2025-26 Iron Giraffe Challenge is Open!

Smile of a man in a blue suit with a red tie outdoors, with text overlay promoting a contest to win a visit or video call with Salva Dut.
A smiling man in a blue suit and red tie standing next to a smiling woman with glasses and a polka dot blue dress, outdoors on a grassy field with trees in the background.
Two men standing together indoors, one wearing a light gray shirt and the other wearing a Paris Saint-Germain football jersey, with a text overlay that says 'Win a Video Call with AJ and Lion!'

Join the fun—and make a difference!

The Iron Giraffe Challenge, a program of Water for South Sudan (WFSS), is a fun and impactful fundraising event where schools compete to support clean water projects in South Sudan. Students, teachers, and communities come together to raise at least $1,000. Schools that meet this goal are entered to win exciting prizes, including a visit from Salva Dut, the founder of Water for South Sudan. Participants also receive a special classroom poster celebrating their efforts. Registration is free, making it easy for schools to join and make a meaningful difference while engaging students in a hands-on philanthropic challenge that creates real social impact.

*Note: Your IGC pledge can count toward a sponsorship.

Contact us to share your interest in sponsoring a clean water project.

For Title 1 schools: when registering using the form below, be sure to select “Yes” for the Title 1 school option.

Iron Giraffe 12" Plus - Name the Giraffe Campaign

Meet Kito, the Traveling Giraffe

The Iron Giraffe Challenge is in full swing! With five months still ahead in the school campaign, we’re excited to introduce something special to keep the energy high.

Meet Kito — a symbol of determination, impact, and the long journey to clean water in South Sudan. This giraffe is traveling alongside the challenge, encouraging schools every step of the way as they raise funds to bring safe, reliable water to communities who need it most. 🦒💧

And here’s the fun part: the school with the largest donation total in the IGC will win Kito, the 12" plush giraffe, to keep as a reminder of their incredible impact!

A group of children and two adults posing together in a gymnasium with a wooden floor, behind a banner that reads 'In honour of John James Audubon School #33 Rochester, NY 2018'.
Group of school girls wearing matching red HTMS t-shirts, posing for a photo in a library with bookshelves on both sides.
A boy walking indoors on a mat, holding two large blue water bottles, wearing a white and blue hoodie with a graphic design, dark pants, and white sneakers with black accents.
Group of young boys sitting at a table playing bingo, with bingo cards and small colored chips on a blue tablecloth.
Group of people working together on a water conservation or environmental cleanup project at a beach or lakeside, filling blue water containers with water.
Four smiling young women in brown River Cleanup shirts taking a group selfie by a river on a cloudy day.
Three students stand behind a table displaying a science project about water conservation at school, with certificates and photos on the table, in a school cafeteria.
A group of students walking outside school building on a sunny day with trees in the background.
A plush giraffe toy with a donation note around its neck, standing in front of a pink background with blue teardrop-shaped information signs. One sign states that a collection container weighs over 40 pounds when full, and another states that 1 in 9
Six people on a stage presenting a message about water and charity, with a large screen behind them that reads 'PRAY. FAST. GIVE. WATER.' Audience members are seated in front of the stage.
Two women looking at a display table with posters and various items at an indoor event.
A school classroom display titled 'Iron Giraffe Challenge' featuring a life-sized cardboard cutout of a giraffe, a large pink paper thermometer chart, and colored sticky notes with water-related facts.
Group photo of smiling girls and a coach in a gym, all posing together.
Three large transparent water bottles with handwritten labels titled "Water Challenge" and different point totals: 721, 703, and 725. The bottles are filled with money and coins, placed on a classroom desk.
Two girls holding a yellow poster with text about raising funds for clean drinking water in Sudan, standing in front of motivational posters on a school wall.
Two young girls smiling and paddling a homemade cardboard boat in a swimming pool, with other participants and onlookers in the background.
Two young men sitting behind a decorated table with informational materials and decorations, next to a small festive Christmas tree, in a room with a closed wooden door.
Group of children and a man dressed as an elf at a holiday event, standing behind a table decorated with green garland, in a school hallway with holiday-themed decorations on the wall.
A group of people walking on a paved path in a park, each carrying a gallon-sized water jug on their heads. The scene is outdoors with leafless trees and a clear blue sky.
Two young boys smiling and holding water walk challenge certificates, on a football field with clear skies and stadium lights.
Group of school children and teachers standing on a football field for a photo, under a clear blue sky.
Group of five girls holding a yellow banner that reads "Iron Giraffe Challenge" at an indoor event, with posters and photos displayed on the wall behind them.
Group of children standing in a line outdoors, holding water jugs, in front of a brick building and a tree, on a wet sidewalk during overcast weather.
A group of children and their teacher standing outside a brick school building called Loveland Intermediate and Middle School. The children are holding water bottles and are dressed in casual clothing, some wearing purple shirts for a 3rd-grade event
A man and woman standing together on a track field, with children sitting on bleachers in the background. The man is wearing a white T-shirt with a water droplet logo and the text 'Water for South Sudan,' and the woman is wearing a colorful blouse. T
A group of children and an adult walking on a red running track outdoors, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
Three children standing indoors at a donation or aid station, holding water containers and papers. One girl on the left holds a large bottle of tea on her head, the girl in the middle holds a water jug and a paper, and the boy on the right also holds
Group of young female soccer players and a coach outdoors on a sunny day at a soccer field.
A group of six young people and an adult man holding a framed artwork on a stage, smiling for a photo.
Group of children standing outdoors in a line, holding gallon containers labeled 'drinking water' on their heads, participating in a water distribution event.
Display about water conservation with a water droplet sign, a transparent container, a yellow wooden model house, photographs, and informational posters on a table.
Two children's books on a display table, 'A Thirst for Home' and 'Nya's Long Walk,' with a sign saying 'Water is a Human Right' and small tags indicating they were bought with H2O.
Group of seven children and one adult woman, all smiling, pose in a classroom in front of educational posters about South Sudan. The group includes four girls and three boys, some wearing black T-shirts with white text, while others wear colorful clo
Group of children and adults posing outdoors on a grassy field, with some holding jugs, in front of a swimming pool, wearing T-shirts with a logo for a charity event.

Step 1

Start by filling out an Iron Giraffe Challenge Registration Form.

Please note: While multiple classes from the same school are welcome to fundraise for the IGC, the school will receive only one entry in the drawing.

(Already registered? Scroll down to see your school’s name!)

IGC Registration Form

IGC 2025-26 dates & deadlines

  • Registration deadline: April 3, 2026

  • Funds due: April 17, 2026

  • Live drawing: May 1, 2026, 12pm EST

A group of children standing in a line outdoors, each holding a large plastic jug on their heads, with some smiling and others looking focused.

Step 2

As you plan (or continue) fundraising, bookmark this page and make sure to check out these resources.

Prizes & rules Fundraising Packet Donation Information
Challenge Checklist Letter from Salva
Printable Fundraising Thermometer

Please send donations by check along with a Donation Summary Form.

For international schools interested in submitting funds via wire transfer, please fill out this form.

Donation Summary Form
Download our W-9
Contact us

Step 3

Begin (or continue) fundraising! As part of IGC registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional information on how to create a fundraising page through GiveLively. You are under no obligation to use the online fundraising page.

For additional support, contact us.

Access your fundraising page

 Click below for a special message from Salva!

 Registered Schools in the Iron Giraffe Challenge
2025-26

* Returning participant

Bold = reached $1,000 goal

Ada W. Harris Elementary School, CA, USA*

Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior/Senior High School, PA, USA*

Altamahaw Ossipee Elementary School, NC, USA

ALTUS Family Liber Academy Ironwood, AZ, USA*

Anza Elementary School, CA, USA

Apex Elementary School, NC, USA

Archbold Middle School, OH, USA* 

Argyle Middle School, MD, USA

Assumption Catholic School, FL, USA*

Audubon Park K-8 School, FL, USA*

Aviara Oaks Middle School, CA, USA*

Bailey Middle School, NC, USA

Balboa Middle School, CA, USA

Beacon Christian School, Canada

Bednarcik Jr. High, IL, USA*

Beiriger Elementary School, IN, USA*

Belleville Middle School, NJ, USA

Bergen Catholic High School, NJ, USA*

Bernheim Middle School, KY, USA

Bessey Creek Elementary, FL, USA

Bethel Middle School, AR, USA*

Big Walnut Middle School, OH, USA*

Blessed Sacrament School, IL, USA

Blue Valley School, Costa Rica

Brewster High School, NY, USA*

Bridge Creek Middle School, OK, USA

British International School of Houston, TX, USA*

Brown Local Schools, OH, USA*

Buffalo Prairie Middle School, MO, USA

Cabot Middle School North, AR, USA*

Cabot Middle School South, AR, USA*

Calera Middle School, AL, USA

Camanche Middle School, IA, USA

Cane Bay Middle School, SC, USA

Cap Cana Heritage School, Dominican Republic

Carl Sandburg Middle School, PA, USA*

Carroll Middle, NC, USA

Cascade Middle School, IN, USA

Cashmere Middle School, WA, USA

Cayman International School, Cayman Islands*

Centennial Academy Charter School, GA, USA

Center Moriches Middle School, NY, USA*

Central Middle School, GA, USA

Central Middle School, IL, USA*

Chagrin Falls Middle School, OH, USA*

Chaparral Elementary School, CA, USA*

Cheonsang High School, South Korea

Chicago Christian School, IL, USA*

Christ the Teacher Catholic School, DE, USA

Clever Middle School, MO, USA

Cohen Middle School, NY, USA

Collegium Charter School, PA, USA*

Columbia Independent School, MO, USA*

Concord Middle School, MA, USA*

Coopersville Middle School, MI, USA

Corporate Landing Middle School, VA, USA

Countryside Christian School, Canada*

Crestdale Middle School, NC, USA

Dag Hammarskjold Middle School, CT, USA*

Dallam School, United Kingdom*

Danbury Elementary School, NH, USA

David A. Brown Middle School, CA, USA*

David H. Hickman High School, MO, USA

Del Mar Pines School, CA, USA

Dobbs Ferry Middle School, NY, USA*

Dutton Christian School, MI, USA*

East Middle School, MO, USA*

East Ward Elementary, NJ, USA

Easthill Elementary School, Canada

Elisabeth C. Adams Middle School, CT, USA*

Elma Township Public School, Canada*

Evening Street, OH, USA*

Farley Elementary School, KS, USA

Federal Hill Preparatory School, MD, USA

Flushing Middle School, MI, USA*

Forest Edge Elementary School, VA, USA*

Forestville High School, NY, USA

Fort Worth Country Day School, TX, USA*

Fountain Inn Elementary School, SC, USA

Frank H. Wheeler Elementary School, IN, USA*

Frankfurt International School Wiesbaden, Germany*

Frontier Trail Middle School, KS, USA*

Galion Middle School, OH, USA

Geggie Elementary School, MO, USA

Germantown Middle School, MS, USA

Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall School, IL, USA*

Glasshouse Christian College, Australia*

Glenwood Springs Middle School, CO, USA*

Governor Mifflin Intermediate School, PA, USA*

Granada Hills Charter, CA, USA*

Grandview Elementary, CO, USA

Greece Athena Middle School, NY, USA*

Greene County Community Middle School, IA, USA*

Griswold Middle School, CT, USA*

Hampton Cove Elementary School, AL, USA

Hannalei Elementary, CA, USA*

Hardin Northern Elementary School, OH, USA

Hawthorne Elementary School, CA, USA

Hazen Union School, VT, USA*

HERO Homeschool Group, SC, USA

Highland Academy Charter School, CA, USA

Highland Park Middle School, NJ, USA

Highlands Middle School, MI, USA*

Holland Patent Middle School, NY, USA*

Holy Cross Lutheran Academy, FL, USA

Houston Academy, AL, USA*

Hubbard Middle School, TX, USA*

Hubert H. Bancroft Elementary, CA, USA

Hugh John MacDonald, Canada

iLEAD Hybrid School, CA, USA

Independence Middle School, VA, USA*

Intermediate School 34, NY, USA*

International School of Prague, Czech Republic*

Ipswich Middle School, MA, USA*

I.S. 281 Joseph  B. Cavallaro Middle School, NY,
USA

I.S. 584, NY, USA

Ithan Elementary, PA, USA

Jennie F Snapp Middle School, NY, USA

JFK Middle School 6th Grade, MA*

John J. Ahern Middle School, MA, USA

Kanoelani Elementary School, HI, USA

Katherine Edwards Middle School, CA, USA

Kerman Middle School, CA, USA

Keene Middle School 7th Grade, NH, USA*

Lake Ridge Academy, OH, USA*

Lakewood City Schools Battle of the Books Club Emerson Elementary School, OH, USA

Landmark Elementary & Middle School, MA, USA

Langston Hughes Middle School, VA, USA*

Lee L Driver Middle School, IN, USA

Leslie Lewis Elementary School, IL, USA

Lewisville Middle School, SC, USA*

Lighthouse Commonwealth of Iron County, UT, USA

Lincoln Middle School, RI, USA

Louis M. Klein Middle School, NY, USA*

Loveland Intermediate School, OH, USA*

Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 School, FL, USA

Marion C. Moore School, KY, USA

Marlowe Middle School, IL, USA*

Martic Elementary School, PA, USA*

Mason Intermediate School, OH, USA*

Massabesic Middle School, ME, USA*

Mayfield High School, NY, USA*

McGee Middle School, CT, USA

Mediapolis Community Schools, IA, USA*

Mesa Union School, CA, USA

Middle School of Piedmont, OK, USA

Millcreek Junior High School, UT, USA

Mineola Middle School, NY, USA*

Mission Trail Middle School, KS, USA*

Mokapu Elementary School, HI, USA

Monsignor Matthew F. Clarke Catholic Regional School, RI, USA

Mountain Sage Community School, CO, USA

Mountain View Middle School, PA, USA*

Munger Elementary-Middle School, MI, USA

New Boston Central School, NH, USA

Niverville Middle School, Canada*

N.L. Dillard Middle School, NC, USA

Norris Middle School, CA, USA*

North Shore Middle School, NY, USA*

Northpoint Christian School, MS, USA*

Northside Methodist Academy, AL, USA

Notre Dame Academy, NY, USA*

Ophir STEAM Academy, CA, USA

Our Lady of Grace, PA, USA*

OX TLC International School Dongguan, China*

P.75Q The Robert E. Peary School, NY, USA

Palominas Elementary School, AZ, USA

Parkview Public School, Canada

Parkville Middle School, MD, USA

Pathway School of Discovery, OH, USA

PEAK Christian Academy, TX, USA

Pin Oak Middle School, TX, USA

Pioneer Middle School, NY, USA

Pittman Charter School, CA, USA

Presbyterian Day School, TN, USA*

Prince of Peace Catholic School, SC, USA*

P.S./M.S. 280X, NY, USA

Riverside Junior High, IN, USA*

Robert Adams Middle School, MA, USA*

Rowan County Senior High School, KY, USA

Saint Bernadette School, MD, USA

Saint John Paul II Regional Catholic School, CT, USA

Salida Middle School, CO, USA*

Sierra Vista Middle School, CA, USA*

Salisbury Central School, CT, USA

Samoset Middle School, MA, USA

Scioto Elementary School, OH, USA*

Sedgwick Middle School, CT, USA*

Sequoia Elementary School, CA, USA*

Shady Side Academy Middle School, PA, USA*

Shanghai Vanke Bilingual School Minhang, China

Shoemaker Elementary School, PA, USA

Sinking Springs Elementary, PA, USA

South Cumberland Elementary School, TN, USA*

Springhouse Middle School, PA, USA

St. Cecilia School, CA, USA*

St. Clare School, NY, USA*

St. Hilary School, OH, USA

St. John's Episcopal School, CA, USA*

St. Justin Martyr School, MO, USA

St. Mary's Catholic School, MA, USA*

St. Mary's Parish School, MA, USA

St. Patrick School Malvern, PA, USA

St. Paul's Lutheran School, MD, USA*

St. Pius X Catholic School, IN, USA*

St. Theresa Elementary School, NJ, USA

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, IN, USA

St. Walter Catholic School, IL, USA

Strathcona Elementary School, Canada

Summit Middle School, OK, USA

Sunnycrest Elementary School, WA, USA

Sussex Academy, DE, USA*

Tamarac Middle & High School, NY, USA*

Tarbiyah Academy, MD, USA*

Taylor Road Middle School, GA, USA

Thomas Page Academy, CA, USA*

Tillicum Elementary, WA, USA*

Timothy Christian School, Canada*

The Bay Head School, NJ, USA*

The Museum School of Avondale Estates, GA, USA*

The New School, AR, USA*

