How the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program Works

Updated

The Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program is the B.A.A.'s route for turning marathon entries into fundraising: the B.A.A. grants entries to selected nonprofits, and those nonprofits recruit runners who commit to raising money for causes tied to healthier communities. It is the option to look at if you want to run Boston without relying solely on a qualifying time, and if you are willing to fundraise on behalf of an approved charity. Details such as individual fundraising minimums, deadlines, and entry counts are set by each charity, not published on the B.A.A. homepage, so the charity itself is the source for those numbers.

The basic structure

The program works as a three-part arrangement:

  • The B.A.A. grants entries to nonprofits accepted into the Official Charity Program.
  • The nonprofit recruits runners who will run the Boston Marathon on its behalf.
  • The runner fundraises for that cause, which the B.A.A. describes as building healthier communities.

So the entry does not come from the B.A.A. directly to you. It comes through the charity, which is why your first step is choosing a charity rather than submitting a marathon entry.

How to pursue a charity entry

  1. Go to the Official Charity Program section on baa.org. The homepage links to an "EXPLORE CHARITIES" entry point under the Official Charity Program heading.
  2. Review the announced charity programs. The site notes "2027 Charity Programs Announced," so the current cycle's participating nonprofits are listed there.
  3. Pick a cause and contact that charity directly. Each nonprofit runs its own recruitment, so ask it about:
    • Whether it still has entries available
    • Its fundraising minimum and deadline
    • Whether you must cover race costs separately
    • Any application or interview step
  4. Complete the charity's process and register. Once the charity accepts you, it provides the entry path into the marathon.

The B.A.A. page confirms the program exists and points you to the charity list; it does not publish per-charity fundraising amounts, so treat any figure you see elsewhere as charity-specific until that charity confirms it.

What to check before committing

Question Where the answer comes from
Which nonprofits have entries? Official Charity Program list on baa.org
How much must I raise? The individual charity
What is the fundraising deadline? The individual charity
Does the entry cover my race fee? The individual charity
Is the program open for the next race? "2027 Charity Programs Announced" notice on baa.org

Common sticking points

  • Assuming the B.A.A. assigns you a charity. It does not; you apply to and are selected by a nonprofit.
  • Assuming a charity entry removes all requirements. You still run the marathon and still meet the charity's fundraising commitment.
  • Waiting until the charity list is stale. Program announcements are tied to a specific race year, so confirm the cycle matches the marathon you want.
  • Treating the homepage as the full rulebook. Fundraising terms live with the charities, not on the B.A.A. site.

Where this fits among B.A.A. races

The charity program is specific to the Boston Marathon. The B.A.A. also organizes other events, including the Boston 5K, the B.A.A. 10K, and the Boston Half, which are listed separately under "The Races." If your goal is a B.A.A. event rather than the marathon specifically, check those pages before committing to a fundraising obligation.