Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you’ll find simple answers about what we do, where donations go, and how you can take part in the work happening in Ethiopia.

  • We help children in Ethiopia move from life on the streets toward safety, education, and opportunity. Founded by Olympic runners Ryan and Sara Hall, The Hall Steps Foundation partners with trusted local organizations to provide housing, mentorship, and job training for children in need.

  • One hundred percent of your donation goes directly to project work in Ethiopia.
    We partner with Hope for the Fatherless in Addis Ababa to ensure that funds provide:

    • Safe housing and daily meals

    • Education and tutoring

    • Character development and mentorship

    • Job and skills training

    All administrative work for Steps is volunteer-run so that every dollar raised supports children and families on the ground.

  • Since 2009, the Steps community has funded projects that created opportunity for thousands across East Africa. Together we have:

    • Funded $414,050 in microloans through 5,106 borrowers, 73 percent of them women

    • Supported job training and seed funding for girls leaving homelessness

    • Donated to orphan care and family reunification programs in Ethiopia

    These earlier initiatives laid the foundation for our current work building a sustainable program for street children in Ethiopia.

  • There are two main ways to join the Steps movement:

    1. Donate. Every gift helps us reach more children in Ethiopia.

    2. Run for Steps. Turn your next race into a fundraiser. Whether you are running your first 5K or your tenth marathon, your miles can make a tangible difference.

    Visit our Run for Steps page for simple fundraising setup and participant incentives.

  • You can dedicate any race to The Hall Steps Foundation.

    1. Visit our fundraising page and create your campaign.

    2. Set a goal, share your story, and invite your community to give.

    3. Email sara@thestepsfoundation.org when you launch your fundraiser.

    You will receive a Steps runner kit and join a community using their miles to change lives.

  • Please email sara@thestepsfoundation.org for questions about donations, race participation, or partnership inquiries.

  • Ryan and Sara Hall are professional runners, coaches, and parents whose athletic careers inspired the founding of The Hall Steps Foundation. Both represented the United States as elite marathoners and distance runners before turning their energy toward service. Their shared goal is to turn movement into meaningful change for others.

    You can follow their work and family updates at

  • During their adoption journey in Ethiopia, Ryan and Sara saw firsthand how many children were living on the streets or in unsafe conditions. They founded The Hall Steps Foundation in 2009 to take something they loved—running—and use it to change lives. Today, that same spirit of endurance and hope drives the work of Steps in Ethiopia.

  • Yes. The Hall Steps Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
    Tax ID: 27-1602991
    All donations are fully tax-deductible.

  • At this stage, we are not organizing volunteer trips, but we welcome partnerships with individuals and organizations that share our mission. If you would like to collaborate, please reach out through our Contact page.

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  • Sign up for our quarterly newsletter or follow @thestepsfoundation on Instagram to hear about new milestones, race events, and updates from Ethiopia.