Compelling Evidence about the Program’s Impact

A recent independent study provides compelling evidence that Girls on the Run is highly effective at driving transformative and lasting change in the lives of third to fifth grade girls. The program’s intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities. Throughout the course of the ten-week program, girls learn critical life skills including managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping others and making intentional decisions. It is the combination of the research-based curriculum, trained coaches and a commitment to serve all girls that sets Girls on the Run apart from other after-school programs.

Click here for the News Release.

Thank you!
Girls on the Run of Central Illinois would like to thank our donors for their contributions to our growing program.

In May, we were awarded a grant from the Women’s Fund at the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. This grant was used to purchase the new GOTR Curriculum #2 for use in our fall season and beyond. This is the third grant we have received from the Women for Women giving circle and we are grateful to all their members for the support as we work to ensure girls can grow up happy, healthy and confident.

We were also one of the organizations to benefit from the 2017 Fat Ass 5k and Street Party for Charity. This event has raised and donated over $1,000,000 to local charities since 2008. Congratulations and thank you to this all-volunteer organization for your contribution!

Life comes at girls fast, help them find their pace!
You have a tremendous opportunity to help girls understand the true inner power they possess; to serve as the critical ‘fuel’ that propels them forward in life.  As a volunteer coach for Girls on the Run, you can unleash the strength, bravery, and limitless potential of girls right here in central Illinois.

Girls on the Run coaches are as unique as the girls they serve. Just like the girls, many are not runners. They are people just like YOU who take great pride and care in role modeling character, connectedness, and inner strength.

Girls on the Run coaches are truly a reflection of the girls we serve here in central Illinois. By being themselves, they prove that one person can really make a difference. And they have a lot of fun too!

There are over 400 girls waiting to participate in Girls on the Run in our area this Fall. They need you! We need you! Click here to complete our Volunteer Interest Form

Fall registration opens August 16!

Fall registration is right around corner and we want to help make this season spectacular for your girl! Not only will she get active, build confidence and lifelong skills, she will be making new friends and having so much FUN!

Online registration opens Wednesday, August 16th at 9am and will continue through Thursday, August 31st. Don’t forget, teams are limited to 15 participants and registration is on a first come, first serve basis. To see a list of fall sites, click here.

The season begins the week of September 5th and runs through mid-November. The Fall Community 5k will be held on Saturday, November 4th.

Interested in starting a Girls on the Run team at your school? We still have a few more spaces available for new teams! Call Lara at 217-726-9808 or click here to learn more!

Girls (on the Run) Just Wanna Have Fun 
Dust off your leg warmers and tease up your hair! Girls on the Run is going all 80’s at our Dueling Pianos event. You won’t want to miss this unique event as our “Cool 2 Duel” performers from Michigan will return to Springfield for one night only.

Friday, September 22, 2017
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., entertainment begins at 8:00

Firefighters Lake Club, 940 West Lake Shore Dr. in Springfield

Tickets are only $30 each or two for $50. Reserved tables of 8 are $250 and will SELL OUT FAST!

The event includes heavy appetizers and hours of laugh-out-loud entertainment! Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact us for details.

Click here to get your tickets now.

Share our Facebook event here!

We would like to thank our amazing partners at our local community foundations. Girls on the Run was honored to receive a Community Grants Award from the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln in 2016. The Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois awarded a $2,500 grant from their fund to support our Peoria teams. We also wanted to give a big energy award to the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation-Women to Women Giving Circle, who awarded $5,000 to assist with our expansion into the Bloomington/Normal area. Girls on the Run would like to thank all our donors, sponsors and partners for your help in making 2016 a successful year for our programs!

Join us Thursday, March 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Springfield Art Association for our very first Canvas & Cocktails Fundraiser! Bring a bottle of wine, cheeses, and desserts with you to savor while making art in the studio! Our class will be themed around “places you like to run” and you will be able to finish that night. Each person gets an inspirational photo to work from with one-on-one help from the instructor. Best yet, SAA will provide all art supplies! Be sure to register as this class is open to the public!

Sign up through the Art Association’s website here.

Do you know, or were you, one of the girls who participated in the early years of Girls on the Run? Those participants are the perfect age to apply for the new Girls on the Run of Central Illinois Founder’s Scholarship,for females who participated in GOTR when they were younger and are now graduating from high school.

The deadline is March 1 and the application is available through the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.Find out more and apply HERE.

The scholarship award is $1,300 toward expenses for an accredited college, university or vocational/technical school. As part of the application, the student must write an essay of 500 words or less explaining how her Girls on the Run experience influenced the choices she made in high school.
Examples include:

• Volunteering for a cause that matters to her;
  

  GOTRCI Founder, Deb Shultz

• Pursuing her dream job;
• Focusing on her physical health; and
• Living with inner confidence.

Deb Shultz, Girls on the Run of Central Illinois founder, began with an inaugural group of 13 girls. The program now includes nearly 1,200 participants in fourteen counties. In setting up the scholarship, Deb Shultz said, “This is another way to recognize girls who have done well and deserve it.”

Click here to apply.