Thomas Jefferson Middle School, NJ, USA

Thornwell Charter School, SC, USA

Trinity Lutheran School, OH, USA*

Tripp Middle School, ME, USA*

Tupper Lake Middle-High School, NY, USA

TVT Community Day School, CA, USA

U-32 School, VT, USA*

Utica Community Schools Instructional Resource Center, MI, USA

Valley Stream South High School, NY, USA

Valor Academy, WY, USA

Venture Academy, WI, USA

Veronica E. Connor Middle School, NY, USA*

Village School, CA, USA

Vineyard Junior High School

Vista Christian School, CA, USA

W.F. Burns Middle School, AL, USA

Waldorf School of Garden City, NY, USA

Waldwick Middle School, NJ, USA*

Walker Charter Academy, MI, USA*

Wantagh Middle School, NY, USA*

Washington Heights Academy, NY, USA

West New York Public School #2, NJ, USA*

Western Academy of Beijing, China

Whigham Elementary School, GA, USA

Wildflower Homeschool Collective, NJ, USA

Woodside Middle School, IN, USA

Yongsan International School of Seoul, South Korea*

Zeigler-Royalton Junior High, IL, USA

What is an Iron Giraffe Drill?

Fun fact: The Iron Giraffe Drill refers to the drill used to dig for wells, such as in the photo on the left!

Students, teachers, and schools like you make our work possible. We are immensely grateful for your tremendous fundraising efforts and united passions, ultimately coming together to water the seeds of change in South Sudan.

If you are interested in sharing how the Iron Giraffe Challenge motivated and inspired your school to help make a difference, please fill out this form.

If your community group is interested in participating in the Iron Giraffe Challenge, please contact us for more information.

Learn more about Why We IGC

“The Iron Giraffe Challenge empowers students to become global citizens through meaningful service. By participating, they don’t just learn about the world—they actively shape it, seeing firsthand how their efforts help expand access to clean water and strengthen communities in South Sudan.”

— Shannon Hesel, Executive Director

Check out former IGC Grand Prize Winners!

  • A group of children and adults in a classroom holding books and smiling for a photo. Behind them, a whiteboard with colorful writing and drawings. Text overlay says "International School of Denver, 2022-2023 Winner."

    International School of Denver

    2022-2023 Winner

    Click Here
  • Front view of Falston Middle School building with an American flag, benches labeled 'Cougar Club,' and a clear blue sky.

    Fallston Middle School

    2021-22 Winner

    Click Here
  • Front view of Carlsbad High School building with the school's name on the facade, under a clear blue sky on a sunny day, with a shadow of the building cast on the sidewalk.

    Carlsbad High School

    2020-21 Winner

    Click Here
  • Front view of A. F. Ames Elementary School with brick facade, surrounded by green trees, under a blue sky, with a sidewalk leading to the entrance, and a sign indicating school zone.

    A. F. Ames Elementary School

    2019-20 Winner

    Click Here
  • A large group of children and teenagers gathered outdoors on a grassy field, posing for a group photo at the DSBN Academy, the 2018-2019 winner. Many are smiling and wearing casual clothing, with some holding a banner that reads 'DSBN Academy.'

    DSBN Academy

    2018-19 IGC Winner

    Click Here
  • Group of young girls and a coach on a sports field, some wearing yellow jerseys, with trees in the background, celebrating a victory.

    Pine Lake Prep Charter

    2017-18 IGC Winner

    Click Here