Charity Program
Charity running has become an integral part of the Life Time Chicago Half Marathon & 5K presented by HOKA, and we want to continue supporting your programs and the causes they focus on improving. Training for a half marathon is a challenge, and finding the right motivation is a great way to keep it fun and help athletes stay committed.
2024 Charity Partners
The Life Time Foundation is dedicated to inspiring Healthy People, a Healthy Planet, and a Healthy Way of Life. Through financial grants and direct action, we support Youth Nutrition by helping schools serve wholesome, nourishing, minimally processed food to students; Youth Movement by championing physical movement programs that get children active and excited to move for life; and a Healthy Planet by supporting forestation and conservation initiatives, so everyone can live healthy, happy lives.
By raising as a Foundation Athlete, athletes are athletes are guaranteed race entry, receive top-class performance gear, and become part of an incredible, mission-driven community.
American Brain Tumor Association
The mission of the American Brain Tumor Association is to advance the understanding and treatment of brain tumors with the goals of improving, extending and, ultimately, saving the lives of those impacted by a brain tumor diagnosis.
We do this through interactions and engagements with brain tumor patients and their families, collaborations with allied groups and organizations, and the funding of brain tumor research.
Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
At Lurie Children’s we understand that caring for kids takes more than medicine. From diagnosis through treatment, it requires compassion and understanding that kids do best when they get to be kids.
With a team of world-renowned pediatric experts and kid-friendly care, over 239,000 patients are seen on an annual basis.
Beat the Streets Chicago
We empower Chicago youth through wrestling.
We combine year-round wrestling programs with customized enrichment opportunities so that children can become their best selves. Mentoring, tutoring, workshops and positive relationships combined with the unique power of wrestling changes lives.
We welcome youth aged 5 through 23, whether they are looking for fun, physical literacy and wellness or something much deeper and impactful. As the largest wrestling organization in Illinois, we reach over 2,500 young people each year through wrestling and enrichment programs at six primary sites and twenty CPS partner sites.
Big Shoulders Fund
Big Shoulders Fund provides support to schools with demonstrated need which provide a quality, values-based education for Chicago’s children.
Big Shoulders Fund is unique in that our administrative expenses are supported by an endowment and other income. One hundred percent of funds currently raised support four major areas – scholarships and enrichment, operational improvements, academic programs, and leadership development – with the goal of not just strengthening schools, but whole communities, and preparing students for life-long success.
Camp One Step
Camp One Step by Children’s Oncology Services is a leader in providing empowering, supportive, educational and fun experiences for children (ages birth -19) who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families. We are the only local organization to offer 10 free in-person camps, as well as our CONNECTED digital programs, throughout the year serving pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
Thanks to over 400 annual volunteers, including medical professionals, children who are in different stages of treatment have the ability to attend our Camp One Step camps and digital programs. In over 40 years, our organization has served more than 19,000 campers.
Chicago Abortion Fund
The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) is Illinois’ statewide abortion fund that provides financial, logistical, and emotional support to people seeking abortion services in Illinois, across the Midwest, and beyond. In 2023, CAF fielded over 12,000 support requests from people based in over 40 states – and the organization was able to offer support to every person that they reached.
CAF also works to build collective power and foster partnerships for political and cultural change. CAF envisions a world where everyone has the freedom and autonomy to create lives, families, and communities that are healthy, safe, and thriving and where the full range of reproductive choices, including abortion, are accessible and affirmed.
Cure SMA
Cure SMA leads the way to a world where everyone impacted by spinal muscular atrophy is empowered to lead independent, successful, and fulfilling lives. Our powerful progress includes:
- Three approved treatments for SMA
- Newborn screening across 100% of the U.S.
- More clinical trials happening than ever before
However, our work is not over, and we need your support.
Esperanza Health Centers
In 2004, residents of the neighborhoods of Pilsen and Little Village on Chicago’s Southwest Side joined administrators from nearby Saint Anthony Hospital to address the critical lack of accessible health services in the area. They opened a community health center on South California Avenue called Esperanza, the Spanish word for “hope.”
Since then, Esperanza has provided bilingual, high quality primary care, behavioral health and wellness services to the community, regardless of immigration status, insurance status, or ability to pay. Our five sites in Brighton Park, Little Village, Marquette Park, South Lawndale and West Lawn deliver care to more than 50,000 patients each year from communities across the Southwest Side.
Our commitment to offering care of the highest quality is made clear by our designation as a National Quality Leader by HRSA in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020, which ranks Esperanza among the top 3% of health centers in the nation and the top two in Illinois for our quality of care.
