Charity directory
Quick facts
Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity places: 26 partners, minimums from $2,100
Every year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon hosts thousands of runners who choose to make their Chicago Marathon experience more meaningful by running on behalf of a charity.
Partners
26
In this directory
Min range
$2,100
To $4,000 high end
Open now
3
Currently accepting applications
Typical window
Charity program entries are available on a first-come first-served basis until Tuesday, September 15, 2026, or when the charity has reached its capacity, whichever comes first.
Overview
How charity places work
Individuals who are interested in running and fundraising on behalf of an official event charity can guarantee their spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Each charity manages its own unique charity team, participant benefits and fundraising requirements. While fundraising requirements may vary from charity to charity, participants are required to raise no less than $2,200 (USD). Only charities that are part of the official Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program have access to guaranteed entries.
Directory
26 partners listed
PC
PAWS Chicago
Animals
○ Status unknown
Terms checked 2026-05-27
Edition and current availability have not been verified.
Team PAWS Chicago supports Chicago's largest no-kill shelter. Runs the standard Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity minimum of $2,200 (pre-drawing) per official program rules.
$2,200
Min raise
IA
Imerman Angels
Cancer
● Applications open
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Guaranteed charity entries require a minimum of $2,500. Imerman Angels covers the marathon entry fee (approximately $250). There is a team fee of $50 (reducible to $25 with code Chicago25). Runners with own entry commit to $500.
$2,500
Min raise
LL
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Team In Training)
Cancer · Health
○ Status unknown
Terms checked 2026-05-27
Edition and current availability have not been verified.
Team In Training Chicago Marathon commitment is $2,100 for runners who sign the fundraising agreement by January 22 and complete race registration by February 5. 2026 entries sold out.
$2,100
Min raise
AR
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Children · Health
× Closed
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Team Lurie Children's is full for the 2026 marathon. Specific 2026 fundraising minimum tiers and fees are not stated in the source (FAQ details reference 2025 deadlines). Runners must pay the runner fee to the Chicago Marathon directly.
Not published
Min raise
AA
Alzheimer's Association (ALZ Stars)
Health · Seniors
○ Status unknown
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Guaranteed charity entry fundraising minimum is $2,600, due October 1, 2026. A separate race registration fee is required and paid directly to BoACM (amount not specified). Runners with own entry commit to $500.
$2,600
Min raise
TB
Team Boomer (Boomer Esiason Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis)
Health · Children
○ Waitlist
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Event is sold out; waitlist form is available. Fundraising minimum is tiered: $2,200 before the lottery drawing and $2,600 after the lottery drawing. Registration fee is not specified.
Not published
Min raise
SJ
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (St. Jude Heroes)
Children · Cancer
○ Status unknown
Terms checked 2026-05-27
Edition and current availability have not been verified.
St. Jude Heroes pre-drawing fundraising minimum is $2,200. Runners who register after the marathon drawing must raise $3,000. Funds support childhood cancer treatment and research at St. Jude.
$2,200
Min raise
RM
Ronald McDonald House Charities Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana
Children · Health
● Applications open
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Registration is open. The fundraising commitment for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is $2,200. Marathon registration fee is not stated.
$2,200
Min raise
CP
Chicago Parks Foundation (Team ChiParks)
Environment · Other
○ Status unknown
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Team ChiParks charity runners receive free guaranteed entry (registration fees covered) with a $2,200 USD standard fundraising minimum. Registration opens 10/21/2025.
$2,200
Min raise
TA
The Anti-Cruelty Society (Team Anti-Cruelty)
Animals
● Applications open
2027 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Applications are for the 2027 race edition. Charity runners commit to a minimum of $2,500. Runners who already have a lottery entry have no fundraising minimum required.
$2,500
Min raise
MH
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls (Mercy Home Heroes)
Children · Housing
○ Waitlist
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
2026 team is full; runners may apply to the waitlist or register as self-secured. Pre-lottery minimum is $2,200; post-lottery commitment is $2,500. Includes paid guaranteed entry while supplies last. Self-secured runners have a $750 minimum.
Not published
Min raise
1C
100 Club of Illinois
Military and veterans · Other
○ Status unknown
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Fundraising commitment for runners without guaranteed entry is $2,500 (due October 4, 2026). Runners with guaranteed entry commit to $800. Race registration fee is refunded when raising $250 over the fundraising minimum, but the upfront fee amount is not stated.
$2,500
Min raise
AH
Advocate Health Care (Inspired to Run)
Health
○ Status unknown
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Charity entry fundraising minimum is $2,200, due by September 11, 2026. Advocate covers the registration fee ($250 for US residents, $260 for non-US residents). Runners with own entry have no required minimum.
