Boston Marathon charity places: 27 partners, minimums from $750
27 Boston Marathon charity partners through the John Hancock Non-Profit Program, with minimums from $7,500 to $15,000, the highest fundraising bar of any Major.
How charity places work
The Boston Marathon's John Hancock Non-Profit Program is the highest-bar charity programme in marathon racing, with most minimums sitting between $10,000 and $15,000. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Marathon Challenge is the flagship team, and several local hospital partners (Brigham and Women's Stepping Strong, Boston Children's Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear) run programmes at similar levels. The BAA also approves an invitational program for partners outside the John Hancock roster. Applications for the following April's race typically open in early June, with most teams accepting runners August through November and filling on a rolling basis. Boston's qualifier route, hitting a BQ time plus the annual cutoff seconds, is the alternative for runners who can run the standard. Charity is the path for everyone else.
27 partners listed
Questions about charity places
When do Boston Marathon charity applications open?
Bank of America Official Charity Program member applications for the following year open in early June. Most charity teams accept applications August through November the year before the April race.
What are typical Boston Marathon charity minimums?
The flagship teams start at $10,000, with Dana-Farber at $12,000 for team entry. Most major Boston charity teams cluster in the $7,500 to $10,000 range, the highest of any World Marathon Major.
What if I qualified through BQ but want to run for charity?
Most Boston charity teams offer a reduced minimum for qualifiers with their own bib. Dana-Farber drops from $12,000 to $4,000; Boston Children's from $10,000 to $3,000.
Are Boston charity entries refundable if I miss the fundraising minimum?
No. Most Boston teams hold a credit card on file and charge any shortfall after race day. Registration fees are non-refundable and counted toward the fundraising total.