Official Hashtag: #AOTFSCC

Thanks to all the 2023 St. Catherine Challenge Participating Schools!

The AOTF St. Catherine Challenge is a national student-led fundraising initiative to support occupational therapy research grants awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. 

100% Faculty Participation (as of 03/13/23):

• Towson University
• Yeshiva University*
• St. Joseph's University
• Missouri State University
• Gwynedd Mercy University

The Challenge began in September 2013 when honor society students from St. Catherine University learned the importance of using effective treatment methods that are supported by research evidence. These students were seeking to increase awareness of occupational therapy research that guides practice. They challenged OT students at universities across the United States to a take on the challenge, create their own fundraisers, engage their communities, and join together in a friendly competition in support of AOTF's mission.

AOTF awards Intervention Research Grants (IRGs) to provide early-stage research funding to OT investigators that enable them to collect pilot data and build proof of concept for new and novel ideas. This one-year research grant of $50,000 is essential first-round funding necessary to collect and analyze data, publish findings, apply for larger grants, and conduct future studies. IRGs are the first step to improving the delivery of quality care. It is the goal of this year’s Challenge to fully fund 1 IRG in 2023 with funds raised by students.

Support the Challenge 

2023 Challenge Ended March 13, 2023: 
Be sure to include the name of your participating school.

• Donate online (preferred method due to our limited non-profit staff resources)
• Donate by mail: Make checks payable to AOTF, include school name on memo line and mail with a Donation Form so your school receives credit to:

AOTF/St. Catherine Challenge
12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Suite 520
Rockville, MD  20852

• Donate by phone:
  • 240-292-1077
  • Monday to Friday (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

The tax-deductible donations raised by the St. Catherine Challenge are used exclusively to fund and promote research into occupational therapy and thus advance the science of everyday living. Matching funds may be available based on university location and donors. See Disclosures.

Steps for Success Sample Toolkit:

• Pledge to Participate: Apply online for 2023 Challenge 
• Attend AOTFSCC Tips for Success Meeting in September (presentation slides available and recording will be available on demand) 
• Set a fundraising goal and a donation page on our official Challenge campaign site via Just Giving. It's easy- set-up your page, personalize it, access real-time totals and rankings, plus share directly to social media and email.
• Spread the word to students, faculty, friends and family: 
  • Create a video on why you're raising funds for OT research
  • Showcase an IRG recipient and/or topic with videos 
  • One-Page Flyer Template- Feel free to add your logo(within school guidelines), special initiatives and qr code to your fundraising page. 
  • AOTFSCC logos to add to your graphics: Basic Logo png | Basic Logo jpg | Instagram Template (w/space to add your logo and text)
  • Social Media
    • Use #AOTFSCC (the best way for us to see and share all the creative ways you're fundraising)
    • Tag @AOTFoundation Twitter/ @otfoundation on Instagram/ AmericanOccupationalTherapyFoundation on Facebook
  • Fundraising Letter Template
• Share your success with AOTF so we can show your committment to evidence-based OT practice
• Have Fun!!!

Challenge Awards

1st Place - President’s Award

• 4 Tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and picture with the BWS speaker
• 2 Tickets to AOTF VIP Reception
• Plaque for the school

2nd Place - Award of Excellence

• 4 tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and picture with the BWS speaker
• 2 tickets to State of the Science Symposium
• Plaque for the school

3rd Place - Award of Merit

• 2 tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and picture with the BWS speaker
• 2 tickets to the SOS Symposium

MVP- Recognizes a school that went above and beyond in this year’s Challenge. A top factor will be the school that uses the #AOTFSCC the most.

• Plaque for the school and picture with the BWS speaker

Rush to the Top- Recognizes the most successful first-time participating school

• Plaque for the school and picture with the BWS speaker

In addition to the overall Challenge winners, AOTF recognizes school’s successes during the Challenge:

• Mid-Challenge Top 5 
• 100% Faculty Participation (as of 01/05/23)
  • Towson University
    
    * First-Time Participating Schools Drawing will be held Sept. 19th, up to 8 packs per winning team, prizes subject to change. 

We love that we have the opportunity to support OT research through the St. Catherine Challenge this year and are excited to be working alongside other OT programs across the country to reach our national fundraising goal. - San Jose State University, 2020 St. Catherine Challenge Grand Winner (Left, with Misericordia University and Mary Baldwin University)

Contact

StCatherineChallenge@aotf.org
240-292-1077
AOTF/St. Catherine Challenge
12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Suite 520
Rockville, MD 20852

Past Challenge Award Winners:

2022
1st Place- St. Catherine University
2nd Place- University of Pittsburgh
3rd Place- University of Southern California
MVP- Brenau University
Rush to the Top- Alvernia University 

2021
1st Place- University of Pittsburgh
2nd Place- Washington University in St. Louis
3rd Place- NYU Steinhardt
MVP- MGH Health Institution of Health Professions
Rush to the Top- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

2020
1st Place- San Jose State University