The Ice Bucket Challenge is a viral social media campaign that involves a person having a bucket of ice water poured over their head, usually filmed and shared online. Participants then nominate others to do the same within 24 hours or make a charitable donation. The original purpose of the challenge, which went viral in 2014, was to raise awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative condition

. The challenge was co-founded by three young men with ALS-Pete Frates, Pat Quinn, and Anthony Senerchia-and quickly gained worldwide attention, with over 17 million people participating and raising more than $115 million for ALS research and care in 2014 alone

. The funds helped accelerate research, leading to new studies and drug developments

. In recent years, the Ice Bucket Challenge has seen revivals with new focuses. In 2025, students from the University of South Carolina's Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club relaunched the challenge to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. This version encourages donations to mental health organizations like Active Minds, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health

Summary of the Ice Bucket Challenge for 2020s:

• Pour ice water over oneself on camera.
• Nominate others to participate within 24 hours.
• Donate to a related charitable cause (originally ALS; recently mental health).
• Use social media to spread awareness.
• The 2025 revival focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, raising significant funds and support

Thus, while the original Ice Bucket Challenge was for ALS awareness and fundraising, the current iterations, including the 2025 challenge, have expanded to support mental health causes.