***Press release

Austin Gives Miles, the Austin Marathon’s Official Charity Program, is pleased to announce the selection of the 29 Official Charities for 2018. The accepted nonprofits will raise awareness for their mission, provide volunteer support, and recruit runners to fundraise on their behalf while they train for the Austin Marathon®, set to take place on Feb. 18, 2018.

This is the fifth year that Austin Gives Miles will be the Official Charity Program for the Austin Marathon. This year’s goal, to raise more than $750,000, will ensure the selected Official Charities can continue to positively affect the Central Texas community. While registering for the marathon, half marathon or 5K, runners can opt-in to fundraise for their favorite nonprofit while they train. Read more about the accepted charities. 

Gilbert Tuhabonye, co-founder of Gazelle Foundation.

“The Gazelle Foundation is thrilled to join the Austin Marathon’s Austin Gives Miles program for the first time,” says Kippi Griffith, Executive Direction for the Gazelle Foundation.  “Being an Austin Gives Miles Official Charity is a great complement to the significant amount accomplished by Austinites and we know this opportunity to engage with more runners will help us further our mission of participating locally for a global cause.”

Last year, Austin Gives Miles contributed more than $637,000 to the Central Texas community through its fundraising efforts. The Moody Foundation pitched in and matched contributions made, up to $10,000, for each organization. In addition to the funds and awareness raised, last year’s Austin Gives Miles Official Charities recruited more than 500 runners and provided more than 1500 volunteers.

“Last year was a record-breaking year and benefitted both the organizations and the local community,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “We have a great mixture of returning and new nonprofits and I’m confident that we can surpass our goal, just like 2017!”

Austin Gives Miles is continuing their partnership with CrowdRise as it’s online fundraising platform. CrowdRise is the world’s largest and fastest growing online platform dedicated exclusively to charitable fundraising.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas. In 2017, Austin’s flagship running event attracted runners from all 50 states and 22 countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination.