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Our Charities

The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend is pleased to partner with many wonderful and worthwhile programs that support local initiatives and benefit people from right here in the Philadelphia Region, nationally and around the world. To learn more about becoming a part of our charity program, contact [email protected] for additional information.

Additionally, the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend partners with its fiscal agent, the Philadelphia City Fund, to allocate a portion of its revenue for grantmaking to support the Philadelphia community each year. Through its Community Fund, PCF invests those proceeds in charitable projects that improve the quality of life for our residents. Learn more about grant opportunities through PCF’s Community Fund.

2024 Official Charity

(Title Partner) American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer.

With a fundraising goal of $600,000, you’re invited to join and/or support the AACR Runners for Research team during the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend. These funds will directly support the AACR’s mission to prevent and cure cancer through: Research, Education, Communication, Collaboration, Science Policy and Advocacy, and Funding for Cancer Research.

Become part of a community that puts more meaning in their miles by raising funds for lifesaving cancer research and receive various race weekend perks!

Charity Affiliate Program

The goal of this program is to assist charitable organizations’ fundraising efforts by providing guaranteed race entries to one of the nation’s top 10 and most anticipated races.

In return for providing discounted entries, charities must secure athletes through their organization’s marketing efforts and networks to reach those individuals or teams interested in running to support for your special cause.

Prospective charities must fit into one or more of the Philadelphia Weekend Marathon’s core initiatives and possess a valid 501 (c)(3) documentation.

Learn more

Achilles International
Achilles’ mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, promote personal achievement, enhance self-esteem, and lower barriers to living a fulfilling life.

The Philadelphia chapter promotes volunteerism within the community by pairing athletes with disabilities with guides that can help them train for and participate in races such as the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend.

Contact: Natalie Tine / 215-761-1431
Website: www.phillyachilles.com

The Alzheimer's Association (Delaware Valley Chapter)
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementias by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association serves the greater Philadelphia area, the Lehigh Valley, Southern New Jersey, and the full state of Delaware.

Contact: Catherine McCarthy / 908-217-8309
Website: www.alz.org/delval

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) is the leading national nonprofit working to improve the quality of life of people affected by frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and to drive research to bring hope for a world with compassionate care, effective support, and a future free of this disease.

Contact: Jillian Magee / 484-584-0162
Website: www.theaftd.org

B Inspired Philadelphia
B Inspired Philadelphia provides after-school programming to Philadelphia’s most under-resourced schools and offers a free enrichment summer camp through our partner, Heights Philadelphia.

Philadelphia school district students learn important skills and tools to be champions of their own well-being through innovative programs like fitness, finance, leadership and cooking. Students also enjoy cultural programming through B Inspired partnerships with institutes like Barnes Foundation, Mighty Writers and The Sk8board Academy.

Contact: Schuyler Nunn / 215-290-4188
Website: www.binspiredphiladelphia.org

Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund Inc. (Emily's Entourage)
Emily’s Entourage speeds lifesaving research and drug development for individuals in the final 10% of the cystic fibrosis (CF) community that do not benefit from currently available mutation-targeted therapies, including those with nonsense mutations of CF.

Contact: Laura DiTrapano / 267-261-0707
Website: www.emilysentourage.org

Girls on the Run Philadelphia
Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a transformational physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd–8th grade. GOTR teaches life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K running event.

Since its inception in 2012, GOTR has served over 5,000 girls in Philadelphia, primarily under-resourced.

Contact: Colleen Howard / 202-321-9100
Website: www.gotrphiladelphia.org

Guardian Revival

Guardian Revival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization focused on preventing veteran & first responder suicide. Suicide rates among our veterans and first responders are disturbingly high: more than 20 veterans die by suicide each day in the U.S., and more first responders die by suicide than in the line of duty every year.

Contact: Christina D'Anjolell / 845-617-6421
Website: www.guardianrevival.org

National Brain Tumor Society

National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes, and unites the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and caregivers. Our Gray Nation Endurance®️ official charity team will dedicate their training and fundraising to support the NBTS mission while putting meaning behind their miles to fuel a new era of progress toward a cure.

Contact: Nikki Margeson, Director of Gray Nation Endurance / 617-237-1744
Website: www.braintumor.org

Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation provides essential resources for people living with Parkinson's disease in Philadelphia and across the country. Our Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness while competing in some of the world’s most popular endurance events. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. 

Contact: Champions Staff / 763-317-1308
Website:  www.Run4PD.org 

The Petey Greene Program

Founded in 2008, the Petey Greene Program supports the academic goals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through high-quality volunteer tutoring programs, while educating volunteers on the injustice manifest in our carceral system and encouraging them to engage in justice-oriented activism to reimagine the criminal legal system. We operate the largest multi-state volunteer tutoring program (several sites in Philadelphia) for currently and formerly incarcerated people. 

Contact: Meg Tavares, Development and Operations Coordinator / 215-932-5045
Website: www.peteygreene.org

Philadelphia Youth Basketball
Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB) is a community-built youth empowerment organization that leverages the iconic game of basketball to help today's urban youth overcome the most urgent and systemic issues facing underserved communities.

PYB has proudly served over 5,000 young people since 2015.

Contact: Julia Silvasy / 215-205-8827
Website: www.phillyyouthbasketball.org

Starfinder Foundation
Starfinder is a sports-based youth development organization using soccer to inspire social change and transform the lives of youth from underserved neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

Through soccer, mentoring, and an environment that challenges and supports, Starfinder helps youth cultivate their athletic, creative, and academic talents and chart a pathway to a bright future.

Contact: Zane Schultz / 321-427-9695
Website: www.starfinderfoundation.org

Students Run Philly Style

Students Run Philly Style transforms students’ lives through running and mentorship. We pair volunteer mentors with teams of students to inspire them to push themselves further than they ever imagined. Their goal: the completion of a full or a half marathon. The courage and effort required, the unfailing support of a caring mentor and the thrill of its ultimate achievement results in a student who knows anything is possible.

Contact: Danny Burke / 708-254-1505
Website: www.studentsrunphilly.org

WeRunWithYou

WeRunWithYou is an organization on a mission to improve the lives of people suffering from brain injury and disease by funding research to improve patient outcomes, raising awareness, and providing support for survivors and their families. We utilize our love for running and endurance sport to fuel this mission.

Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.werunwithyou.org