$1.3m in 24 hours – how you can help smash a Boston Marathon fundraising record

Flex your fundraising muscles and prepare to be a #HistoryMaker on March 16, 2022 – you literally have a #MillionReasonsToRun!

GivenGain in partnership with John Hancock (126th Boston Marathon sponsor) and the Boston Athletic Association (marathon organizers), are aiming for an all-time one-day fundraising record for the event, pledging big prizes for donors and fundraisers who help them achieve the feat.

Bryan Lively of GivenGain, the official fundraising partner of the Boston Marathon, says the mid-March challenge aims to raise more than $1.3 million through 126th Boston Marathon fundraisers, donors and the community at large.

“We are calling on all runners, charities and donors to come to the party with fundraising appeals, giving freely and spreading the word about this record-setting philanthropic day.”

The goal

To break the previous record, set as part of the Boston Marathon on Giving Tuesday in 2017, the goal is to raise a minimum of $1,232,764 for charity partners in one day (March 16th).

In 2021, an incredible $27.1 million was raised as part of the historic 125th Boston Marathon through the charity programs of the event organizers and partners as well as participants, who raised more than $12.1m in donations from their personal networks through GivenGain.

The event had an in-person field of 20,000 runners from all 50 US states and 104 countries, while another 22,887 joined virtually over the marathon weekend, making this a true collective effort to support non-profits after their income nose-dived during the coronavirus pandemic.

“After two years of very challenging conditions for charities, we’re expecting thousands of fundraisers to outdo themselves while rallying behind a great cause or causes of their choosing this year,” Lively says.

“Reach out to your networks far and wide – it will all help to turn the corner for a cause that needs it.”

The event partners and organizers have pledged some awesome prizes for top fundraisers and randomly selected winners.

John Hancock has pledged $10,000 to be divided among the top 3 fundraisers:

–       First place: $3,000 matching donation

–       Second place: $2,000 matching donation

–       Third place: $1,000 matching donation

In addition, eight randomly selected fundraisers who raise at least $1,000 will win $500 each.

In the B.A.A./GivenGain pledge, fundraisers raising at least $2,500 will enter a draw to win a Boston Travel Package consisting of:

–       A $500 JetBlue gift card

–       A $500 Marriott Hotels & Resorts gift card

–       A $500 Amex Gift Card

In addition, any fundraiser who raises more than $2,500 will get a History Maker tee.

To participate in the #MillionDollarChallenge, fundraisers must register as a fundraiser on https://www.givengain.com/ or log in and start a new project on https://www.givengain.com/ad/projects/ or donate to any one of the amazing charities at

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