Nonprofit Spotlight
The Spotlight in June is on Girls on the Run!
The Girls on the Run Mission Statement:
We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan is a non-profit that serves five counties in southeastern Michigan – Washtenaw, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston and Monroe. The organization improves the well-being of girls through a suite of research-based, intentionally designed curricula with compelling evidence of impact. The program is led by trained volunteer coaches and explores core topics relevant to 8-14 year-old girls, including managing emotions, resolving conflict and fostering friendships. Each program participant receives sixteen life skills lessons, a cinch sack, program shirt, water bottle, commemorative bib, finishers medal, program keepsake and activity journal. The program culminates with girls positively impacting the world around them through a community impact project and completing a celebratory, non-competitive 5K. It is through these two essential components that girls are first able to apply the life skills learned in the program and gain critical confidence through accomplishment, as well as demonstrate their enhanced physical activity skills.
An external longitudinal study of Girls on the Run, published in Pediatric Science, showcases that the program has a positive impact on all girls who participate, and the greatest impact on girls who begin the season less physically active and with lower perceptions of their physical, social and emotional competencies. Girls on the Run is committed to removing barriers to participation, financial and otherwise. Their Star Power Initiative is designed to be an upstream solution to help mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences in our community’s most economically and systematically disadvantaged neighborhoods. This initiative provides program scholarships, athletic shoes, healthy snacks, coach stipends and other resources needed to ensure youth can fully access and joyfully engage in their programming.
Donate directly to Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan
Details
Events to support Girls on the Run
Zingerman's Mail Order Warehouse Shop Fundraiser Sale
June 13, 2025
9:00 am –9:00 pm
Come to Zingerman's Mail Order's Warehouse Shop at 710 Phoenix Drive in Ann Arbor on Friday, June 13th! All of the sales that day from the in-person shop will be donated to Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan! You'll find all sorts of fun products, some made by Zingerman's and some that are just favorites of ours from around the world. There's everything from cheeses to olive oils, chocolates to soaps! Perfect for finding some special gifts and hard to find treats. The shop is open from 9am to 9pm and every penny of sales there that day will be donated to Girls on the Run. Come down and get some great deals for a fantastic cause!
What's Provided
Within their empowering programming, Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan has served more than 27,000 local girls and provided need-based scholarships to almost 9,000 participants. Last year alone, they awarded $125,706 in financial aid to 946 families, as well as athletic wear and shoes to 305 children in need.
How to Support
Interested in supporting Girls on the Run?
Visit their website (girlsontherunsemi.org) to learn how to become a sponsor, make a donation, volunteer as a coach or event committee member.
Sponsor link: https://www.girlsontherunsemi.org/partner
Donation link: https://www.girlsontherunsemi.org/donate
Sign up to volunteer as a coach: https://www.girlsontherunsemi.org/coach
Join the event committee: https://www.pinwheel.us/r/KTgMV6K
Volunteering
Girls on the Run volunteer coaches give girls a safe, joyful place to grow and build their resilience. As a coach, you'll get to mentor children as they develop valuable life skills through eight weeks of interactive lessons. No running or coaching experience needed! They provide the training, supplies, support and inspiration! Stipends and athletic shoes are available to volunteers in need. To learn more visit https://www.girlsontherunsemi.org/coach.
Aren’t available to coach? Consider volunteering on their event committee or bringing a group to volunteer at one of their events! Email [email protected] for more information.
Why Zing Loves GotR
There's such a sense of empowerment in going for a run, even if you're not the fastest runner, and honestly even if you're only able to walk or use assistance or mobility device to get around. There's something about moving yourself forward, with your goals being perhaps to surpass your own personal records, simply spend time outside, get some exercise, or maybe bond with others who might join you. Even though we can build community through this type of athleticism, there's something so internal about it, so self-charged and therapeutic. It's a wonderful thing to instill in younger generations the access and encouragement to take the first steps towards finding yourself in this way, particularly for young girls who have historically not necessarily been given the support to enhance these skills. Zingerman's is proud to be a supporter of the work that Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan is doing for so many youth in our community and look forward to many years ahead of connection.
Donate directly to Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan