Where Does The Money Go?

Those of us associated with the Missoula Marathon are often asked about the registration fee and "where the money goes."

The Missoula Marathon has many causes that it supports. First and foremost, the Missoula Marathon is put on by Run Wild Missoula, the local non-profit 501(c)3 running club, and it is a fundraiser for that organization. The mission statement for Run Wild Missoula is to support walking and running for all ages and abilities, and the Missoula Marathon helps fund much of those efforts.

Run Wild Missoula puts on many events for the community.  Sometimes we make some money, but often we break even or lose money, and we also produce events that are fundraisers for a wide variety of other non-profit organizations including:  Hellgate Cross Country, Missoula Food Bank, Alzheimer's Association, and Prostate Cancer Research.

The running club also does community projects, such as posting mile markers along running trails in Missoula. Run Wild Missoula also donates money to Missoula Youth Track, another non-profit organization, and other running related causes.

Additionally, the Missoula Marathon gives a percentage of the profits back to non-profit organizations that help us out on race day, including HARC the ham radio operators, Red Cross of Montana, Camp Mak-a-Dream and Opportunity Resources. Above and beyond that, we supported Missoula Youth Homes in their efforts to utilize our event as a fundraiser for their non-profit organization. They raised $80,000 last year and are excited about improving upon that this year. We encourage other non-profit organizations to do similar activities with our event.

When you register on-line, please feel free to take advantage of the donation opportunities to any of the non-profit organizations that help us out!  As you know, every little bit helps, so whether it's $1 or $100, they will appreciate it.

When you run the Missoula Marathon, please feel good about everything in this community to which you have just contributed.

I Want to Run for Charity
Awesome!  Here are some opportunities and contacts for you:

Missoula Youth Homes (Children in Transition)
Run for Our Sons (Muscular Dystrophy)
Operation Jack (Autism)

I Can't Fundraise But I Can Contribute
That's great.  When you register on-line you will find opportunities to donate directly to

1.   Camp Mak-a-Dream (camp for cancer kids and our most enthusiastic aid station every year),
2.   American Red Cross of Montana (these guys help with just about every event in the community), and
3.   Opportunity Resources (employment for adults with handicaps and they stuff all our race bags).

Thank you for caring about where your money goes with the Missoula Marathon!