Our Why
Growing up, my mom was (and still is) a teacher and my dad was a liquor salesman and basketball coach (and still is). I have always admired how much my mom loves her job and how she has always gone the extra mile for her students. I've always wanted to be just like my dad. He has a way about him that just makes people feel important, safe, and like they belong. Through being a basketball coach for roughly 20 years, I've watched my dad go the extra mile for his players time and time again. This included sometimes getting kids a pair of basketball shoes when they couldn't afford it or buying kids a couple new pairs of clothes when they could not afford that either. When I got to high school, I really started to notice firsthand how much of a need there actually was, particularly through my sports teams. I was blessed enough to have graduated from Wildwood High School as a 2,000 point scorer and the valedictorian of my class. I was so grateful for my time there and wanted to do something to give back. In April of 2019, a couple months before I graduated from high school, I started the Step Back Foundation so I could give back to a community that has given so much to me.
What is the Step Back Foundation?
The Step Back Foundation is a non-profit organization based out of Cape May County, New Jersey. We provide athletic equipment and other necessities to local student-athletes and families in need of financial assistance.
We have realized, however, sports aren't the only thing! We promote community involvement in any capacity. The idea is that a kid should not miss out on an on opportunity to be a part of something special just because they do not have the financial means to do so. We give back to kids on any sports team, club, or organization. We also donate necessities; such as clothing, shoes, gift cards to grocery shopping, etc. to families in need throughout the area.
Although we were founded on the premises of athletics, we focus heavily on promoting mental wellbeing and the importance of kindness in our daily lives.
We raise money through various different fundraising efforts. We have five main events each year including an Easter egg hunt, a golf outing, a 3v3 basketball tournament, a 5k run/1-mile walk, and a fall auction. We also sell gear in order to raise money, which is available through this site!
This is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 charity. Our EIN/Tax-ID number is 83-4646007.
How to Donate
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
Click the link below to find out more on volunteer opportunities.
Step Back Donations
Through various fundraising efforts and events, we raise money that goes towards kids in need of athletic equipment and other necessities.
If you can not attend one of our events, you may donate by writing a check and mailing it our new office location. Checks are payable to the "Step Back Foundation" at 200 New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, NJ 08260.
We also have an option to donate by Venmo. Our username is @thestepbackfoundation_ .
You may also donate through Donorbox by clicking the box below.
Office/Store Location
Our office is located at 200 New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, NJ 08260. Our store hours are limited, so stay tuned to our social media posts to see when you can come shop!
However, you may donate by purchasing gear through our online shop (this link).
Donation Request Form Submission
Due to a high volume of donation requests, we are now only accepting donation requests via the form below.
Our goal is to help the most amount of people as possible and this will only help us organize and sort through our request.
As always, thank you so much for your support! We are so grateful for this community.
Shop our online store! Popular Collections:
Mental Health Awareness Month T-Shirt Design Contest With MMS
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month (May), the Step Back Foundation held a t-shirt design contest Margaret Mace Elementary School's 3rd to 8th grade.
This year, there were 5 winners in the contest. In addition to the designs, we also interviewed each kid who submitted a design and asked them what mental health means to them and why they drew the design that they did. We were so excited with how the designs/shirts turned out. But more importantly, we were so excited with how interested and invested the kids were who participated in the contest and the answers they gave during the interviews.
Click the link below to watch! You can also watch more clips on on our social media pages (@thestepbackfoundation on Instagram & Facebook)!
Mental health matters! Today & everyday!
Recent Events
2025 Step Back Foundation Easter Egg Hunt
The Step Back Foundation hosted our annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 19th at Allen Park in North Wildwood. We could not have asked for a better day! The weather was beautiful and the support we received was unreal.
Thank you so much!
2025 Step Back Foundation Golf Outing
The Step Back Foundation hosted our first ever golf outing at Avalon Golf Club on Friday, May 9th. The money raised is going towards our local scholarships and providing spring clothing to kids in the area before the summer season starts.
Huge thank you to our sponsors, players, and volunteers for this year's event! The golf outing was a success & we look forward to hosting another one next year!
2026 Golf Outing Date: Friday, May 8th at Avalon Golf Club
Upcoming Events & Projects
This summer, the Step Back Foundation will be hosting two of our annual events: our Island 3v3 Basketball Tournament and our "Live Like Bolle" 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk.
- Island 3v3 Basketball Tournament: Saturday & Sunday, July 12th & 13th
- "Live Like Bolle" 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk: Saturday, August 9th
Click the links below to register for these events! You must register online to enter the tournament, however, you may walk up the day of and register for our 5k/walk.
6abc News Story
6abc News came down to Wildwood to share our story. Click the link below to read the full story and to watch a video on who we are and what we are about.
2023 #BCMFBeKindAward
We were fortunate enough to receive the #BCMFBeKindAward at the 2023 Barefoot Country Music Fest in Wildwood, NJ this past June.
2025 Scholarship Recipients
- Emma Drumm: $1,000 (Cape May Tech)
- Alec Dooley: $500 (Cape May Tech)
- Marco Juarez: $500 (Wildwood High School)
- Kelan Miller: $500 (Wildwood High School)
- Brian Cunniff: $1,000 (Wildwood High School
- Maeve Farrell: $500 (Wildwood Catholic Academy)
- Riley Powell: $500 (Wildwood Catholic Academy)
- Carter Givner: $500 (Wildwood Catholic Academy 8th Grade)
2026 "Live Like Bolle" Scholarship
Changes will be made to our 2026 "Live Like Bolle" scholarships. Seniors from Wildwood High School and Wildwood Catholic Academy are eligible for this scholarship.
Multiple students will be selected and amounts of each scholarship may vary.
Due: May 2026