Fellowship Housing
Fellowship Housing is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the needs of single mothers and their children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Fellowship Housing exists to empower single mothers to build a new legacy and accomplish this mission by providing two years of affordable housing, intensive financial literacy training, and educational opportunities to guide families from crisis to long-tern stability and independence.
Forging Youth Resilience
Forging Youth Resilience (FYR) is a member-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Local Clubs in cities across the country. FYR empowers young people to build physical and mental strength for life by providing access to a network of community-based fitness programs, nutrition education and mentorship.
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and NW Indiana
Our mission sounds simple, but it ultimately changes lives by building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Girls in the Game
At Girls in the Game, every girl finds her voice, discovers her strength and builds confidence through fun and active sports, health and leadership programs. We provide programs from elementary school through high school to girls across Chicago, Bloomington, and Baltimore.
Holy Name Cathedral Ministries
Holy Name Cathedral presents the Faith & Fitness ministry, a program to educate the faith community about the importance and responsibility of good stewardship of our body and physical health. Practicing fortitude as an everyday lifestyle is where faith and fitness intersects.
LUNGevity Foundation
LUNGevity Foundation is firmly committed to making an immediate impact on increasing quality of life and survivorship of all people diagnosed with lung cancer by accelerating research into early detection and more effective treatments, as well as providing community, support, and education for all those affected by the disease.
National Kidney Foundation of IL
The NKFI supports patients who have been newly diagnosed with kidney disease, their families, and health professionals across the state of Illinois. We offer a free kidney camp for children living with kidney disease; host one of the only family programs for families with children diagnosed with kidney disease; run regular community health seminars in English and Spanish; offer free kidney health screenings; and coordinate ongoing professional education.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition®’s ‘NOCC TEAM TEAL’ is calling all endurance athletes across the country to help us make great strides in the fight against ovarian cancer. Join our team, #NOCCTeamTeal, to create national awareness and fund programs designed to support women and their families touched by the disease. Put your passion into action. Join NOCC in the fight against ovarian cancer.
When you participate in a fundraising event, your efforts will make an impact on the lives of women, families, and communities touched by ovarian cancer … and move us closer to finding a cure.
Palestine Children's Relief Fund
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), founded in 1991 by concerned humanitarians in the USA, provides free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children yearly who lack local access to care within the local health care system. Over the years, we’ve sent over 2,000 affected children abroad for free medical care, sent thousands of international doctors and nurses to provide tens of thousands of children free medical care in local hospitals, and provided tens of thousands of children humanitarian aid and support they otherwise would not get.
Our “Gaza Relief and Recovery” campaign aims to address urgent humanitarian needs and support long-term recovery efforts in Gaza. The funds raised will primarily focus on immediate relief, including providing essential medical supplies, food, medical treatment, clean water, and other necessities for families affected by the conflict.
Parkinson's Foundation
Parkinson’s Champions are racing toward a cure! Our Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation 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.
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease 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. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $400 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Learn all about the work of the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org.
Project Purple
Project Purple is a 501c3 that focused on improving the lives of those battling pancreatic cancer and their families through hope, support, and compassion. Project Purple offers patients battling patients financial support and funds research for early detection. Project Purple’s mission is a world without pancreatic cancer.
Tapestry 360 Health
Previously known as Heartland Health Centers, Tapestry 360 Health is a federally qualified health center with 16 locations serving Chicago’s north side and Skokie. Providing over 29,000 patients with a medical home, Tapestry 360 Health offers affordable and comprehensive primary care, oral health care, and behavioral health care services.
As a medical home, Tapestry 360 Health ensures comprehensive, affordable, quality, safe, and coordinated health care that is culturally competent and oriented to addressing all the health care needs of each patient. We’re always accepting new patients.
Individuals interested in becoming patients are encouraged to visit our website to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment by calling: 773-751-7800
Team Anti-Cruelty
Welcome to Team Anti-Cruelty! You’re joining a pack of pet-loving athletes who go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of homeless and neglected animals. We are extremely grateful for your heartwarming commitment to run on behalf of the 20,000 animals that we care for each year. Because of your dedication, The Anti-Cruelty Society is able to provide compassionate care for any animal in need. You will make an immediate and a significant difference to all of them – thank you!
TEAM TO END AIDS (T2)
TEAM TO END AIDS (T2)’s mission is to improve the lives of those who are living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, by raising critical funds to support the programs of AIDS Foundation Chicago. Through endurance sports, T2 raises awareness, reduces stigma, empowers participants and encourages action to create health equity across Chicagoland.