Since 2000, Falmouth Road Race, Inc. has helped charity partners raise over $45 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 160 teams and over 3,000 runners 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.
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 300 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 The 300 Committee Land Trust, Inc., Belonging to Each Other, Falmouth Service Center, Gosnold, Inc., Independence House, Inc., Recovery Without Walls and Wellstrong. Compassionate Care ALS, an organization that often recruits over 100 runners each year, has been with the Numbers for Nonprofits program since the beginning. For many of these local charities, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race is their most significant source of income.
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.