As we look back at another remarkable fiscal year at Girls on the Run, I am filled with gratitude for the people who fuel our work. Every day, our coaches, board members, staff, partners, and donors bring our mission to life in communities across North America. That spirit was alive this summer at the Girls on the Run Summit in Cleveland, Ohio. More than 475 council leaders gathered for five action-packed days of learning, inspiration, and celebration. Dr. Lisa Damour’s insightful keynote on supporting teenage girls and my inspiring conversation with Olympic gold medalist Elana Meyers Taylor were just two of the many highlights of Summit. |
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We also celebrated the findings from our Girls on the Run Alums Study and were inspired by Girls on the Run Great Lakes Bay Council Director Jennifer Naegele’s beautiful song “Lighting Torches.” At Girls on the Run, we find strength in our connectedness, and Summit is one of the clearest expressions of that core value. Throughout our time together, we learned from one another, deepened connections, and returned home with new ideas and a stronger sense of purpose. I am already looking forward to Summit 2028 in New Orleans, and I hope you’ll join us there!
As we reflect on our accomplishments, that purpose remains clear. In FY26, we served 178,479 girls, helping them build confidence, strengthening relationships, navigate challenges, and discover that they can do hard things! This was only possible because of the dedicated support of more than 80,000 volunteers who helped bring our programs to life last year.
As we look toward the future, our FY27-FY29 Strategic Map will guide us. By 2029, we envision achieving three marathon goals: more than 1 million people accessing Girls on the Run each year, 3.5 million girls served through our core programs, and external research validating the strength of our brand.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require stronger program growth and continued investment in the health and strength of our network. Our priorities include creating a new middle school opportunity, engaging 19,000 new coaches while improving coach retention, increasing coach training completion rates, and building greater awareness of and affinity for Girls on the Run nationwide.
Last week officially marked the 30th anniversary of Girls on the Run. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we also celebrate the countless people who have advanced our mission over three decades. From 13 girls gathering in Charlotte in 1996 to the nearly 2.9 million girls we have served today, this is a story written by an extraordinary community.
Thank you for being part of that story. With gratitude, |
Elizabeth Kunz CEO, Girls on the Run International |
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What drew you to Girls on the Run?
As a mom of two girls, ages 9 and 7, the mission of building confidence and resilience resonated deeply with me. What has kept me committed is seeing the real impact firsthand — girls discovering strength they didn't know they had, finding their voice, and building meaningful friendships. |
How has being board chair shaped your view on fundraising?
Fundraising is really about relationships and community. People want to feel connected to something meaningful. When donors and sponsors see the impact firsthand, they become true partners in our mission. Our Sneaker Soiree does this beautifully by letting sponsors hear directly from the girls themselves. |
A moment that captures the impact of this work?
Watching girls cross the finish line at the end-of-season 5K says it all. I'll never forget one parent telling me her daughter had once struggled with confidence, but by the end of the season, she was making friends, showing up excited for practice, and crossing that finish line with pride. That's what this work is really about. |
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How do you keep sponsors engaged year after year? I focus on partnership over sponsorship. For many corporate partners, the connection is clear: supporting girls today helps build tomorrow's women leaders. I share real stories of impact, so sponsors feel personally invested in the mission — not just running, but confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills. |
What's been most rewarding about GOTR Greater Boston's growth?
Growth isn't just about numbers. It's about how many girls leave believing in themselves more than when they started. Working alongside such passionate board members, coaches, and volunteers has been inspiring, and knowing our work today shapes confident future generations makes it all worthwhile. |
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Together, our FY27-FY29 Strategic Map and Mission Advancement Markers (MAMs) form a connected approach to guide councils from big-picture vision to local action. The Strategic Map establishes our shared direction as a network and the MAMs help councils gauge health and progress against that direction.
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Our FY27-FY29 Strategic Map reflects where we're headed together and our continued commitment to giving more girls access to confidence, connection, and life skills.
As a federated network, our success is shared. Over the next three years, we'll focus on: - Expanding our reach so more people can access Girls on the Run programming
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Strengthening our council network to fuel sustainable growth and impact
- Elevating our collective voice and brand so our impact is recognized nationwide
How to use this Strategic Map locally: Think of the Strategic Map as the umbrella your council's local strategic plan sits under. As you set or revisit local goals, use these three priorities as a lens. Ask how your council's plans ladder up to expanding reach, strengthening the network, or elevating our shared voice. Every council is at a different stage, so this will look different from community to community. The goal is for each local plan to connect back to our shared direction.
