Support the Growth of Under-Represented Organizations

Running USA’s Emerging Leaders Program offers support to minority and/or women-owned businesses (or individual) in the running industry.

2025 application window now closed

Running USA’s mission is to strengthen and grow the endurance industry by providing education, advocacy and development resources. Your generous donation helps us provide the programming and research needed to support event organizers, vendors and sponsors large and small. We also work to provide free and reduced cost opportunities to support underrepresented and up and coming leaders in the running business through our Emerging Leaders Program.

Please consider making a financial gift to Running USA, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and know your dollars will be used to support the work we do in the running community.

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Criteria and Guidelines

Before you apply, please review the criteria and guidelines:

  • Grant recipients must be first-time attendees of the Running USA Industry Conference.
  • Company must be a minority-owned or woman-led business in the sport of running. Individuals must be looking to the running industry as a career focus.
  • Applicants may be self-nominated or nominated by a Running USA member.
  • The grant includes a $500 allowance towards a plane ticket to the conference, two nights at the host hotel, and one conference registration. Ground transportation is not included.
  • Recipients may not transfer any portion of their attendance to another person.
  • Recipients will be offered a discounted Running USA membership for $199. This offer will be valid for 90 days from the conference’s conclusion.

If selected, the scholarship recipient agrees to the following:

  • Respond to all communications requests by the Running USA team in a reasonable timeframe.
  • Attend and participate in a scholarship meet and greet at the conference
  • Attend the entire duration of the conference, February 2-4, 2025.
  • Provide Running USA with a summary of lessons learned and takeaways from the event within two weeks of the conference.
  • Agree to be interviewed by Running USA about the experience for at least six months post-conference
  • Post about attendance on social media and work with Running USA’s marketing team to develop content around the experience.

 

Deadline: The deadline to apply for the Emerging Leaders Program for the 2025 conference will be open through September 13, 2024.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are allowed without penalty until the point at which the travel stipend is paid. At this point, the recipient must reimburse Running USA for any cash expenses incurred.

Applications available through Sept. 13

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