Host an OCD Walk

The goal of all One Million Steps for OCD Walks is three-fold:

1. Provide a community for those impacted to join together, share experiences, and support one another,
2. Raise awareness for and reduce the stigma associated with OCD and related disorders, and,
3. Fundraise to support the programs of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and its Affiliates.

OCD Walks can vary in size and have different programs of events, but they all have the same goals outlined above. Your measures of success are having a well-planned and executed event, providing a meaningful experience for those who attend, and meeting the goals you set.

In order to host a successful event, the Walk Host will need to:

• Form a Walk Planning Committee of dedicated volunteers who will help you orchestrate the event from start to finish
• Pick a date and choose a venue, along with any required permit approval
• Market the event locally to spread the word
• Plan a program of events (check-in, welcome remarks, 1-3 mile walk along ADA-compliant routes, closing ceremonies)
• Organize onsite logistics, including check-in and T-shirt distribution, and onsite registration and donation collection
• Proper financial reconciliation and accounting

The IOCDF serves as a resource by helping to eliminate guesswork and provide best practices for organizing and executing your Walk to make planning as seamless as possible to maximize success in raising funds and awareness.

• The IOCDF is the fiscal agent of the Walk, meaning all donation income comes through the IOCDF (EIN 22-2894564), which is responsible for issuing all tax receipts to donors.
• The IOCDF is also responsible for building and maintaining the Walk registration pages and national marketing efforts to drive traffic to these event pages for potential attendees to sign up.
• The IOCDF is responsible for the design of the Walk promotional materials, signs, banners, and commemorative T-shirts. The IOCDF will assist in co-hosting OCD Walks, including but not limited to producing this Walk Planning Manual; holding bi-weekly virtual meetings, and providing email/phone support for consultation, sharing of ideas, and technical assistance.

The Walk Host and their planning committee are responsible for the planning, executing, and hosting of the in-person OCD Walk in their local area, including but not limited to:

• Securing a permit for the Walk venue and all necessary insurance,
• Renting any necessary materials (tents, tables, generators, AV equipment, portable restrooms, etc.),
• Soliciting volunteers to help run registration/T-shirt distribution,
• Planning a program of events, including an opening ceremony (with an optional invited speaker/grand marshal),
• Local marketing and fundraising efforts, and
• Following the branding guidelines set forth by the IOCDF to maintain the OCD Walk program’s brand identity.

Hosting an OCD Walk in your local community should come at little to no cost to the Walk Planning Committee. The program has been designed so that major expenses are covered up front by the IOCDF, and expenses incurred by the planning committee are reimbursed at a rate relative to the funds raised.

We are no longer accepting applications to host walks in 2025.

The application to host an OCD Walk in your area will be available in early 2026. Sign up below to ensure you are alerted as soon as the application is open!

After applying, there is a required onboarding call with IOCDF staff to review the minimum requirements for hosting an event. At this time, you will receive the 2026 OCD Walk Planning Manual as well as the 2026 OCD Walk Hosting Agreement to review as well. If and when both the applying host and IOCDF agree to move forward, each will sign the 2026 OCD Walk Hosting Agreement, and planning will begin!