IEA’s Annual Impact Fund is the cornerstone of giving and allows us to provide the best experience possible for gifted youth.
Make your impact by 12/31 and help us close the $250,000 funding gap and reach our annual goal!
Saturday, October 4, 2025
9:00–11:30 a.m.
Tournament Park, Caltech Campus, Pasadena, CA
Trek for Talented Youth
Support Gifted and Talented Learners in Pasadena and Nationwide
Why It Matters
IEA’s Trek for Talented Youth is a national fundraiser and local celebration that brings together families, alumni, educators and supporters to help gifted, talented and high-ability youth thrive. Every dollar raised supports IEA programs—and 50% is allocated directly to financial aid, helping more students access transformational learning experiences.
Too many gifted and talented students are unidentified and have no access to the services they need. An estimated 3.6 million gifted and talented youth in the United States from all socioeconomic backgrounds are being overlooked in schools, left to struggle silently in classrooms not designed for the way they think, feel, and learn.1 Without access to programs that nurture their potential, these students risk disengagement, anxiety, and underachievement—not due to lack of ability, but because their needs remain unseen.
By participating in the Trek for Talented Youth, you’re not just raising funds—you’re helping change lives. Whether you walk with us in Pasadena or join from your hometown, become a sponsor or donate, you are advancing our shared mission: to help bright young minds reach their potential.
How you can Support Trek for Talented Youth
Become a sponsor
Show your support and get recognized on the event T-shirt and more! Registrations included.
Register and walk with us
Celebrate with us in Pasadena or walk on your own or with a group across the country. Every registration includes a free event t-shirt.
Create a Fundraising Page
Ask your networks to donate to IEA and compete for fun prizes!
Together, our steps move students forward.
Fundraising Goal
Our community-wide goal is to raise $50,000 to support IEA’s programs. 50% of all funds raised are allocated directly to financial aid.
Event Details
LOCAL EVENT
Join us in-person to walk and raise awareness and funds for IEA and talented youth in our home city of Pasadena!
WHERE
In-person in Pasadena, CA at Tournament Park on Caltech Campus
WHEN
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 9:00a.m.–11:30 a.m.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- 9:00–9:30 am: Check-in / Registration
- 9:30–9:45 am: Opening Remarks
- 9:45–11:00 am: The Walk Begins!
- 11:00–11:30 am: Ceremony & Prizes
Free parking
Tournament Park-Caltech Loop = .5 mile
Small playground for younger children
Wear your Trek for Talented Youth T-Shirt
Breakfast bars, water and juice provided
NATIONAL EVENT
Join us on this special day to walk and raise awareness and funds for IEA and talented youth from wherever you are!
WHERE
In YOUR location anywhere across the U.S. and the globe
WHEN
Saturday, October 4, 2025 any time in your time zone
WHAT TO EXPECT
- If you registered, wear your Trek For Talented Youth T-shirt.
- Select the location and length of time for your walk.
- Take a photograph of you and any additional participants in your location.
- Share your photos to compete to win some fun prizes!
Prizes
Join Trek for Talented Youth, help IEA fundraise and compete for some exciting prizes!
Local Treasures
Pick up a special trinket from our treasure trove after each lap of Tournament Park
(local only, choice of Local Treasures or The Lucky One(s) per lap)
The Lucky One(s)
Get a raffle ticket for each lap of Tournament Park for a chance to win special prizes
(local only, choice of Local Treasures or The Lucky One(s) per lap)
Cheerleader
Show off your IEA spirit by sharing a photo from your walk from anywhere while wearing your event T-shirt for a chance to win a cool prize!
(national only, more details soon)
Squad goals
Satellite event with the most participants. Take a photo and share with it the # of participants at your satellite event for a chance to win a cool prize!
(national only, more details soon)
Local winners will be announced at the end of the local Trek for Talented Youth event. National winners will be announced via email and social media in the week following Trek for Talented Youth.
Help Fundraise For iEA
Trek for Talented Youth relies entirely on the help of the IEA community.
Create a personalized fundraising page and help raise funds for IEA! Ask friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and your extended community for donations to Trek for Talented Youth and share your fundraising page. Be creative and have fun!
Visit Givebutter donation page and click the “Create a Page” button to get started.
Contact
For questions, volunteer info or sponsorship opportunities, contact: Jane Laudeman at jlaudeman@educationaladvancement.org.
1 Purdue University The Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute (GER2I), Access Denied, 2019
Sponsors & Advertisers
High Top Heroes
$5,000
Lee-Lichtenstein Family
The Priest Family
Robert and Mona Reppa
Quoc and Huyen Truong
Runners League
$2,500
Kenneth and Michelle Hirschman
Trainers Team
$1,000
The Deneen Family
The Gao Family
Elizabeth Jones
Dennis Monroe
Monroe Coleite Family
Weinswig Family
Sneaker Society
$500
The Amato Nicksay Family
The Guillemet Family
The Hadi Family
Ronald Hart III Family
Rev. and Mrs. Charles Rowins
Steel Family
The Wong Family
The Yu Family
The Zhuo Family
Skater Squad
$250
The Barron Family
Bikel Family
Fanny and Nabil Bisharat
Melinda and Dennis Bradley
Fisher-Adams Family
The Fitzmorris Family
The Hornick/Pincott Family
The Laudeman Family
Camille Levy
Yan Liu and Rong Yan
The Maxu Family
Talin & MacGregor Middleton
Laurie Mittermiller and Nick Sparks
Sharif and Jennifer Muhammad
The Nelson Family
Samantha Outcalt
Payne-Grodner Family
Oana and Cristian Penciu
Quinlan-Martin Family
Charles Shannon
The Yang Family
In Honor of IEA Academy
Supporters & In-Kind Donors
Event T-Shirt Mockup
Institute for Educational Advancement | 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization | EIN: 95-4695698 | Terms and Conditions
