To promote youth fitness in Chicago, Bank of America has pledged to match funds generated by two of its biggest sponsored running events, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle.
Funding for Four Local Organizations
The money is to be split between four separate youth fitness organizations; ChicagoRun, Girls on the Run, MGR Foundation and Special Children’s Charities/Special Olympics Chicago. Girls on the Run and MGR Foundation will each receive $72,000 in matching donation from the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, and ChicagoRun and the Special Children’s Charities/Special Olympics Chicago will each receive $90,000 as beneficiaries of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
The funds will help to provide extended services, increased coaching staff, and provide better equipment for the 2,700 children who otherwise might not have had access to these services.
Matching Registration Fees
The donation will come from a dollar to dollar match from Bank of America of the fees collected for the events registration. With the Shamrock Shuffle bringing in 36,000 participants and the Chicago Marathon with 45,000 registrants, a two dollar donation from the registration fee from each event will raise $160,000, which Bank of America will match and donate to the charities.
The contribution signifies and ongoing commitment by Bank of America to help support and be involved in local fitness organizations as well as after school programs. Other programs that receive Bank of America support are After School Matters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, By the Hand Club for Kids, Chicago Training Center, Chicago Youth Centers, Girls in the Game, Kids Off the Block, 826CHI, Inc., and Working in the Schools.
