38th Annual UNCF Walk for Education – Detroit
The 38th Annual UNCF Detroit Walk for Education is a broad-based community fundraising event in which you can recruit family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. to participate in this non-competitive Walk to raise much needed unrestricted funds for UNCF as well as provide necessary support for our students and schools and raise awareness about our 37 member institutions and HBCUs. The only competition is for the top fundraising Team Captain Prizes, which goes to the team captains based upon the amount of funds raised first in each category.
Come out and join us on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at *Belle Isle State Park (near the Casino) to help us reach our fundraising goal of $600,000 and help students get to and successfully through college. We will work our bodies with a 5K (3.1 mile) walk around beautiful Belle Isle and refresh our spirit with family, friends, fellowship and good food on a beautiful summer day.
Activities
Children’s Games
DJ
Face Painting & Balloon Animals
Mini Massages & Health Screenings
Team Photos
Team Trophy Presentations
Vehicle Displays
Much more…
Team Captain (only) Incentive Prizes
To qualify for prizes, all funds must be in by Saturday, August 8, 2026. All prizes are first-come, first-served.
Apple Gift Card
Raise $25,000 & above – (First Winner)
Bose Speaker
$10,000 – (First 2 Winners)
Echo Show 3rd Generation
$5,000 – (First 3 Winners)
UNCF Jacket
$2,500 – (First 5 Winners)
UNCF Chair w/Umbrella
$1,000 – (First 10 Winners)
UNCF Backpack
$500 – (First 15 Winners)
UNCF Walk T-Shirt & Embroidered Baseball Cap
$250
Prizes are subject to change.
Traveling Trophies
Trophy consideration deadline is Saturday, August 8, 2026. The trophy categories are:
Top Fundraising Large Corporate Team
Top Fundraising Mid-Size Corporate Team
Top Fundraising Alumni/Greek Organization Team
Top Future Leaders Team (Ages 12-17)
Important Dates:
Team Captain Prize Consideration Deadline: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Trophy Consideration Deadline: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Online Pre-Registration Ends: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Walk Site Closes: Saturday, October 5, 2026
Team Check-in & Registration
Program & Warm-up
Walk Begins
Belle Isle Casino
99 Pleasure Drive
Detroit, MI 48207
Presenting Sponsor – $30,000
- Participate in official Walk ribbon cutting
- Lead the Walk with UNCF executive
- Corporate representative speaks at program
- Recognized in UNCF Walk press releases
- Product placement display opportunity (automotive = 15 cars)
- Logo on walk t-shirts (Friday, July 10, 2026)
- Corporate logo placement on Walk website w/hyperlink to company website
- Pre-event promotional marketing on local UNCF social media platforms
- Post-event recognition on local UNCF social media platforms
- Premier event tent (40×40 seats 192) location
- On-site kick-off with team captains
- Complimentary Walk registrations (25)
- Company name on mile marker signs (4)
- Inclusion in Walk Day announcements
- Inclusion in Walk Day signage
- Recognized in post event ceremony
PhD Sponsor – $15,000
- Recognized in UNCF Walk press releases
- Product placement display opportunity (automotive = 10 cars)
- Logo on walk t-shirts (Friday, July 10, 2026)
- Corporate logo placement on Walk website w/hyperlink to company website
- Pre-event promotional marketing on local UNCF social media platforms
- Post-event recognition on local UNCF social media platforms
- Prime event tent (20×40 seats 100) location
- On-site kick-off with team captains
- Complimentary Walk registrations (15)
- Company name on mile marker signs (2)
- Inclusion in Walk Day announcements
- Inclusion in Walk Day signage
- Recognized in post event ceremony
Master’s Sponsor – $10,000
- Recognized in UNCF Walk press releases
- Logo on walk t-shirts (Friday, July 10, 2026)
- Corporate logo placement on Walk website w/hyperlink to company website
- Pre-event promotional marketing on local UNCF social media platforms
- Post-event recognition on local UNCF social media platforms
- Prime event tent (20×30 seats 70) location
- On-site kick-off with team captains
- Complimentary Walk registrations (10)
- Company name on mile marker sign (1)
- Inclusion in Walk Day announcements
- Inclusion in Walk Day signage
- Recognized in post event ceremony
Bachelor’s Sponsor – $5,000
- Logo on walk t-shirts (Friday, July 10, 2026)
- Tent (15 x 15 seats 30)
- On-site kick-off with team captains
- Complimentary Walk registrations (5)
- Inclusion in Walk Day announcements
- Inclusion in Walk Day signage
- Recognized in post event ceremony
Tuition Sponsor – $3,500
- Tent (10 x 10 seats 12)
- Complimentary Walk registrations (3)
- Inclusion in Walk Day signage
- Recognized in the post event ceremony
Room & Board Sponsor – $2,500
- Included in Walk Day signage
- Recognized in the post event ceremony
Books & Fees Sponsor – $1,000
- Recognized in post event ceremony
Vendor – $500
- One (1) table and two (2) chairs provided
- Booth location (near UNCF registration tent) to display materials with access to the pre-and post-Walk participants; vendor supplies their own tent
Underwriting and in-kind options are available.
Please contact Patrice M. Neal, Regional Development Director to discuss underwriting opportunities. Deadline for underwriting opportunities is Friday, July 31, 2026.