Volunteer
We rely on the dedication of volunteers to make the Bank of America Chicago Marathon a success! From the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, through the 26.2-mile course, to the finish line in Grant Park, prepare yourself to feel inspired, motivated and energized by joining our volunteer team.
Volunteer interest
Community volunteer opportunities
We encourage you to give back to your community! The list below contains a wide variety of volunteer opportunities being offered by event volunteer groups and charity partners. Click on the organization’s name learn more about each opportunity.
- Virtual
- America Needs You – America Needs You relies on professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to develop one-on-one mentoring relationships that help students achieve their academic and professional goals. Volunteers not only get to give back and make a meaningful impact in a young person’s life, but this is also a robust professional development and networking experience for early-to-mid career professionals.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago – Become a Big Brother or Big Sister volunteer to help shape a child’s future for the better by inspiring positive change and empowering them to achieve their dreams.
- Blessons for Women – Advance the Blessons for Women’s mission as a Grant Writer by helping to identify institutional barriers to equity of educational and employment opportunities for disadvantaged women 25 years and older and developing programmatic responses to them. To learn more, email khit@blessons.org.
- Girls on the Run – Chicago – If you are looking for a way to volunteer virtually this season, we invite you to consider becoming a Girls on the Run-Chicago Coach. Coaches will meet virtually twice per week for 8 weeks with a team of 6 to 12 girls, guiding them through 60-minute lessons and serving as a positive role model. Girls on the Run-Chicago will provide you with the tools and training you need to be successful. For volunteer opportunities outside of the Chicago area visit girlsontherun.org.
- The Resurrection Project – Help low- to moderate-income residents improve their financial health as a credit mentor. You will work one-on-one to help them understand their credit report and build their credit. Please contact Lorena Pulido at lpulido@resurrectionproject.org for more information.
- In-person
- Advocate Health Care – Help out the Advocate Health Care team as they continue working hard through COVID-19 challenges. Follow the link to become a hospice volunteer.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Be a part of advocating for suicide prevention by helping the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention share information with others by participating at an event or sending letters to legislators.
- CASA of Cook County – Court Appointed Special Advocates is looking for dedicated individuals who have children’s best interest at heart to be volunteers. If this description fits you, visit their webpage for more information and the volunteer application.
- Chicago Parks Foundation – The Chicago Parks Foundation is providing trash pick-up supplies and safety guidelines to help keep Chicago’s parks clean this summer! Bring a volunteer group on a date that works best for you or sign up for one of their pre-scheduled volunteer events.
- Greater Chicago Food Depository – Join repack sessions at the Greater Chicago Food Depository they focus on putting large quantities of bulk food into packages that individuals and families can use. Volunteer opportunities are available Tuesdays through Saturdays. Specific details and availability can be found on the volunteer calendar found on their webpage.
- Illinois Institute of Technology – Join the IIT community and help students find their career path by volunteering in career assistance services.
- Jesse Brown Medical VA Center – The medical center has various volunteer opportunities available. All the volunteer assignments involve providing comfort and care to veterans.
- Mission of Our Lady of the Angels – Help Mission of Our Lady of the Angels as they feed 700 families at their Tuesday morning food pantry. Reach out to olamission@gmail.com for more details on volunteer requirements and registration.
- Northern Illinois Food Bank– Thanks to volunteers, Northern Illinois Food Bank serves more than half a million hungry neighbors each year across 13 counties. Use the online calendar to find an opportunity type, time and location that works for you!
- Northwestern University – Whether you are looking for a permanent place to volunteer or a one-time opportunity, Northwestern Club of Chicago has volunteer options for you!
- One Brick – Starting in October, One Brick will be joining volunteers at Ravenswood Community Market pantry on every fourth Saturday of the month. Volunteers will assist with bagging the produce for distribution and ensuring that clients are receiving their produce.
- Phil’s Friends – Students, adults and families are all welcome to volunteer at Phil’s friends through the Cards of the Hope program or the Hope on Call program.
- Project: VISION – Share your enthusiasm for youth development and join Project: VISION by volunteering your time as a general volunteer, tutor or board member.
- Donation drives
- American Red Cross – Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of blood. Help others in need by participating in an American Red Cross Blood Drive near you.
- Jesse Brown Medical VA Center – Help patients have an enjoyable lifestyle by donating non-monetary items such as clothing, books and magazines or coffee supplies.
- Mercy Home for Boys & Girls – Looking for a way to help local children and families during this time? You can donate nonperishable food items to Mercy Home. The drop-off site is behind 1100 W. Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL.
- Other
- Dreams for Kids – Mark your calendars as the 32nd annual Holiday for Hope event is coming up in December 2020. More information to come with specific details related to the various volunteer opportunities involved with the event.
- World Bicycle Relief – The Bank of America Chicago Marathon bike marshals ride on behalf of World Bicycle Relief. World Bicycle Relief mobilizes people through The Power of Bicycles. Learn how you can make an impact.
Looking for more options? Check out Chicago Cares and VolunteerMatch for opportunities in your area.
If you have an in-person or virtual volunteer opportunity you would like us to consider, please complete the online volunteer opportunity form.
Service hours verification
Log in to your volunteer account post-race and visit your “Past Jobs” in your “My Job” tab to download your Certificate of Appreciation and Service Hours Form, verifying your participation in the event. These forms are only available for checked-in shifts. If you need to complete a different form, please send a request to volunteer@chicagomarathon.com.
Resources
Questions can be directed to volunteer@chicagomarathon.com.
