Charities and Organizations | Fleet Feet Sports Chicago

We partner with the best charities and organizations in the Chicago running community. These programs raise money and awareness for some of the leading health and social issues, and along the way they train many runners to get to the finish line of half and full marathons, triathlons and more.

Charity of the Month

This program highlights one charity per month through all our stores and marketing efforts. More information and donations are accepted upon checkout at all Fleet Feet Chicago locations.

January - Big Brothers Big Sisters - Our Mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our Vision is that all youth achieve their full potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago is an affiliate of the oldest, most respected mentoring organization in the US. We are a mission driven, performance based organization that is professionally managed and provides high quality 1:1 mentoring services to almost 2,000 children and their families in Metro Chicago across four counties: Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties in Illinois and Indiana.

February - Black Girls Run! Chicago - The goal of “Black Girls Run” is to encourage and motivate black women to practice a healthy lifestyle. We want to serve as a fitness resource for runners and gym rats alike, as well as provide tips and commentary on staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But we also want to start a movement to encourage ALL women to get off the couch and get active.

March - Girls on the Run Chicago - Girls on the Run offers programs and mentorship designed to give girls the physical and emotional support they need to uncover their value and how they can confidently thrive.

April - Imerman Angels - Our mission is to provide comfort and understanding for all cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers through a personalized, peer-to-peer mentorship program with someone who has been there. For people facing the shock, fear and uncertainties of cancer, Imerman Angels provide a nurturing space to ask questions, laugh, cry and share. Our services are free to anyone seeking support, connection and community.

May - Les Turner ALS Foundation - To provide the most comprehensive care and support to people living with ALS and their families so they can confidently navigate the disease, and advance scientific research for the prevention, treatment and cure of ALS.

June - 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.

July - Special Olympics Chicago - Special Olympics is the world’s largest program for sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, inspiring greatness in more than 5 million athletes in 172 nations worldwide. Because of Special Olympics, the world has witnessed the courage, character, dedication, dignity and worth of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

August - Girl Scouts - Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

September - Ignite the Spirit - Ignite the Spirit is a charity that has been around since 2003 and has helped over 750 families in need. Ignite the Spirit has donated over 2.0 million dollars to ease the hardship of Chicago Fire Department families. We understand what it means to give back to the less fortunate, and to be there for a person in his or her darkest moments. It is never good to see strong, brave people who protect and help the public every day in such despair, often with nowhere to turn. In all that we do for others, we not only respect each other’s privacy, we also respect each other’s pride.

October - Lupus Society of Illinois - LSI promotes lupus awareness and complements the work of health care professionals by providing personalized resources for the lupus community while supporting research.

November - Nourishing Hope - Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic social services organization providing food, mental wellness counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance, to our Chicago neighbors in need. Founded in 1970, we strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

December - Lurie Children's Hospital - We are dedicated to the health and well-being of all children. As a charitable organization, we serve children and their families to the best of our abilities and the limits of our resources.

The following charities are charities that offer guaranteed Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration. Each of these charities also trains through the Chicago Endurance Sports marathon program. Click on a charity to learn more.