Charity - Boston Athletic Association
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Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program

Charity

Through the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program, the B.A.A. provides invitational entries to the Boston Marathon to select non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations use these entries to recruit athletes who pledge to raise funds for their cause. For selection into the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program, the B.A.A. greatly values organizations that focus on building healthy communities.

Explore 2026 Charities

Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charities

The Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program provides invitational entries to the Boston Marathon to select non-profit organizations who then recruit athletes who pledge to raise funds for their cause.

Give Now

Support the Boston Athletic Association

Your support will strengthen the B.A.A.'s community initiatives while also providing essential support to expand access to our sport in the cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route and beyond.

B.A.A. Gives Back Grants

Grants and Recipients

The B.A.A. awards monetary grants to organizations that advance the B.A.A.'s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running, in order to build healthy communities.

Fundraise for the B.A.A.

B.A.A. Gives Back Marathon Team

The B.A.A. Gives Back Marathon Team unites athletes who raise funds to support the B.A.A.'s mission.

$600mm+

Funds raised since the Official Charity Program's inception in 1989.

194

Members of the 2026 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program

$50.4MM

Total raised as part of the 2025 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program

Impact

The Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program is important to our many communities, and funds raised by participants can help to broaden the awareness of a non-profit’s work and impact. The charity program provides additional access points to running the Boston Marathon, often for new participants.

 

History

Stylianos Kyriakides, the 1946 Boston Marathon champion, is largely regarded as the first fundraising runner in race history. En route to his win, Kyriakides raised awareness and funds for residents of Greece facing hunger and challenges at home.

The Official Charity Program was first established in 1989, starting with the American Liver Foundation. Now nearly 200 organizations are part of the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program annually.

Boston 5K, 10K, and Half

Our Fundraising Partners

Xtra Mile Team

Special Olympics Massachusetts

Special Olympics Massachusetts is the Exclusive Fundraising Partner of the Boston 5K.

Team Brigham

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Brigham and Women's Hospital is the presenting sponsor and exclusive fundraising partner of the B.A.A. 10K.

Team Dana-Farber

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund are the Presenting Sponsors and Exclusive Charity Team of the Boston Half.