Our Charities
The Philadelphia Marathon 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.
2021 Official Charity
(Title Partner) American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Join the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Runners for Research team! Make This Run Matter! The AACR is the first and largest cancer research organization in the world and has been behind every cancer breakthrough for more than 110 years.
Without research, there are no treatments or cures for patients, and with more than 37,000 members worldwide, the AACR brings together the greatest minds in cancer science to defeat ALL types of cancer.
By joining the AACR Runners for Research team, you can be a part of the largest cancer research run in the U.S., help raise critical funds to further cancer research, and receive great benefits, including race registration reimbursement up to $105. Every step you take through Philadelphia is a step towards a cure.
Of every dollar donated, 88 cents goes to support lifesaving cancer research.
Learn more about AACR Runners for Research benefits
2020 Affiliate Charities
Achilles International, Philadelphia Chapter
We enable athletes with disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics.
Contact: Natalie Tine / 215-761-1431
Website: www.phillyachilles.com
ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter
The mission of The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.
Contact: Taylor Montgomery
Website: www.alsphiladelphia.org
Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) is a national nonprofit working to improve the quality of life of people affected by Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) and drive research for a cure. FTD is the most common dementia for people under 60. Currently, there are no treatments and there is no cure.
Contact: Bridget Graham
Website: www.theaftd.org
Back on My Feet
Back on My Feet, a national organization operating in 12 major cities coast to coast, combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources.
Contact: Marikate Taylor
Website: www.backonmyfeet.org
Bike & Build
Through service-oriented cycling trips, Bike & Build benefits affordable housing and empowers young adults for a lifetime of service and civic engagement. We envision future generations who are committed to a lifetime of civic engagement and who inspire individuals and communities to create fair, decent housing for all.
Contact: Lauren Hamilton, Associate Director of Outreach and Communications / 267-331-8488
Website: www.bikeandbuild.org
The Children’s Heart Foundation (Michigan Region)
We are a group of volunteers that formed in 2010 to support The Children's Heart Foundation's mission of funding the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects (CHDs).
Contact: Don Mayack / 248-252-6639
Website: www.childrensheartfoundation.org
Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF)
The mission of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by bile duct cancer. CCF provides patient education and advocacy, funds research, and hosts two annual international conferences for patients and healthcare professionals.
Contact: Meredith Mcguffage / 888-936-6731, x12
Website: www.TeamCCF.org
Community Partnership School
Community Partnership School is now in its 13th year of providing a high quality and affordable early childhood and elementary school alternative in Philadelphia.
Contact: Katie Lieberman
Website: www.cpsphilly.org
DetermiNation – The American Cancer Society
DetermiNation is an endurance training program that empowers people to find their extraordinary and complete an endurance race while raising funds to help save lives threatened by every cancer in every community. With access to professional training, an unparalleled community of support, and inspiration every step of the way, DetermiNation will help you cross the finish line of your race.
Contact: Michael Brady / 215-985-5364
Website: determination.acsevents.org
Emily’s Entourage
Emily’s Entourage accelerates research and drug development for nonsense mutations of Cystic Fibrosis. By providing critical leadership and coordination, Emily’s Entourage drives high-impact research, cultivates multi-stakeholder collaboration, and facilitates information exchange to speed breakthroughs. Our goal is singular: to expedite life-saving treatments and a cure for those with nonsense mutations of CF who are waiting with bated and fading breath.
Contact: Angela Marks
Website: www.emilysentourage.org
The Emily Whitehead Foundation
The Emily Whitehead Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to raising funds to invest in the most promising pediatric cancer research, providing support to pediatric cancer patients, and promoting awareness through education and sharing inspiring stories.
Contact: Jodie Potter
Website: www.emilywhiteheadfoundation.org
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. We teach life skills through interactive lessons and running games, culminating with a celebratory 5K. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.
Contact: Colleen Howard
Website: www.gotrphiladelphia.org / 215-247-8598
IM ABLE
The mission of the IM ABLE Foundation is to remove obstacles that prevent people affected by disabilities from being physically active by providing grants, resources, fitness opportunities and motivation. We change attitudes about the potential of disabled individuals by redefining what is possible.
Contact: Kelly Haldeman / 610-914-5515
Website: www.imablefoundation.org
Komera
In Rwanda, “Komera” means "be strong, have courage."
Komera develops self-confident young women through education, community development, and sport.
At Komera, we believe women are strong, powerful and full of potential. We use a holistic approach to development composed of three pillars, designed to provide opportunities for women to unleash their potential!
Contact: Lauren Mason, Director of Partnerships / 610-914-5515
Website: www.komera.org
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Multiple Sclerosis involves an immune mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system. The Society's mission is to ensure people affected by MS can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever.
Contact: Jennifer Revell / 212-453-3254
Website: www.FinishMS.com
Parkinson’s Foundation
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience, and passion of our global Parkinson’s community.
Contact: Lauren Ullrich / 646-388-7635
Website: www.parkinson.org
Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia Program
Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through work in health, education, community building and sports, Special Olympics is addressing inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities.
Contact: Kristin Craven / 610-630-9450 x252
Website: www.sopaphilly.org
Start Giving Local
At Start Giving Local, we are dedicated to improving community wellness. Our inclusive training & development programs help reduce economic stratification, foster career development, support local business, encourage entrepreneurship, & increase opportunity for underrepresented community members.
Contact: Kelly O'Connell / 415-857-0193
Website: www.startgivinglocal.org
Students Run Philly
Serving 1,200 youth annually, the Students Run Philly Style mentoring model pairs youth grades 6-12 with volunteer mentors; they train alongside each other as they prepare for a full or half marathon. The result is youth who believe anything is possible.
Contact: Danny Burke / 267-730-3456
Website: www.studentsrunphilly.org