The Steps for Stories Walk — Turning Steps Into Opportunity

This year, for his 75th birthday, Founder David Kirkpatrick, along with his dog, will walk 100,000 steps in a single day.

The last time he walked 100, 0000 steps, it was for an eight-year-old boy who needed a diabetic alert dog to live safely.

This year, he’s walking for something just as important: scholarships for emerging writers. To David, "Stories are just as important as fresh water."

Sponsor a Step

You can take part by sponsoring steps along the journey.

Every step you sponsor helps fund scholarships—opening doors for writers who need a financial lift to pursue their craft and their future.

Here’s how it works:

$1 → 1 step
$5 → 5 steps
$25 → 25 steps
$100 → 100 steps

Every step counts. Every contribution matters.

Where the Funds Go

Your support will fund scholarships for emerging writers of all ages through the Write a Great Story Foundation — Story Summit’s nonprofit partner dedicated to expanding access for storytellers.

Funds raised through the 100,000 Step Longevity Walk will help writers attend career-changing gatherings such as the Austin Film Festival, the Okoboji Writers Retreat, the Young Filmmakers Program, and the next Her Spirit Writing Retreat, where they can connect, learn, build confidence, and take meaningful steps forward in their creative lives.

For many writers, access is the difference between dreaming and doing.

Why This Walk Matters

At 75, this walk is no small thing.

But that’s part of the point.

It’s a reminder that we can still choose to do something difficult… in service of someone else.

Join the Walk

Sponsor a step.
Be part of the journey.
Help a writer move forward.

Step by step, we move forward—together.

Some happy pics of recent scholarship recipients:

Thank you all for your contributions!