The Walking Classroom Institute
The walking classroom is a national award-winning nonprofit program and educational tool that works to improve the physical, mental and academic health of elementary and middle school children. By walking, listening, and learning regularly throughout the school year, students establish healthy lifestyle habits while building health literacy and core content knowledge. The primary goal of our program is to break the cycle of inactivity and obesity while providing an innovative method of academic engagement at the same time. The method is simple: students walk as a class (usually outside) while listening to the same, expert-researched, custom-written, kid-friendly educational podcast. Students are excited to get out of the classroom, and they soon begin to enjoy regular exercise and realize that the walking classroom and its effects empower them.
The Walking Classroom Institute at a glance
In short: The Walking Classroom Institute gave $2.2M across 8 grants in 2021 (avg $269K), mostly in Oregon. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $2,154,599
- +19807.6% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 8
- +300.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $269,325
- +4876.9% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $5,545
- Primary geography
- Oregon (98% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who The Walking Classroom Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Alliance for a Healthier Generation ($2.1M). Together the top 8 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 10 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2020) to $2.2M (2021). In 2021 it made 8 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance for a Healthier Generation Portland, OR | When the walking classroom institute dissolved, all assets, both intangible and tangible, were granted to the alliance for a healthier generations. | $2,113,291 |
| Adams 12 Peak Thornton, CO | To Provide the Organization with Walkkits. | $9,200 |
| Gresham Community School Gresham, WI | To Provide the Orgnization with Walkkits. | $5,882 |
| Butner-STEM Elementary Butner, NC | To Provide the Organization with Walkkits. | $5,738 |
| Will Rogers Elementary Colorado Springs, CO | To Provide the Organization with Walkkits. | $5,351 |
| Robert Lunt Elementary Las Vegas, NV | To Provide the Organization with Walkkits. | $5,065 |
| Middle Earth Bridgewater Township, NJ | To Provide the Organization with Walkkits. | $5,049 |
| Spitler Elementary Hart, MI | To Provide the Organization with Walkkits. | $5,023 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $732,267 | $2,717,176 | $2,154,599 | 8 | $173 |
| 2020 | $2,089,243 | $490,688 | $483,247 | $10,823 | 2 | $86 |
About The Walking Classroom Institute
Based on IRS filings
The Walking Classroom Institute is a public charity focused on Education, based in Durham, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 8 grants totaling $2.2M. Net investment income was $173.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Walking Classroom Institute is led by Laura Fenn, Founder & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2021 are compensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Laura Fenn
Founder & CEO
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $46K (2021)
Debra Ives
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$68K (2020) → $84K (2021)
Rachel Mandell
Board Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deepika Gandhi
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Tarica
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Curtin
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Harris
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Halstead
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rani Dasi
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $84K, to Debra Ives (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Walking Classroom Institute
How much does The Walking Classroom Institute give each year?
The Walking Classroom Institute gave $2.2M across 8 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990. In 2020 it gave $11K across 2 grants.
What is The Walking Classroom Institute's typical grant size?
The Walking Classroom Institute's median grant in 2021 was $5,545, and its average grant was $269,325, across 8 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Walking Classroom Institute give grants?
The Walking Classroom Institute gives mostly in Oregon: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does The Walking Classroom Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The Walking Classroom Institute's 2021 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Provide the Organization with Walkkits." (6 grants).
Who are The Walking Classroom Institute's largest grantees?
The Walking Classroom Institute's largest 2021 grantees include Alliance for a Healthier Generation ($2,113,291), Adams 12 Peak ($9,200) and Gresham Community School ($5,882), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What is The Walking Classroom Institute?
The Walking Classroom Institute is a public charity focused on Education, based in Durham, NC.
What is The Walking Classroom Institute's EIN?
The Walking Classroom Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-4477692. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 14, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work The Walking Classroom Institute funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Walking Classroom Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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