Keeping Our Promise

Annual Report 2022

Our Promise Grows Stronger Every Day

As we reflect on the decade that has passed since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where our youngest sons, Daniel and Dylan, were killed, we are deeply grateful for your support. Our shared promise to protect kids from gun violence endures until all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. And we couldn’t do this life-saving work without you.

This has been a turbulent year. Despite many challenges, our momentum continues to grow. We trained more youth and adults than ever before. Thousands of school communities are stronger. Numerous lives were saved. Countless kids received the help they needed.

Please explore our Annual Report page or download the full report.*  You’ll see how your support is making a difference.

*Please note that data and statistics in the downloadable report and on this page are through June 30, 2022.

Providing in-school and virtual learning opportunities to ensure every student can participate, no matter where they are.

2022 Program Highlights

Start With Hello

This age-appropriate program for grades K-12 teaches youth about empathy and inclusiveness. Nearly 10 million people have participated in this empowering program. As a result, bullying was reduced and social emotional skills increased.

Students learned how to recognize the signs of loneliness and social isolation, and what they can do to help. Enhanced activities, games, and lessons created this year provided new ways for connecting in classroom and virtual environments.

Say Something

This program is designed for students in grades 4-12. Students learn the warning signs and threats of someone who may be at-risk of harming themselves or others. Additionally, they’re empowered to get help and tell a trusted adult. More than 3.7 million students, educators and community members have participated in Say Something trainings across the United States.

This year, the program was expanded to address the warning signs of youth suicide and how adults can better support students to get help for themselves or others. This has resulted in more students receiving support during a mental health crisis and increased awareness of actions they can take to prevent violence and self-harm.

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

This system provides a mobile app, telephone hotline, and website for students to anonymously report concerning behaviors. More than 4.4 million people have participated in this program nationwide.

Over 133,000 tips have been submitted, with nearly 1 in 5 found to be credible threats of danger. Our crisis counsellors have managed 2,700 confirmed interventions. As a result, thousands received vital assistance. Above all, at least 321 lives have been saved and 9 credible school shooting plots were averted.

SAVE Promise Club

Our youth-led SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Clubs empower, educate, and engage youth in protecting their peers, schools, and communities from violence through the teachings of Start with Hello and Say Something.

The Clubs lead school-based activities, visit nearby schools to spread the Know the Signs message, and network with other Clubs nationwide. Each SAVE Promise Club receives resources to plan events and projects that promote kindness, inclusion, and the value of being an Upstander to prevent violence, self-harm, and suicide. SAVE Promise Clubs have grown to 3,800+ in schools and communities nationwide.

Where We Are Going

Sandy Hook Promise is on a mission to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence.

As we bring our evidence-informed Know the Signs programs to more schools, advance a bipartisan policy agenda focused on gun violence prevention and youth mental health, and activate a diverse network of supporters, we aim to empower 25 million more people in the next five years. Read the plan details in our full Annual Report.

Sandy Hook Promise Tree

Impact: Potential Shooting Averted

When a West Virginia middle school student saw a classmate who had a gun in his backpack while riding the bus to school, he knew exactly what to do. Having been trained in the Say Something program, the student knew he had to act immediately and tell a Trusted Adult.

Not only did authorities find the gun and ammunition, but the student admitted he was planning to kill someone at school later that day.

Read more about this incident and other stories of impact in our full Annual Report.

Program Participants and Supporters

Policy Action

Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, our 501(c)(4) sister organization, has made great strides in advancing policy. 

See recent progress in Washington and at State Capitols.

Visit our Action Fund Website to get involved.

Read the Action Fund Report to see more about policy.

Financial Accountability

Sandy Hook Promise values your rights as a donor and we work hard to be good stewards of your generosity. We’re proud to be a transparent charity. What’s more, we’ve received a Platinum Star Seal for Transparency from GuideStar and a 100% rating from Charity Navigator for Finance and Accountability. 

Sandy Hook Promise Is A Recognized top rated nonprofit Organization

Sandy Hook Promise Is A Recognized top rated nonprofit Organization

Child Abuse Prevention Services Logo

Impact over the years

Our commitment to advancing race, equity, diversity, and inclusion

Sandy Hook Promise strives to ensure its work environment, programmatic work, and culture reflect the values of race, equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI). Acting on our REDI commitment, Sandy Hook Promise amplifies the voices and lived experiences of all people regardless of – but not limited to – race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, geographic location, primary language, or disability status.

We remain steadfast in our belief that teaching kids to value equity and inclusivity, speak up against injustice and victimization, and get help for those who need it, ensures a just future for everyone. Charity Navigator has recognized Sandy Hook Promise with a 4-star rating and score of 95% for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Learn more.

Impact: Potential Shooting Averted

When a West Virginia middle school student saw a classmate who had a gun in his backpack while riding the bus to school, he knew exactly what to do. Having been trained in the Say Something program, the student knew he had to act immediately and tell a Trusted Adult.

Not only did authorities find the gun and ammunition, but the student admitted he was planning to kill someone at school later that day.

Read more about this incident and other stories of impact in our full Annual Report.