As student cyclists from 66 men’s and women’s teams compete to win the iconic Little 500 bike races in April, they’ll be racing for a common cause: Students Helping Students.
IU Bloomington students have rallied around the race to raise money that supports their peers since it started 75 years ago, when former IU Foundation President Howard “Howdy” Wilcox established the Little 500 to fundraise for student scholarships. That philanthropic mission remains the driving force behind the race.
Since 2023, the IU Student Foundation has focused its fundraising on the Students Helping Students campaign, which supports a different student-centered initiative every two years. After a poll revealed that some students struggle with regular expenses like housing, transportation, and food, the IU Student Foundation decided to focus its 2026 campaign on raising money to support basic needs.
“It’s important to us because any student who goes here should be able to focus on why they’re here, which is to get an education and have new experiences,” said Student Foundation Steering Committee President Kendall Thom. “We want to take some of that stress and burden off of students.”
In partnership with the IU Bloomington Office of Basic Needs, the Student Foundation is helping fill a gap for those who are struggling to afford everyday essentials. Each Little 500 cycling team sets a fundraising goal, and teams that meet their goal will wear a special patch on race day declaring “I ride for Students Helping Students.”
“I think Students Helping Students and the Little 500 show what students can do when they come together,” Thom said. “Last year’s campaign we raised around $61,000, and it just goes to show the power of collective giving.”
The results of previous campaigns demonstrate the lasting impact of Students Helping Students. After supporting Crimson Cupboard in 2023, the on-campus food pantry purchased a van that made it easier to transport food to campus. The 2024 campaign to destigmatize mental health helped fund a wellness house. And, last year, the Students Helping Students campaign supported three different mindfulness programs offered by Counseling and Psychological Services and brought additional embedded therapy programs to IU Bloomington’s culture centers.
Rather than focus on a monetary goal each year, Students Helping Students aims to engage a certain number of student donors. This year, their goal is 1,250.
“It can be easy to have a herd mentality and think your small donation doesn’t matter, but $5 is your average cup of coffee, and if you skip it this morning, you could be helping students in need,” said Jessyka Brown, a Students Helping Students steering committee member. “Students can start their philanthropic journey now and continue making an impact well into their adult life.”
The Students Helping Students campaign kicks off during Little 500 Qualifications on March 28 and runs through the women’s and men’s races on April 24 and 25. Ticket sales benefit the campaign, with $1 from each ticket going toward Students Helping Students. All Student Foundation proceeds from a Little 500 concert featuring Magdalena Bay will also go toward the campaign, and people can make direct donations to support the initiative.
Students leading the effort say it’s as much about raising awareness as it is raising money.
“I think it’s important to build that sense of community because there are a lot of stressors that come with being a college student — there’s the stressors of not only academics but also trying to make your way in the world after this.” said Brown. “It’s important to know that you have a community. There are so many people who have your back, and you might not even know their name.”