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What's New With the FY27-FY29 Mission Advancement Markers (MAMs) |
Since introducing MAMs in 2019, GOTR HQ has used them to tie council health directly to our strategic map. With the launch of the new FY27–FY29 Strategic Map, we've reassessed the MAMs and refreshed them into five categories: Financial Strength, Leadership and People, Program Strength, Program Access and Impact, and Reputation — each with updated indicators and targets.
A quick reminder on what MAMs are: MAMs are tools to gather insight, guide decision-making, and assess a council's health and sustainability. They are not a grading system or a complete picture of council health. Councils get the most value when they use MAMs as planning tools and discussion starters with staff and boards rather than as a report card.
How to use this locally: Bring the MAMs into your regular planning rhythm. Review your indicators with staff and your board, and use them as a starting point for conversation rather than a final verdict. Ask where your council is strong, where there's room to grow, and how your local strategic plan can respond to what the markers show. Used this way, MAMs become a compass for local decision-making, not a scorecard. Stay tuned for the next Boardroom in early 2027, when we'll feature an updated suite of strategic planning resources to tie it all together, including practical tools and guidance to help your council turn MAM insights into clear goals and measurable progress!
To review the Mission Advancement Marker Guidebook and Workbook, visit the Board Resource Page. |
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Board Fundraising Cohort — Winter 2027
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GOTR HQ is excited to announce the next Board Fundraising Cohort, designed specifically for board members. The cohort will run from February through May 2027, with sessions held on the first Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. ET. Participating councils may send one or two board members per session. Participating board members must complete two pre-recorded, self-paced trainings (approximately 2.5 hours total) before the first session.
- Session One: Ambassadors in Action
- Session Two: Fueling the Mission
- Session Three: Driving Success
- Session Four: Fund Development & Stewardship
Please discuss this opportunity with your council and complete the interest form by Friday, Nov. 20. Selected councils will be notified via email during the first week of December. Participation is limited to 25 councils. Questions? Contact johara@girlsontherun.org. |
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NEW! FY26 GOTR Census Report (23 minutes)
Pre-recorded, released on July 21, 2026
This year's Census Report tells the story of our collective impact — the scale, strength, and momentum of GOTR's work nationwide. Explore key trends, celebrate our successes, and uncover insights to help shape what's next. |
NEW! Organizational Updates Webinar (1.5 hours) Recorded live on Aug. 12, 2026 The Organizational Updates Webinar provides key updates from marketing, technology, partnerships and development, finance, council development, and Beyond the Finish, as well as information on key FY27 initiatives such as Funds to Spark Growth and National Site Marketing. |
ALWAYS AVAILABLE: Regional Support Team
Each council is assigned a regional director on the Girls on the Run HQ Council Development team. Regional directors are a critical resource and support system for council staff and boards. From reviewing and assessing your council's Mission Advancement Markers to supporting your strategic planning process, there are many ways your regional director can partner with your council this year. If you haven't yet connected, reach out today — we'd love to support you!
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ALWAYS AVAILABLE: Board Fundamentals Webinar Series Released in May 2025
Upon completion of the five-part series, participants will increase their knowledge and skills for explaining the importance of board roles, expectations, and healthy governance operations.
Board members can locate the series on the Board Resource Page. |
ALWAYS AVAILABLE: Board Chair Training
Released in January 2025
The Board Chair Training provides an overview of board chairs' key responsibilities and skills, including leadership responsibilities, strategies for effective execution, and the importance of fostering strong organizational relationships. In addition, the Board Chair Prep Kit provides insights, tips, and best practices, emphasizing the critical 30-, 60-, and 90-day milestones as well as key planning tasks for a board chair’s first year.
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ALWAYS AVAILABLE: Board Resource Page
The Board Resource Page is the online organizational hub for board members that requires no login. The page includes position descriptions, recruitment resources, board training supports, performance management tools, hiring resources, and more. New resources are now available to support board fundraising and affiliate advisory boards, including board fundraising resources for grants, sponsorships, peer-to-peer fundraising, end of year giving, events, SoleMates, and more. Review the new board fund development resources and affiliate advisory board resources sections to explore these tools.
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