All Charities are welcome to apply. Just complete the application in the link above to apply to be a 2026 Official Race Charity.

The Charity Committee will review all applications and make their selection of Charities in the Fall. Charities will then be notified and sent an official contract.

2026 Race Charities will be announced and featured on DerbyFestivalMarathon.com in the Fall.

To become an Official Race Charity, Charities must agree to the following criteria:

• Charity commits to have at least one team or team equivalent (5 people) participate in the miniMarathon, Marathon or Marathon Relay events.
• Charity must provide at least 15 volunteers for any of the following events to assist in roles as requested by the Kentucky Derby Festival and/or the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, including:
  • miniMarathon and Marathon Weekend
  • PNC Tour de Lou Weekend
  • Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade
• Charity agrees to pay processing fees associated with donations made through the online giving module. Such fees are approximately 4 percent of transactions received in the giving module, and will be deducted from Charities total donations received.

Official Race Charities will receive the following benefits:

• Placement of information about Charity on DerbyFestivalMarathon.com. The information on the website will include a description of the charity, logo, and link to Charity website, along with a RunSignup.com fundraising page.
• Integration of Charity into the online giving module (operated through RunSignup), which includes:
  • Race participants that register for the race have an opportunity to donate funds to one or more of the Official Charities as a part of the registration process.
  • Participants can be a fundraising champion for your organization and set individual goals leading up to their race through a personal fundraising page.

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

The Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association provides service and education to 125 counties across greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Over 5 million Americans are living with the disease and more than 90,000 of them reside in our service territory. Services provided include education programs for persons with dementia, caregivers, professionals and the general community, as well as support groups and a 24/7 Helpline. Further, the Chapter advocates at the state and national level of government for research and support services on behalf of the people of Kentucky who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

To fundraise for the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association: CLICK HERE

In early 2015, a small group of parents who didn’t know each other particularly well decided to meet over a cold beer at a local brewery in Louisville. The one thing they had in common… children battling cystic fibrosis. That night, the Klausings (Luke – 8 years old at the time), the Foushees (Alex – 2 years old at the time) and the Sweeneys (Samuel – 8 months old at the time) decided to work tirelessly to rally their city to join the fight to save their kids and beat CF once and for all. Cure CF, Inc. is 100% volunteer based: no employees, no salaries, no overhead; therefore, 100% of all money raised goes to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cure CF’s mission is to fund research at the national and local level and to create a local center of excellence, both of which will increase the quality of life for people with Cystic Fibrosis. Cure CF’s vision is to find a cure for cystic fibrosis and save children’s lives.

To fundraise for Cure CF, Inc.: CLICK HERE

The Friends of the Ohio River Greenway was established in 2009 by members of the communities in Southern Indiana interested in supporting the Ohio River Greenway Project. The group consists of local volunteers who seek to increase public and private awareness of, and support for, the Greenway through advocacy, educational outreach, social networking and fundraising.

The organization provides support to the Ohio River Greenway Commission by assisting in fundraising as well as providing management of events and grants.

Friends of the Ohio River Greenway’s mission is to raise awareness of the Ohio River Greenway and promote its ongoing use, development, and maintenance for the good of communities on both sides of the river.

To fundraise for Friends of the Ohio River Greenway: CLICK HERE

Girls on the Run Kentuckiana (“Girls on the Run”) is a physical activity-based positive youth development program for elementary and middle school girls in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The mission of Girls on the Run is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

Through intentionally designed programs, Girls on the Run empowers girls in grades 3-8 to recognize their inner strength, increase their levels of physical activity, and imagine their possibilities through the innovative integration of physical activities, life-skills lessons, and impactful community projects.

Participants receive 30 hours of programming over 10 weeks led by trained volunteer coaches. In addition to running and other physical activity, Girls on the Run’s dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills, including the important connection between physical and emotional health. At the end of the program, participants are physically and mentally prepared to accomplish their goal of completing a 5K run, a first for most participants.

To Fundraise for Girls On The Run Kentuckiana: CLICK HERE

Harbor House of Louisville is an intergenerational community where people of all ages, abilities, and aspirations come together to live with purpose and connection. Through their innovative vocational, health, and educational services, they empower individuals to discover their strengths, achieve their goals, and belong to something greater than themselves.

Harbor Houses believes true community is built when every person is valued and included. That’s why their programs —ranging from employment training for adults with disabilities, to inclusive early childhood education, to vibrant aging-in-community and health services — are designed to foster independence, dignity, and joy at every stage of life.

Harbor House is weaving a tapestry of love, hope, and empowerment by embracing life together.

To fundraise for Harbor House: CLICK HERE

Hope Scarves is an international non-profit organization based in Louisville. The mission is to support people facing cancer through scarves, stories and research. This is done by collecting scarves and stories from cancer survivors and passing them on to others in treatment.

Since 2012, over 38,000 Hope Scarves have been shared with people facing over 90 types of cancer in every state and 37 countries. The oldest recipient is 97 and the youngest, 10 months old. Hope Scarves has received national accolades for its creative approach to supporting cancer survivors and has become lovingly known as the Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves.

Realizing research is key to truly changing the way people experience cancer, Hope Scarves also invests in metastatic breast cancer research – raising and investing $1.3 million dollars since 2016 in basic, translational, and clinical research.

To fundraise for Hope Scarves: CLICK HERE

Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. They believe in “possible.” Each day, they work to help young people discover what’s possible in their lives. Junior Achievement does this by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. The organization lets them know it’s possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams. Junior Achievement shows them that it’s possible for tomorrow to be a better day.

