Since 2000, Falmouth Road Race, Inc. has helped charity partners raise over $80.3 million and bring awareness to their causes.
The Numbers for Nonprofits charity runner program, launched by former race co-director Rich Sherman, not only assists charities in raising much-needed funds, it also brings people together and provides deeper meaning to running the ASICS Falmouth Road Race. Passionate individuals join a team representing a charity that resonates with them, which creates an uplifting experience to which runners are excited to return year after year−many say it’s the most gratifying experience they’ve ever had.
The Numbers for Nonprofits program has grown exponentially over the years to include more than 300 different teams and an average of 4,200 runners per year who commit to fundraise for their chosen charity and then run the 7-mile course. Each year, the race provides guaranteed entries, with an extended registration deadline, to selected Massachusetts-based charities. The charities then recruit runners who solicit donations for them. Because the race has become so popular that it reaches capacity during registration, official entries are coveted commodities and a great way to ensure a spot on the starting line.
The 53rd running of the ASICS Falmouth Road Race was no exception with 4412 runners/fundraisers committing to 224 teams representing MA-based 501(c)3 organizations. The ASICS Falmouth Road Race is on a bucket list for many runners who look to toe the line on the third Sunday in August. As race organizers were limited by the town to being allowed to host 11,400 runners, many race applicants were turned away. Participating charity organizations welcomed many of these runners who were looking to race on August 17, 2025. Charity runners did an incredible job fundraising, bringing in over $8.76 million, the highest fundraising numbers in the history of the program, and surpassing the previous record by more than $897,000.
To aid the runners in achieving their fundraising goals, the Numbers for Nonprofits program has partnered with various fundraising professionals that provide technology and innovative solutions to help make these efforts easier and more fun. Along with the implementation of a peer-to-peer fundraising system, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race has also added incentives, sweepstakes, and prizes to generate excitement for fundraisers. With these supports and their own motivation, most runners raise well over the minimum fundraising amount designated by their charity team. A wide variety of charities apply each year to join the Numbers for Nonprofits program, supporting causes that range from addiction recovery to health and fitness to veterans’ assistance and animal welfare.
Some volunteer-run Numbers for Nonprofits charities have as few as five runners, while larger organizations have up to 350 runners wearing their logo on race day. All participating charities benefit from extending their outreach to new audiences when their runners hit the course in August.
To aid the runners in achieving their fundraising goals, the Numbers for Nonprofits program has partnered with various fundraising professionals that provide technology and innovative solutions to help make these efforts easier and more fun. Along with the implementation of a peer-to-peer fundraising system, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race has also added incentives, sweepstakes, and prizes to generate excitement for fundraisers. With these supports and their own motivation, most runners raise well over the minimum fundraising amount designated by their charity team. A wide variety of charities apply each year to join the Numbers for Nonprofits program, supporting causes that range from addiction recovery to health and fitness to veterans’ assistance. Some volunteer-run Numbers for Nonprofits charities have as few as five runners, while larger organizations have up to 350 runners wearing their logo on race day. All participating charities benefit from extending their outreach to new audiences when their runners hit the course in August.
Multiple Falmouth-based charities participate year after year, including, 1019 Foundation, Always Families First, Dogs for Better Lives, Belonging to Each Other, Cape Cod Theater Project, Falmouth Education Foundation, Falmouth Service Center, Falmouth Together We Can, Gosnold Behavioral Health, Joe Q. Veteran Coffee Break, John T. Forcellese Memorial Fund, League of Women’ Voters Falmouth, Learn to Cope, Recovery Without Walls, Rotary Club of Falmouth, StarGardtians, Team Chase Foundation, Tommy’s Place Foundation, and Wellstrong, The Willie Fund, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
For more than 20 years the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund have been part of this program, making them Legacy Partners, recruiting more than 300 charity runners each year. We look forward to continued partnership with this incredible organization.
“Having our NFNP program presented by Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund makes so much sense,” said Scott Ghelfi, president of the Falmouth Road Race board of directors. “For over two decades, they have been an integral part of the program’s visibility, continually increasing fundraising efforts to support those who are in need. The good that they – and all our nonprofit partners – have been able to do over the years is staggering. We are so proud of the impact,” said Ghelfi.
“All of us at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund are thrilled to be supporting the ASICS Falmouth Road Race’s Numbers for Nonprofits charity program once again this year as the event’s presenting sponsor. Dana-Farber’s mission to eradicate cancer along with the Falmouth Road Race’s dedication to supporting hundreds of charities, make for an especially meaningful and powerful partnership, and we are honored to play a key role in this special event.”
-Caitlin Fink, Vice President, the Jimmy Fund, December 2024
Giving back has always been the foundation of the Falmouth Road Race, starting with the first event in 1973 when money was raised for the Falmouth High School girls track team. Every year, in addition to the money raised by runners, the race makes direct donations to local nonprofits, scholarships, community organizations, and sports teams.
Organizations seeking to be a part of the Numbers for Nonprofits program must be a Massachusetts-based 501(c)3 organization and must submit an application to be considered. The application window is open from August 31 – October 31 each year.
For more information about running for one of our charity teams, visit Run for a Charity Team page.