The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has set a historic milestone, raising an unprecedented $47.1 million for nonprofit organizations in 2025. The announcement, made on December 11, confirms this year’s race as the biggest fundraising event in the marathon’s history, surpassing last year’s record by more than $11 million.
This remarkable achievement reinforces Chicago’s position as one of the world’s most impactful marathon charity hubs, demonstrating how athletic commitment continues to fuel large-scale philanthropy.
Chicago Marathon Charity Program Breaks Its Own Record
The Chicago Marathon Charity Program has grown significantly since its launch in 2002. In 2025, more than 10,000 charity runners participated, each committing to raise dedicated funds for a chosen organization. These participants contributed to the record-breaking total, with more than 200 partner charities benefiting from the generosity of runners and donors.
The increase from the previous record of $36 million in 2024 reflects a surge in national and global support. Organizers credit strong community engagement, heightened digital fundraising tools, and increased corporate involvement for this year’s exceptional results.
How Runners Turn Miles Into Millions
Each charity runner in the program typically pledges a minimum fundraising goal of $2,200, supporting causes in healthcare, youth empowerment, cancer research, homelessness prevention, and global relief programs.
Major nonprofit teams like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Project Purple contributed heavily to the fundraising total, with some teams surpassing $1 million independently. The marathon’s model—pairing athletic achievement with humanitarian support—helps create consistent, scalable impact across the nonprofit ecosystem.
A Fast-Accelerating Fundraising Legacy
| Year | Amount Raised | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47.1M | Biggest total ever |
| 2024 | $36M | Previous record |
| 2023 | $30.4M | Highest before 2024 |
| Since 2002 | $358M+ | Lifetime charitable impact |
Across more than two decades, the event has generated hundreds of millions in charitable funding—money that directly strengthens community programs throughout Chicago and far beyond.
Corporate Sponsors and Runners Push the Momentum Forward
The Bank of America’s continued sponsorship plays a major role in expanding the marathon’s charitable reach. Improved fundraising platforms such as RunSignUp have also helped participants tap into broader support networks, enabling donations from around the world.
With 53,000 runners participating in 2025, including thousands running on behalf of charity organizations, the Chicago Marathon continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for philanthropy. For many nonprofits, funds raised during the event account for 10%–20% of their annual operating budgets.
What This Record Means for Nonprofits Going Into 2026
This year’s $47.1 million fundraising achievement represents transformative support. The funding helps nonprofits launch new programs, expand outreach, reinforce staffing, and provide critical services to underserved communities.
Despite economic uncertainty, the Chicago Marathon’s historic fundraising total signals growing public commitment to charitable giving. Event organizers expect 2026 to see even greater participation as charity teams continue to strengthen their presence.
The Chicago Marathon remains not just a race—but a global engine of philanthropy that grows stronger every year.
