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Charities

Charitable Contributions

The Holy Half aims to make a difference in our community on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. We are honored to support the unique and important mission of each of the following organizations for the 2026 Holy Half Marathon. The 2026 Holy Half Marathon & 10K was proud to raise over $60,000 for these incredible organizations making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families in our community and beyond.

  • Girls On The Run Michiana

  • Girls on the Run Michiana (GOTRM) primarily serves the girls and families of five counties in North-Central Indiana including St. Joseph County. Its mission is to inspire 3rd-8th grade girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident through a fun, interactive curriculum that creatively integrates running. Through Girls on the Run, small groups of girls are mentored by trained volunteer coaches in a 10-week afterschool program that directly and concretely addresses issues girls face in early adolescence, culminating in a vibrant community-wide 5K downtown South Bend. Serving 1,020 girls in 2024, Girls on the Run Michiana inspires participants "to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others".
  • Visit their website
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  • The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation

  • Founded in 2007 following the untimely death of Andrew McDonough, a bright student-athlete
    whose dream was to play soccer at the University of Notre Dame, The Andrew McDonough B+
    Foundation was established to make a positive impact in the childhood cancer community.
    Andrew’s blood type and his personal motto was “B+” - Be Positive, which encapsulates the
    primary objectives of the foundation. The B+ Foundation is committed to supporting families facing the difficult reality of childhood cancer through financial assistance, research funding, awareness campaigns, and the promotion of our overall message to ”Live Like Andrew”.
  • Visit their website

Center for the Homeless

The Center for the Homeless is the South Bend area’s largest residential facility for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Since opening in 1988, the Center has served more than 65,000 individuals and works to break the cycle of homelessness for men, women, children, and Veterans. Through a wide range of programs and resources, the Center provides guests with individualized support, including emergency services, education and career training, adult services, veteran services, and programs for children. Its mission is to break the cycle of homelessness, bring together diverse groups to recognize one another’s worth, dignity, and potential, and pioneer a service model worthy of replication.

A Rosie Place for Children

A Rosie Place for Children is Indiana’s only licensed, not-for-profit specialty hospital dedicated exclusively to serving medically fragile children and their families. Located in South Bend, A Rosie Place serves children from all 92 Indiana counties, providing skilled medical care and short-term overnight respite stays at no cost to families. While children receive compassionate, specialized care in a home-like environment, parents and caregivers are given the opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend time with other family members. Through respite care, family events, and a nurturing community, A Rosie Place strives to create a world of “YES” for medically fragile children and their families.

Visit their website

Become a Beneficiary

  • Interested in becoming a beneficiary of the 2027 Holy Half Marathon? In order to qualify, organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose mission aligns with the mission of the University of Notre Dame and the teachings of the Catholic Church, demonstrate a measurable positive impact on the community (with priority often given to organizations serving the South Bend/Elkhart region), and have visible support from Notre Dame students, faculty, or staff through volunteer opportunities, board service, or class projects.

    If your organization is interested in becoming a beneficiary for the 2027 Holy Half Marathon, please email holyhalf@nd.edu for more details. The application window closes September 15.