Girls on the Run is a health and fitness initiative to provide girls and women the opportunity to participate in 5k runs. While it has dozens of chapters throughout the United States, each operating as independent nonprofit organizations, its primary organization is Girls on the Run International, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. ¹

In March 2025, Girls on the Run’s Kansas City chapter joined 43 other organizations for a “volunteer fair” hosted by Boots on the Ground Midwest, a Kansas City-based left-of-center initiative to provide training workshops for activists and “build a yellow brick road for our Senators to find their way back home to Kansas.” ² It was promoted by Indivisible, an organizer of left-of-center demonstrations that directed activists to send yellow bricks to the offices of U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS). ^{3 4}

Background

Girls on the Run is a health and fitness initiative to provide girls and women the opportunity to participate in 5k runs. While it has chapters throughout the United States, each operating as independent nonprofit organizations, its primary organization is Girls on the Run International, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. ¹

The organization bills itself as a resource to address alleged crises in girls’ “mental and physical health concerns” by helping them build confidence, form friendships, and instill a joy for exercise. ¹

Programs

Girls on the Run manages multiple different programs. These include 3rd-5th grade programming, 6th-8th grade programming, and Camp GOTR. The former two have participants complete 5k runs, while the latter combines physical and mental exercises in a summer camp environment. ¹

Partners

Girls on the Run is officially partnered with Addidas, Gamma Phi Beta, Rite Aid – Health Futures, and the app BAND. Its corporate sponsors included 26.2 Team Milk, Hershey, Flamingo, Fleet Feet, Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run, Lindywell, True Citrus, Sparkling Ice, Genesis, BNP Paribas, Feetures, and Athletic Brewing Co. ⁵

Advocacy Activities

In March 2025, Girls on the Run’s Kansas City chapter joined 43 other nonprofit organizations for a “volunteer fair” hosted by Boots on the Ground Midwest, a Kansas City-based left-of-center initiative to provide training workshops for activists and “build a yellow brick road for our Senators to find their way back home to Kansas.” ² It was promoted by Indivisible, a left-wing demonstration organizer which directed activists to send yellow bricks to the offices of U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS). ^{3 4} In 2022, Indivisible promised to send its protestors $1,000 to cover their costs; it was unclear as of 2025 if it was still operating this program. ⁶

Financials

In 2022, Girls on the Run International reported revenue of $6,998,150, total expenses of $7,520,755, and net assets of $8,193,337. ⁷ It earned $1,505,313 from membership and renewal fees, $278,142 from registration fees, and $22,131 from council training. ⁸

Girls on the Run is supported by foundations and fundraising partners. As of 2025, these included Susan Crown Exchange, ADM, the DSW Foundation, the Five Below Foundation, NCHPAD, Warburg Pincus, and HDR Inc. ⁵

In 2022, Girls on the Run International provided its regional chapters with grants ranging from $5,000 to more than $40,000. ⁹

Leadership

As of 2025, Elizabeth Kunz was the CEO of Girls on the Run International. Kathryn Thompson was COO and Heather Blake was CFO. ¹⁰

1. “What We Do.” Girls on the Run. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://www.girlsontherun.org/What-We-Do/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-qi_BhBxEiwAkxvbkOZDowBerQBqFJfAjd4afZ5rsYI90b1nkA-qHMIpVAq6x_jUQfSMSBoCVN4QAvD_BwE.
2. Glynn, Earl F. “Boots on the Ground Midwest promotes progressive organizing in KC area.” Watchdog Lab – Substack.com, March 17, 2025. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://watchdoglab.substack.com/p/boots-on-the-ground-midwest-promotes.
3. “Kansas Senators – There’s No Place Like Home.” Indivisible. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/761740/.
4. Glynn, Earl F. ““Indivisible” to harass US Senators this week in Kansas.” Watchdog Lab – Substack.com, March 16, 2025. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://watchdoglab.substack.com/p/indivisible-to-harass-us-senators.
5. “Partner With Us.” Girls on the Run. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://www.girlsontherun.org/partner-with-us/.
6. “IndivisiGather: Community Building Event Reimbursement Request Form. Indivisible, Archived February 24, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20220224083400/https://indivisible.org/indivisigather-community-building-event-reimbursement-request-form.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Girls on the Run International. 2022. Part I, lines 12, 18, 22.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Girls on the Run International. 2022. Part VII – Statement of Revenue. 2a-c.
9. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Girls on the Run International. 2022. Schedule I. Part II – Grants and Other Assistance to Domestic Organizations and Domestic Governments.
10. “Our People.” Girls on the Run. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://www.girlsontherun.org/about-us/our-people/.