How to run the NYC Marathon for charity
Mar 7, 2026
If you didn’t win the NYC Marathon lottery, you’re not alone: The acceptance rate for 2026 was just 1%—a record low with over 240,000 applicants.
You’re also not out of the running: If you are still looking for a marathon spot, you can run for charity with one of 670 nonprofits racing this November as part of the New York Road Runners’ Official Charity Partner Program. We’re partial to #TeamConcern, which has been part of the Charity Partner Program since 2019, and if you already know you want to join us you can apply below.
Update: All #TeamConcern charity spots have been filled! But if you already have a bib, you can still dedicate your run to Concern and join our team. Scroll to the bottom of this page for more details.
If you want some more information first, here’s how the charity route works.
What does it mean to run for charity?
Organizations that participate in the TCS New York City Marathon Official Charity Partner Program are registered 501(c)(3)s. In fact, the Marathon itself is organized through a nonprofit, the New York Road Runners.
NYRR launched their charity partner program in 2006 to support other nonprofits. Since then, runners have raised nearly $700 million for more than 1,000 organizations.
Just like runners must meet certain requirements to participate in the marathon, we also have to meet specific criteria to become official partners. In exchange, we receive a limited number of guaranteed race entries—aka, charity bibs. Runners who join a charity team commit to raising a minimum amount of funds before race day. In return, they receive guaranteed entry into the marathon while helping raise money for a cause they care about.
How much do I have to fundraise?
In 2026, Team Concern members commit to a fundraising minimum of $6,500. However, you aren’t alone in this process.
Concern’s fundraising team is skilled at supporting individual fundraising for the Marathon (it’s literally our job!), and we’re here to provide runners with one-on-one help for questions regarding our mission and fundraising ideas.
What if I don’t think I can raise that much? This is a common question we’re asked, but many runners are surprised by how achievable the minimum can be. By sharing your story with friends, family, and your broader network, small donations often add up quickly.
What happens if I don’t meet the minimum? #TeamConcern has deadlines and fundraising milestones to help runners stay on track—think of it as an add-on to your physical training schedule. If the minimum isn’t met by the final deadline, runners may be responsible for covering the remaining balance. However, most runners on #TeamConcern have met their goal well before race day.
Do I have to pay anything upfront? In addition to the fundraising minimum, runners still pay the official registration fee—as required by NYRR—once they’re accepted onto a team.
Step-by-step: How to run the NYC Marathon for charity
Running 26.2 miles is the hard part. Here’s how to make your run go even further:
1. Find an official charity partner
Charities receive limited bibs so you’ll want to act early on this. You can apply to be a member of #TeamConcern now through April 9, 2026.
2. Apply for a charity bib
You still need to apply for a charity bib, but our application system is a bit different. We want to know that you can safely train for the race. We also want to know how you can plan to meet or exceed the $6,500 fundraising goal. And we really want to know what makes you passionate about Concern’s work and mission. Our work covers a number of areas and supports 24 countries, so there’s a lot to choose from, as well as our overarching mission: a world without poverty and hunger, where people are able to live full, creative, dignified lives.
3. Commit to a fundraising minimum
As we mentioned above, there is a minimum fundraising goal of $6,500. Joining a charity team means you agree to actively fundraise and reach your goal by the day of the race. We’ll provide you with a personalized fundraising page and process the donations, and support along the way if you get stuck.
4. Register and train for the race
Once you’ve been accepted by a charity and committed to the minimum, you’ll complete your registration with NYRR and start training (if you haven’t already started).
5. Fundraise
Fundraising $6,500 is itself a marathon, not a sprint. #TeamConcern members will have at least six-and-a-half months to fundraise and tend to make the most of that time. Some common fundraising tactics runners use include sharing their fundraising page on social media and posting regularly as they train with a link to donate, sending email updates to friends and family, and asking employers about donation-match programs.
When should I apply for a charity bib?
With the lottery results announced, charity spots are beginning to fill up. As of this writing, #TeamConcern has five slots left. Our deadline to apply is April 9, 2026.
What are the benefits of running the NYC Marathon for charity?
There are the obvious benefits of a guaranteed race entry, training resources, and the bragging rights and sense of accomplishment that come with running 26.2 miles—plus the tour itself of NYC via its five boroughs.
Beyond that, however, by running the NYC Marathon for charity, you’re joining a community of like-minded people who have a vision for the future and the perseverance to get there, one step at a time. That’s true for both your running goals and the work that our runners come together to support.
Concern works on very much the same community principles, and it’s through partnerships with other NGOs and initiatives that bring communities together to design their own futures and solve the challenges that lie between them and breaking the cycle of poverty. It’s this focus that allows us to reach 27 million people each year, many living in the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach areas, with life-changing programs that continue long after our work is done.
Your run helps us advance further to our ultimate finish line: a world without poverty.
Run with #TeamConcern
#TeamConcern was established in 2019 and has since raised over $430,000 for our programs across 24 countries, transforming lives across the globe. You can learn more about the benefits of joining #TeamConcern for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, or apply directly below.
Update: All #TeamConcern charity spots have been filled! But if you already have a bib, you can still dedicate your run to Concern and join our team.
I’m already registered for the NYC Marathon, can I still fundraise for #TeamConcern?
Yes! We’d love to have you. Runners who have already secured a spot in the marathon are invited to join our supportive team and will have access to all the benefits of running with #TeamConcern. Unofficial runners are asked to raise a minimum of $3,000. Please contact our Development Manager, Matt Durkin, at [email protected].
And #TeamConcern isn’t just for the TCS NYC Marathon. If you’re registered for another marathon, half-marathon, 10k, 5k, Tough Mudder, Iron Man, or another endurance race and want to support Concern Worldwide, we’d be thrilled for you to join #TeamConcern and help raise vital funds and awareness. Drop us a line, and we’ll get you set up.
