks galore to satiate any appetite.
WANT TO SHARE YOUR ARTISTIC GIFT?
Performers from across New York City are invited to perform live on the March stage. Singers, bands, poets, dancers are invited to contact us to discuss an opportunity for you to showcase your talents for a great cause. For more information, please contact: inspire@marchunited.org.
HAVE SOME DELICIOUSNESS YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
After getting up early and walking three miles, our marchers are going to have a big appetite. If you own a food truck and are interested, are open to donating a portion of the proceeds to the cause, and want to join our Field of Food Trucks, contact: info@marchunited.org.
Volunteer
Volunteer opportunities are also available before and during the march. Contact volunteer@marchunited.org for more info.
March As An Individual
Determined to join our march, but want to step at your own pace? Register to march as an individual today! There is no fee to register.
TEAM UP
Are you the type that wants to lead your friends, family, and colleagues on a march for public schools? Start a team! A team consists of 5 or more individuals who will march together. There is no fee to register a team.
Hot Tips for Fundraising Here are some great ways you can start your fundraising campaign and keep it going strong until the day of the March!
1. Personalize your fundraising page. From this platform you can tell your stories, post milestones and network.
2. Form a Team. When you start a team it’s easier to create a buzz around the event, and it’s more fun to raise money and participate with friends and co-workers.
3. Set a goal! You don’t have to reach for the stars, but if you do that’s great. A higher goal can keep you and your team motivated.
4. Start by making a self-donation. Lead the way and inspire your teammates to get the ball rolling!
5. Contact your contacts: friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues and let them know you're part of a movement to improve public education. Let them know why this matters to you, and how they can contribute to your campaign.
6. Take to social: Let your networks know that you’re marching and why. Most importantly, stay connected!
7. Create friendly competition within the work space. See which department can raise the most money for the schools!
8. Stay connected with your team! Share inspiring quotes or stories from our Facebook page. Get them pumped and coordinated!
9. Host events! Get your community engaged with social events, office gatherings and team fundraisers.
10. Matching Gifts: Many companies will match their employees’ donations to a nonprofit. This is a fantastic way to easily double your team’s contributions. Check with your HR team to see if matching is available where you work!
March United for Public Schools will raise funds that are vitally needed to assist the most vulnerable students. This event will inspire action in support of our schools, our teachers, and our students and rally behind the belief in public education. It’s a fundraising walk, activist experience, and celebration of the talents of our public school students.
A first grader is a first grader only once. To grow and learn and thrive our children need access to the best possible education. United Way of New York City is calling on all New Yorkers to come together and March United for Public schools and help our most vulnerable neighbors learn the skills they need to thrive.
