Made possible through the generous support of sponsor partners led by Eversource, the HMF GIVES initiative was created to direct 100% of the $25 Eversource Hartford Marathon race registration fees to charities that support urgent local needs.

Throughout the history of the event, supporting local charity causes has been a cornerstone, with $7.8 million donated through the Official Charity program since 1994. This year, Official Charity partners will continue to rally their teams and fundraisers for their cause but they’ll also be supported by each and every race participant. Registration fees collected will be equitably distributed through HMF GIVES to each of the Official Charities based on the percentage of the total fundraising efforts.

Participants are still encouraged to increase their support by running, walking or fundraising on behalf of an Official Charity. LEARN MORE /// FUNDRAISING LEADERBOARD

Participants can fundraise for other causes using the GoFundMe charity page. LEARN MORE

PREMIER CHARITIES

Connecticut Children’s

Connecticut Children’s is the only hospital in Connecticut dedicated exclusively to the care of children and provides more than 30 pediatric specialties along with community-based programs to uniquely care for the physical, social, and emotional needs of children. Our team of pediatric experts and care coordinators bring access to breakthrough research, advanced treatments for both rare and common diseases, and innovative health and safety programs to every child.

Connecticut Children’s is providing care for children who must be hospitalized and are prepared to receive pediatric patients from other hospitals, in order to open up space at those adult hospitals for the surge of adults with COVID-19. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Hospital for Special Care

Hospital for Special Care (HSC) is the fourth largest, free-standing long-term acute care hospital in the U.S. and the only one in the nation serving adults and children. HSC is recognized for advanced care and rehabilitation in pulmonary care, acquired brain injury, medically-complex pediatrics, neuromuscular disorders including ALS research, spinal cord injury, comprehensive heart failure and comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

HSC has operated at surge capacity, caring for more patients than ever throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic. We’re keeping all of our patients safe and have expanded services to care for patients who need the specialized expertise we provide to recover from COVID-19 and regain their strength before returning home. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

GOLD CHARITIES

Achilles International-Connecticut Chapter

Achilles International-CT Chapter is a not-for-profit organization that partners able-bodied runners with disabled athletes. Our mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics in order to promote personal achievement, enhance self-esteem, and lower barriers to living a fulfilling life.

During the pandemic, we have kept our community of disabled athletes and volunteers connected through virtual programming. Examples are a Virtual Workout Competition across the state, a Zoom-based speaker series, and a Virtual Book Club of Jason Romero’s Running into the Dark (featuring Jason himself over Zoom). WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Girl Scouts of Connecticut

Girl Scouts offers the best leadership development experience for girls in the world, and encourages and empowers girls to try new things, be themselves, speak up and take the lead.

Everything a Girl Scout does centers around STEM, the outdoors, development of life skills and entrepreneurship. Whether she’s building a robotic arm, coding her first app, building a shelter in the backcountry, or running her first marathon in Hartford, a Girl Scout has an exciting array of choices to suit her interests at every age.

We’re more than 41,000 members strong – over 27,500 girls and nearly 14,000 adults – who believe that every girl can change the world.

We are doing our part to dismantle systemic racism. We are asking all Girl Scouts—girls, volunteers, alums, supporters, families, staff, and our suppliers and service providers—to commit to taking action to make the world a more equitable place. Sign our pledge today to stand up against racism. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Healing Meals Community Project

Healing Meals Community Project has a dual mission to provide healthy, organic meals to people in an acute health crisis, while fostering compassion and empowering youth and adult volunteers in our communities.

As the only non-profit in Connecticut that experientially teaches about nutrient-rich foods, volunteers have the opportunity to plant and harvest produce from our organic garden, prep food, cook, package and deliver healing meals to those in need.

During the pandemic, Healing Meals has continued its important work of serving medically-fragile clients and their families. In addition, during these challenging times we have expanded our services to include delivering nutrient-rich light meals and snacks to our healthcare workers at area hospitals. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

United Way brings people and resources together to address immediate needs and finds long-term solutions to challenging problems. We do this by investing in programs and services, leading community change initiatives, and mobilizing resources and volunteers to ensure that children succeed in school; people get jobs and are financially secure; people are healthy; and, basic needs are met during tough times.

While each of us has been affected by COVID-19, the pandemic underscores the health and economic disparities of lower-wage earners and people of color; the vulnerability of those already hungry, homeless or developmentally compromised; the elderly; and, those experiencing domestic violence. Uniting together, we will successfully fight COVID-19 and accelerate innovative ways to give, advocate and volunteer for the common good. United Way continues to respond quickly to the growing needs we see in our community; we’re teaming up with municipalities and regional partners on recovery plans post COVID-19; and, we’re reimagining volunteer and employee engagement through virtual opportunities.

We don’t do it alone and we can’t do it without you. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

SILVER CHARITIES

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer and together with the support of our millions of volunteers and supporters, we are doing just that!

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has regional and local offices throughout the country to ensure we have a presence in every community.

As a health organization we have created a a live chat or our 24-hour helpline at 800-227-2345 to provide support to our constituents and our communities. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Communities across the country count on the American Red Cross for help every day – and supporting those communities is at the heart of what we do. Our work never stops, even during this coronavirus crisis, and we remain focused on delivering our lifesaving mission each day. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford builds the values, character and skills our youth need to succeed in the 21st Century. We provide academic assistance, leadership development, access to technology and exposure to colleges and careers to build great futures.

The Youth for Unity program provides our members with the groundwork that will help them better understand diversity and combat prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. This program consists of a comprehensive, broad-based set of activities and conversation starters that build the capacity for our Clubs to help members appreciate themselves as unique and special individuals; understand our society’s diversity; recognize bias and unfairness; and take personal leadership in confronting bias.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford worked quickly to implemented a Virtual Club during the pandemic to keep our members engaged and learning at home. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Chrysalis Center, Inc.

