Growing up, my mom was a teacher (recent retiree) and my dad was a liquor salesman and basketball coach (and still is). I always admired how much my mom loved her job and how she always went 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.

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.

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.

Our 2026 Step Back Foundation Golf Outing was held at Avalon Golf Club on Friday, May 8th. Thank you so much to all of our sponsors and foursomes for making this possible!

Save the date! Our 2026 Island 3v3 Basketball Tournament will be held on July 11th & 12th at Allen Park in North Wildwood. All teams must register using the Eventbrite link which can be found on our website & in our bio. Send us an email with any questions at thestepbackfoundation@gmail.com

Introducing Step Back Student of the Month! This program includes all of the island's elementary schools. Each month, we will be selecting a student from each school that embodies the given character trait of the month. Each recipient will receive a shirt/crewneck (depending on the month) with our new special Step Back Student of the Month logo on it. We are so excited to start this program!

Our first winner ever, from Glenwood Elementary Annex School, was Yamile Cortez Cabrera.

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.

The Step Back Foundation’s “Live Like Bolle” Scholarship honors the memory of Mr. Bill Bolle, who passed away in October 2017. Mr. Bolle was a passionate supporter of high school athletics and believed in the positive impact sports have on young people. Through athletics, students develop a strong work ethic, stay active, create lasting memories, and build meaningful relationships that can last a lifetime.

Above all, however, Mr. Bolle cherished his family and valued those relationships more than anything else. The “Live Like Bolle” Scholarship seeks to recognize students who embody these same values of dedication, character, community, and family.

Scholarship funding is raised through the annual “Live Like Bolle” 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk, held each August on the beach.

Wildwood High School:

• Kiana D’Antonuo: $500
• Estella Robinson: $500

Wildwood Catholic Academy:

• Peyton Rosenello: $500
• Christopher Papageorgiou: $1,000

Wildwood Catholic Academy 8th Grade:

• William Farreny: $500