Chicago Marathon’s Fundraising Leap: How $47.1M Will Help the City — and How You Can Still Run in 2026

A record haul and a route to the city’s charities

This year’s Bank of America (BAC) Chicago Marathon shattered its own fundraising mark, drawing in a record $47.1 million for charities linked to the race. Organizers say the total reflects a surge in giving tied to the sold-out 2026 race and to more runners choosing charity entries instead of the lottery or guaranteed entries.

The headline figures matter because the marathon is not just a sporting event; it is a major annual fundraiser for a wide range of local and national causes. The money raised supports neighborhood services, medical research, youth programs and other nonprofits that rely on big events like this to fund operations for the coming year.

How the money got from bibs to beneficiaries

The $47.1 million came from a mix of familiar sources that power marathon charity programs. The main channels were official charity entries — often called charity bibs — plus peer-to-peer fundraising by runners, corporate matches and specially organized team drives. Employers and community groups added significant chunks through matching gifts and team sponsorships.

Organizers distributed the total across a broad portfolio of recipients, supporting local, regional and national organizations. Much of the attention falls on neighborhood nonprofits — food banks, youth athletics and community health clinics — because the marathon brings a concentration of visitors and media to Chicago. But larger national charities that use the race for high-impact fundraising also received substantial support.

There were a few standout efforts this year. Several teams and corporate partners ran large internal campaigns that combined employee giving with company matching. Peer-to-peer fundraisers — individual runners who raised money through personal stories and social campaigning — also pushed totals higher than in past years. Organizers noted that youthful, cause-driven runners are helping widen the donor base, bringing new donors into nonprofit networks through social posts and fundraising pages.

Can’t get a lottery spot? How to win a charity entry for 2026

With the 2026 race sold out, charity bibs are the most direct official route still open to hopeful runners. The steps are straightforward:

• Pick an official charity that is partnered with the marathon. Each charity runs its own program and lists how many bibs it has, the support it provides, and the fundraising commitment required.
• Apply to the charity’s program. Charities typically have an online application or sign-up form and will confirm a runner’s spot if they accept the application.
• Understand the fundraising commitment. Minimums vary widely. Many big-city marathons set charity minimums in the low thousands of dollars, but exact targets depend on the charity and the bib package. Charities often provide coaching, fundraising tools and in-person support to help runners meet their goals.
• Start fundraising early. Charities encourage runners to begin right away with personal appeals, social media, and community events; corporations can also provide matching gifts to accelerate progress.

Charities sometimes close applications once their allotment of bibs is filled, so interested runners should contact charity programs promptly. Even if a charity’s main program is full, race organizers often keep a small number of bibs in reserve for late allocations or special partnerships.

What $47.1 million looks like for Chicago’s economy and nonprofits

The money raised at the marathon has a ripple effect. For charities, large checks mean continuing or expanded services — more meals distributed by food pantries, extended hours at health clinics, or more scholarship and youth programming. For the city, the event boosts hotels, restaurants and shops while bringing thousands of out-of-town visitors who spend over a weekend, often turning a one-day race into multi-day tourism revenue.

Title sponsor Bank of America (BAC) plays a visible role beyond its name on the course. The bank’s sponsorship supports logistics, volunteer coordination and outreach to nonprofit partners, and it helps enable corporate-nonprofit collaborations that multiply fundraising through employee giving and matching programs.

How this year fits into a longer trend — and what to watch for in 2026

Organizers framed the $47.1 million as a milestone that tops previous years and underscores a steady growth in charity fundraising tied to major road races. They interpreted the result as evidence that runners are more motivated to fundraise and that charities have become savvier at recruiting and supporting fundraisers.

Looking ahead to 2026, expect a few continuing trends: charity entry demand will stay strong so long as the race remains sold out; corporate matching and employer-driven teams will keep boosting totals; and charities that offer solid fundraising support and clear impact stories will attract the most runners. For Chicago’s nonprofit scene, the bigger question is how organizations translate one-year windfalls into long-term capacity — turning marathon checks into sustained programs rather than short-term fixes.

For city residents and runners, the takeaway is simple: the Chicago Marathon continues to be a powerful engine for giving, and charity entries remain the clearest official path for anyone who still wants to run the sold-out 2026 race while making a tangible local impact.

Sources

• prnewswire.com