Chrysalis Center’s mission is to provide supportive services to assist people in need to transform their lives.

The Center was one of the first organizations in the state to embrace supportive housing. Today, they also help low-income people dealing with substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, release from incarceration and homelessness. Their services have grown beyond community support services and case management to include community employment services, community supportive housing, recovery services, affordable housing development and community connections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chrysalis Center is providing additional supportive services to their clients who are in need of food. Their on-site fresh food pantry has seen a recent increase in individuals and families seeking food. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Donate Life Connecticut

Donate Life Connecticut is dedicated to increasing the number of registered organ and tissue donors through public education and awareness of all Connecticut residents and beyond. To be successful in our mission, DLC hosts many large scale awareness programs throughout the state including community events and educational programs such as a high school art contest and school health education.

Through social media and our email platform, Donate Life Connecticut has reinforced social distancing guidelines and shared relevant medical information from within our transplant community. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Girls on the Run Greater Hartford

Girls on the Run Greater Hartford is a Physical Activity Positive Youth-Development Program. Over a period of 10 weeks, girls in grades 3 through 8 participate in an after-school program like no other. GOTR lessons encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development by exploring and discussing the girls’ own beliefs, experiences and challenges they face at this age. Throughout the season, the girls make new friends, build their confidence, participate in physical activities and deliver a community service project. Each GOTR season culminates in a celebratory 5k run/walk which shows the girls how the seemingly impossible, becomes possible.

Mission: We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience based curriculum which creatively integrates running. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Independence Unlimited

Independence Unlimited, Incorporated (IU) is a non-residential, non-profit center for independent living that serves very diverse populations in 38 cities and towns in mainly Hartford County. The Center, which was established in 1982, is governed and managed by people with disabilities.

We provide a variety of services that benefit persons with disabilities such as aging in place assessments and resources so people can remain in their own home, live in the community and pursue their dreams. The primary purpose of the agency is to support persons with disabilities to live in the community as an alternative to institutionalization. WEBSITE

Jordan Porco Foundation

The Jordan Porco Foundation’s mission is to prevent suicide, promote mental health, and create a message of hope for young adults. They accomplish this by providing engaging and uplifting peer-run programs. Their programs strive to start a conversation about mental health that reduces stigma while encouraging help-seeking and supportive behaviors. The Jordan Porco Foundation is named in memory of the co-founder’s son, Jordan. Jordan died by suicide in 2011 as a college freshman. What started as two grieving parents’ vision, has grown into a nationally respected Foundation that helps tens of thousands of young adults across the country.

The Jordan Porco Foundation adapted their mental health promotion and suicide prevention programs to the virtual space to continue meeting the needs of the youth they serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Foundation annually creates a July awareness campaign in support of Black, Indigenous, People of Color Mental Health Month. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

KNOX, Inc.

Using horticulture as a catalyst for community engagement, KNOX forges partnerships between residents, businesses, and government, providing leadership to build stronger, greener, healthier and more beautiful neighborhoods in Hartford.

KNOX is providing the Hartford community with access to healthy food during the COVID-19 pandemic by managing 20 community gardens that enable over 275 residents to grow produce for their families. KNOX is also engaging volunteers in growing produce to donate to Hartford residents in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

March of Dimes

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We believe that every baby deserves the best possible start. For 80 years, March of Dimes has helped millions of babies survive and thrive. Now we’re building on that legacy to level the playing field for all moms and babies, no matter their age, socio-economic background or demographics.

March of Dimes will use funds raised for the Mom and Baby COVID-19 Intervention and Support Fund to support research for necessary interventions to prevent or treat COVID-19, advocate on behalf of moms and babies on this issue and educate the public about precautionary measures. This initiative will support programs and services such as the Community Health Care Van in New Haven to mitigate the risk of exposure to low-income mothers and babies as well as providing care kits for distribution to the moms coming to the van, items include education materials, baby monitors, masks, blood pressure cuffs, diapers, teething rings, pacifiers and more. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Mental Health Connecticut

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) empowers individuals to achieve long-term mental wellness and independence, while collaborating with other organizations and leaders to instigate meaningful systems change. For adults and young adults in recovery, MHC is a trusted companion on the complex journey to obtaining a safe home, achieving whole health, realizing meaningful purpose, and becoming an active member of the community. Established in 1908, MHC is a statewide, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve mental health for all Connecticut residents.

Due to the pandemic, the way we serve our program participants has changed to accommodate for an increase in virtual and remote wellness checks, a focus on providing the basic necessities such as food, shelter, household items, and PPE, and expanding our community education and awareness efforts to be a resource to all CT residents. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Ron Foley Foundation

Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd deadliest cancer and has the worst survival rate of all cancers. Our mission is to fund medical research leading to improve diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer and find a cure for this terrible disease. We are also committed to raising awareness of pancreatic cancer through education and providing direct financial aid to pancreatic cancer patients in need.

All recent fundraising has supported Ron’s Rescue Fund, which helps pancreatic cancer patients and their families with financial assistance. Financial assistance to those fighting this disease is needed more than ever with potential job losses and other financial insecurities during these uncertain times. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK

Susan G. Komen New England

The mission of Susan G. Komen is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Komen New England serves as the leader in the breast cancer fight. We work to ensure our neighbors have access to a continuum of care, including preventative care, diagnostic tests and treatment support, and cutting-edge research.

Susan G. Komen has launched the COVID-19 Action Fund to address the unique needs of those facing breast cancer during this health and economic crisis. This fund ensures that important services including Komen’s treatment assistance program, breast care and clinical trials helpline, advocacy and research continue. WEBSITE /// FACEBOOK