Junior Achievement’s proven lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship are shown to positively impact the lives of young people. These lessons align with national and state educational standards and are delivered to millions of students across the country with the help of their education partners and volunteers from the local community.

Research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.

To fundraise for Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana: CLICK HERE

For more than 100 years, Metro United Way has been improving lives and our community, which includes Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana.

They are uniquely positioned to harness the power of donors, volunteers, thought leaders, experts, other nonprofits, and government at all levels to ensure positive, sustainable change for every person in our seven-county region. Now more than ever, Metro United Way is focused on three priorities: thriving kids, strong households, and an equitable community. We invite you to join us and be a part of transforming Greater Louisville.

To fundraise for Metro United Way: CLICK HERE

The Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds exclusively for Norton Children’s services, including those offered at Norton Children’s Hospital, Norton Clark Hospital, Norton King’s Daughters’ Health, Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital and Norton Children’s Medical Center. These generous contributions from businesses and individuals provide much-needed support for programs, equipment, new technologies, clinical research, child advocacy and health education for patients, families, medical staff and the community.

As Kentucky and Southern Indiana’s only full-service, free-standing pediatric hospital, Norton Children’s Hospital and its sister facilities continue to care for more than 215,000 children each year, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. The not-for-profit hospital stands as a beacon of hope, with specialists providing excellent pediatric care for congenital and acquired heart disease, cancer care, neurologic care, spine and orthopedic care, neonatal care and more.

As a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, Norton Children’s Hospital stands ready to help children no matter the situation.

To fundraise for Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation: CLICK HERE

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana provides a home away from home for families traveling to Louisville for their child’s medical care. They envision a world where every family has what they need to ensure the best health outcomes for their children.

The organization is built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child – not where they can afford to stay, get their next meal, do their laundry, or lay their head at night to rest. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana is more than a house. It’s a home and support system allowing families to stay together and focus on the healing of their sick children at a critical time. All programs and services are free of charge to families.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.

To fundraise for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana: CLICK HERE

St. John Center’s (SJC) mission is to help people experiencing homelessness address the barriers to housing so they can move home for good.

SJC’s three programs are the Day Shelter and Social Services Center, Street Outreach, and Permanent Supportive Housing.

Rooted in human dignity and a philosophy of Housing First – which places housing as the priority for those we serve – SJC’s three programs collaborate to provide human-centered care that meets people exactly where they are, moving forward with them on the road home.

To fundraise for St. John Center: CLICK HERE

The Swag Hartel Generosity Initiative supports three core areas:

1. Youth Access – Too many young athletes in our community face barriers to participation because they lack proper footwear and gear. The Initiative works to remove those barriers by providing quality running shoes and equipment directly to those who need them most. Beyond physical access, they aims to build confidence, support healthy lifestyles, and open doors to opportunity through sport. When a child has the tools to participate, it creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the track or field.

2. Community Support – The Initiative partners with the Louisville Sports Commission and other local organizations to expand access to running and wellness programs across the city. Together, they ensure community members, especially youth, are equipped with the footwear and resources needed to stay active and healthy. The Initiative’s efforts focus on meeting people where they are, providing both essentials and encouragement to help them thrive. By investing in community partnerships, they strengthen the foundation of running culture in Louisville and create opportunities for more people to experience the joy of movement.

3. Global Impact – Through support of the Kenyan Kids Foundation, founded by Wesley Korir (2012 Boston Marathon Champion) and his wife Tarah, families in Kenya are empowered through education, nutrition, and sustainable farming. Wesleys brother, John Korir, has become one of the world’s top distance runners, winning the 2024 Chicago Marathon and the 2025 Boston Marathon, further fueling awareness of their mission. Together, the Korir family uses running as a platform for lasting change, and leaders at Swags have built a unique relationship with them and their coach, Ron Mann, even spending time at the academy in Kenya to learn firsthand about their inspiring work.

To fundraise for the Swag Hartel Generosity Initiative: CLICK HERE

Building Better Community Since 1974: United Crescent Hill Ministries builds compassionate community by providing programs for education, emergency assistance, health, wellness, and social activities.

United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) is a community ministry sponsored by 19 churches/religious institutions, businesses, and individuals within Crescent Hill, Clifton, Clifton Heights, and Butchertown for the purpose of providing vital social services to these communities and beyond.

UCHM was formed after the devastating tornado of 1974, when churches who helped provide services during the tornado chose to continue to work together in developing other needed community programs for the neighborhood. This outreach is reflected in our mission statement: “Serving Our Neighbors ~ Building Better Community”. UCHM’s services have grown to include programming that serves the wider Louisville Metro area, including our youth and senior programs.

UCHM serves approximately 3,500 individuals with a range of programs that includes: emergency financial and food assistance, youth programming, health prevention services, senior citizen nutrition program and Meals on Wheels, senior citizen activities, community development and organizing, ecumenical activities, outreach, referral and advocacy. UCHM services are provided with the help of 350 volunteers, two full-time staff, and two part-time staff.

To fundraise for United Crescent Hill Ministries: CLICK HERE

Uniting Partners (UP) for Women and Children’s mission is to provide day shelter, resources, emotional support, and community connections to women, children, and marginalized genders experiencing homelessness to address the barriers to housing, so they can leave homelessness for good.

To Fundraise for UP: CLICK HERE

USA Cares is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing post-9/11 military veterans, service members, and their families with financial assistance and post-service skills training. Our mission is to improve quality of life, reduce risk factors that can contribute to veteran suicide, and help families build a foundation for long-term stability.

To Fundraise for USA Cares: CLICK HERE