Every season of Girls on the Run is an inspirational opportunity to see what is possible when girls are given the space, support, and encouragement to grow. I am thrilled to share that this spring over 112,000 girls made new friends, built confidence, and developed skills that will last a lifetime. Even better, Girls on the Run has now served almost 2.9 million girls!
Continuing to have this level of impact requires great intention and the dedication of thousands of staff and volunteers across our network. Our fiscal year 2027-2029 Strategic Map was recently approved by the Girls on the Run International Board of Directors and will guide our way moving forward. At the heart of this strategy is impact. With your leadership, we are confident we can reach 3.5 million girls by 2029! We will also invest in strategies to deepen brand awareness and trust in the communities we serve. Lastly, we will explore new ways to expand access so that more people can experience the lasting impact of our programming.
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I am excited to share that we now have formal validation of this lasting impact. Initial findings from the recently released Girls on the Run Alums Study confirm what former participants have shared with us for years: the life skills girls learn at Girls on the Run stay with them long after the program ends. The study is engaging girls who participated as fourth graders in 2019 and will follow them until 2028 when they complete high school. Now in middle school, these alums report continuing to use GOTR tools to manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and set goals.
In closing, I am looking forward to a rejuvenating and inspirational summer of connection and celebration. Nearly 400 council staff and board leaders will be attending our 21st Girls on the Run Summit in Cleveland, Ohio! Together, we will learn from experts, share ideas, and find strength in our connectedness. I look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you for your dedication and leadership. The time, wisdom, and care you provide as a board member is making a real and lasting difference in the lives of girls in your community. With gratitude, |
Elizabeth Kunz CEO, Girls on the Run International |
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The 2025 Council Board Survey captures insights from council directors, board chairs, and board members across 96% of councils, offering a broad snapshot of board leadership across the Girls on the Run network. The findings highlight strong mission commitment, solid governance foundations, and opportunities for boards to continue growing as active, strategic partners in advancing Girls on the Run. They also help inform GOTR’s board‑related resources, training, and opportunities for connection and support.
To bring these findings to life, we recently released The State of Our Boards webinar, which reflects on progress since 2021, celebrates effective practices across councils, and previews priority focus areas for the year ahead.
The full 2025 Council Board Survey Report is now available, offering a comprehensive view of board strengths and opportunities across governance, engagement, and culture, along with detailed findings, graphs, and recommendations. Boards may also find the report helpful as a conversation starter to reflect on their own strengths, identify areas for growth, and explore practices being used across the network.
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| With spring and fall programming complete, summer offers a natural shift in pace and creates space to recharge, take a breath, and reflect before the next season.
For boards, however, this season can also bring a loss of momentum if communication and connection grow too quiet. The good news? Staying engaged doesn’t have to mean maintaining the same intensity. Instead, summer invites more intentional, relational, and even fun ways to stay connected, creating time to build relationships, express gratitude, celebrate, and plan for the seasons ahead. We asked members of our council board network how they intentionally stay connected during the summer months while still honoring the season’s slower rhythm. Here’s what they shared: |
Girls on the Run Los Angeles County: Building Momentum Through Summer Onboarding and Strategic Planning |
To stay connected during the summer months, the Girls on the Run Los Angeles County board is intentional about keeping engagement active and meaningful and not letting the season become a dead zone. They onboard a new board cohort during the summer, beginning with a new member orientation held before their August strategic planning retreat. The board intentionally includes new members in strategic planning from the start, giving them an immediate seat at the table in shaping direction. Last year, they also overhauled their onboarding process by providing clearer tools and resources and launching a board buddy system that pairs new members with experienced ones for questions, support, and relationship building. Together, these efforts, along with ongoing planning work and informal connection, build trust, strengthen relationships, and help the board enter the fall aligned, grounded, and energized without starting from zero.
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Girls on the Run Treasure Valley: Together in Bright GOTR Shirts — from Volunteering to the Summer Mixer |
To stay connected during the summer months, the Girls on the Run Treasure Valley Board and Young Professionals Board engage through shared volunteer opportunities, including a local Shakespeare Festival and a relaxed Summer Mixer. At the festival, board members often wear Girls on the Run shirts, with the bright, fun colors naturally sparking conversation and increasing community visibility. Summer engagement has also helped build relationships that are harder to establish virtually. Together, these activities strengthen connections, deepen commitment to the mission, support onboarding, build relationships across boards, and model the kind of community impact we encourage in our girls.
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Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin: Summer Gratitude and Connection |
To stay connected during the summer months, the Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin board hosts an annual “Finish Line” event, a relaxed stewardship gathering focused entirely on appreciation and community. Held at a fun Milwaukee venue, the drop‑in event brings together board members, young professionals, donors, sponsors, and coaches with no fundraising ask, just gratitude and connection. It has become a meaningful way to sustain momentum, deepen relationships, and reinforce belonging during a quieter season, while also giving new board members an inviting opportunity to engage beyond onboarding and enter the fall feeling connected and energized.
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Wondering how to keep your board engaged over the summer through light check-ins, fun moments, and intentional connection? In addition to the ideas shared by councils, check out these five simple and fun ideas! |
1. Send Personalized Thank-Yous |
- Handwritten thank‑you cards to coaches, site liaisons, top donors, and volunteers
- A video thank-you from the board chair and executive director
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2. Create a Summer Engagement BINGO Card |
- A playful, low‑pressure way to encourage connection and participation
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3. Schedule 1:1 Coffee Connections |
- Board chair and CD connect individually with board members
- Peer-to-peer or board buddy coffee meetups to build relationships
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4. Offer Micro-Volunteer Opportunities |
- Support coach training by preparing materials or serving as a greeter
- Call or write notes to reengage lapsed donors
- Host a table at a community outreach event
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5. Send a Quick Board Check‑In Survey |
- What’s working well?
- What support do you need?
- What should we prioritize next year?
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The Girls on the Run FY27–FY29 Strategic Map is now available and will guide our organization’s direction and priorities over the next three years. Rooted in our shared commitment to impact, the map highlights the organization’s collective priorities.
Council boards use the strategic map when developing local strategic plans to ensure council priorities connect to the organization’s broader direction and marathon goals. Updated strategic planning resources, KPIs, and board-focused tools will be released throughout the summer and shared on the Board Resource Page. |
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«NEW!» Organizational Updates Webinar (1 hour and 20 minutes)
Recorded live on January 28, 2026
This organizational updates webinar provides updates on Summit 2026, tech landscape planning, 2026 5K marketing resources, fall 2025 NCT completion trends, and more.
«NEW!» GOTR Census Report - Fall 2025 (26 minutes)
Pre-recorded, released on March 3, 2026
The Fall 2025 GOTR Census Report illustrates the scope and impact of the fall 2025 programming season by examining seasonal data and progress towards our organization's marathon goals, and includes enhanced best practices to enable high-quality programming and operational management. |
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The Board Resources Page is the online organizational hub for board members and does not require a login. It includes position descriptions, recruitment resources, board training supports, performance management tools, hiring resources, and more — all designed to support effective board leadership. |
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Each council is assigned a regional director on the Girls on the Run HQ Council Development team. Regional directors are a key resource and support system for both council staff and boards.
The regional team provides a wide range of support to help councils thrive. These include team development and leadership training, organizational support, and guidance on succession planning and strategic growth. The team also offers specialized consultant expertise across areas such as fund development, communications, volunteer support, and risk management. Together, these services ensure councils have the tools and guidance needed for long‑term success. If you have not yet established contact, consider reaching out today! |
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