On April 15, people will gather for the 128th Boston Marathon to cheer on the thousands of runners participating in the annual event. Organized by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) since 1897, the world’s oldest annual marathon is a distinguished event that brings Bostonians and people from around the world together. Not only is the Boston Marathon the pinnacle event for talented athletes, but it also helps nonprofit fundraising in numerous ways, raising visibility and funds so they can continue to make a difference in Greater Boston and beyond.
The 2024 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program provides invitational entries to runners who represent one of the nonprofits in the Official Charity Program, regardless of whether or not they meet the qualifying time requirement. This year, 160 nonprofit organizations are participating. Each athlete is required to raise $5,000 or more for the nonprofit they are representing. Runners who qualify for the race are also welcome to fundraise through the charity program. Collectively, the nonprofit fundraising from this program makes a large impact on nonprofits. For some smaller organizations, the marathon represents the bulk of their annual fundraising.
The fundraising goal for this year’s event is $50 million. According to the B.A.A., the 2023 Boston Marathon raised a record $40.3 million, and more than $500.2 million has been raised since the charity program started in 1989. Last year’s race broke the record for funds raised for nonprofit organizations, surpassing the previous record of $38.7 million in 2019. That’s a lot of money to help a lot of people.
Participating in this program is a great way for nonprofits to raise money for their own programs while engaging with the community and empowering people to pledge themselves to their mission. Many nonprofit runners are also able to raise awareness, name recognition, and team morale by wearing creative team shirts with the organization’s name that are seen by thousands of spectators as they pass by.
Teak Media client The Home for Little Wanderers is a member of the Official Charity Program, with nine athletes pledging to raise funds to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing children with safe surroundings, permanent loving relationships, and a secure path toward a better, brighter future. From the Boston Marathon, the organization will raise nearly $75,000. To support The Home and its runners, visit: https://www.givengain.com/cause/thehome.
In addition, four runners are lacing up for the Boston Marathon to raise money and awareness for Teak Media client Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts. The nonprofit partners with families to provide children with one-to-one relationships with caring adult mentors who help them reach their fullest potential. Fundraising through the marathon will help the organization continue to carry out its mission to support as many young people as possible. To support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts and its runners, visit: https://support.emassbigs.org/team/556183.
Media attention around runners helps the nonprofits garner recognition and reach more potential volunteers or donors to get involved in the cause. News outlets like to feature runners leading up to the Boston Marathon, especially those with a local connection to the paper or website. For example, check out The Home for Little Wanderers runner feature on Boston.com, and this Franklin Town News story on a runner for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts.
Taite Panton, 19, of Duxbury will also run in his first official Boston Marathon on Monday to raise money for the JBC PANS & PANDAS Foundation. Panton has suffered from the viral ailment since he was five years old. Now a successful, physically and mentally strong freshmen at the University of New Hampshire, Panton is running in the marathon to provide inspiration to other youth so they can see the possibility of healing. Read more about Panton’s experiences in The Duxbury Clipper and UNH Today. Here is how you can support the JBC PANS & PANDAS Foundation through Panton’s run.
The B.A.A. also gives out grants to nonprofits with health and fitness missions, furthering its philanthropic impact beyond the marathon. This spring, the organization announced the recipients of its third B.A.A. Gives Back grant program. Recipient organizations receiving $125,000 grants include Teak client Roxbury Community College and Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, Girls on the Run Greater Boston, and Stride for Stride, among others.
As organizations continue doing the great work they do, nonprofit fundraising and visibility are critical to carry out their missions. The collective impact of the Boston Marathon is massive, raising hundreds of millions of dollars over the years for worthy causes to build healthy communities. We’ll be cheering on the athletes on Monday as they race for good causes.
Credit: Kevin Morris; Runner’s World