$2,200
Min raise
TH
Team Hoyt
Disability
× Closed
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Applications are closed for 2026. For runners needing an entry/bib, commitment is $4,000 USD plus a $100 team fee (which applies to fundraising) and a $225 race entry fee paid to Chicago Marathon. Runners with own bib commit to $1,250 USD plus $100 team fee.
$4,000
Min raise
AF
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Mental health
○ Status unknown
Terms checked 2026-05-27
Edition and current availability have not been verified.
AFSP Chicago Marathon team fundraises for suicide prevention research, advocacy, and survivor support. Runs the standard Bank of America Chicago Marathon $2,200 charity minimum per official program rules.
$2,200
Min raise
CO
Camp One Step (Team One Step, Children's Oncology Services)
Children · Cancer
○ Waitlist
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
2026 entries are sold out, but runners can join the waitlist. Fundraising commitment is tiered: $1,500 pre-marathon entry drawing and $2,100 post-marathon entry drawing. Participants are responsible for registering for the race itself; entry fee amount is not specified.
Not published
Min raise
GO
Girls on the Run Chicago (SoleMates)
Children · Other
○ Waitlist
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
The 2026 team is full, but waitlist is open. Fundraising minimum and registration fees are not stated in the source text.
Not published
Min raise
GS
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
Children
○ Status unknown
Terms checked 2026-05-27
Edition and current availability have not been verified.
Fundraising minimum is $2,200, due October 2026. $245 race registration fee is refunded once the fundraising goal is met. 2026 team is full; 2027 applications open in November.
$2,200
Min raise
AS
After School Matters (Team ASM)
Children
○ Status unknown
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Guaranteed charity bib terms and specific fundraising minimums are not detailed in the page text. Runners are directed to complete an interest form.
Not published
Min raise
CH
Chicago HOPES for Kids
Children · Housing
× Closed
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Registration for the 2026 team is closed (wait list inquiry via contact). Charity runner fundraising minimum is $2,200. Upfront marathon registration fee amount is not specified, but is reimbursed once the fundraising minimum is met.
$2,200
Min raise
AS
A Safe Haven Foundation
Homelessness · Housing
○ Status unknown
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Tiered fundraising minimum: $2,500 if secured before November 18, 2025; $3,000 thereafter. Race registration fee is not stated.
Not published
Min raise
GL
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (Team GLASA)
Disability · Health
○ Waitlist
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2026 is waitlist only. Application includes a $25 donation fee. GLASA covers the marathon registration fee (valued $245+). Minimum fundraising is tiered: $2,200 during drawing period (opens October 21 and closes November 18) and through December 31; increases to $2,500 after December 31 ($750+ for existing entry runners).
Not published
Min raise
LC
La Casa Norte (Team La Casa Norte)
Homelessness · Housing
○ Waitlist
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
No longer accepting non-guaranteed entry participants for 2026; waitlist available. The post-lottery fundraising minimum is $2,100 due by December 29, 2026. Runner covers registration costs upfront but can get refunded upon meeting the fundraising goal; upfront amount not published.
$2,100
Min raise
BI
Brain Injury Recovery Foundation
Health · Disability
○ Status unknown
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
Fundraising minimum is tiered: $2,250 if registering before the lottery drawing or if entry gained through lottery/legacy/time qualifier, and $2,500 post-lottery (after November 30th). Participants are required to pay the race registration fee separately (amount not specified).
Not published
Min raise
AL
American Liver Foundation (Liver Life Challenge)
Health
○ Status unknown
Terms checked 2026-05-27
Edition and current availability have not been verified.
Charity bib runners commit to $2,500 fundraising plus pay the Chicago Marathon race registration fee directly. Runners with their own marathon entry have a reduced $1,000 minimum. Funds support liver disease research, education and advocacy.
$2,500
Min raise
SC
Special Children's Charities (Special Olympics Chicago)
Disability · Children
○ Waitlist
2026 edition. Terms checked 2026-09-22
The 2026 team is full, but waitlist applications are open. Registration fee is covered by Special Children's Charities. Fundraising minimum amount is not specified in the source.
Not published
Min raise
FAQ
Questions about charity places
What is the minimum fundraising requirement for charity participants?
While fundraising requirements may vary from charity to charity, participants are required to raise no less than $2,200 (USD).
How can an individual runner participate in the charity program?
If you are interested in running for charity you should contact the charity of your choice via the Charity Index.
Can runners who already have an entry fundraise for charity?
If you have an entry into the event and wish to fundraise for an organization or charity of your choice you may do so through haku, the preferred fundraising platform of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
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