Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How and when do I sign up for the marathon?
Once accepted to the Mercy Home Heroes team for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, you will still need to complete your registration with the marathon. Once a Hero has raised or donated $250 (or referred someone to the team and received the $250 fundraising credit), they will receive our team’s unique link to marathon registration. This spot has already been paid for by Mercy Home. Although our team’s deadline is not until July 15, spots will be filled on a first-come, first served basis. In 2024, we filled all available spots by April.
Q. What is the referral program?
All Heroes are eligible for a $250 fundraising credit for each NEW Hero they bring onto the team. Once you set-up your fundraising page, you will receive a confirmation email with a referral link to share with your friends and family. This link will also be available when you login to your fundraising account. In order to receive the $250 credit for referrals, they must apply using this link.
Q. What is my fundraising minimum?
For those who secured an entry before the November 15 lottery deadline, the minimum is $1,500. For those who receive a post-lottery drawing entry, the minimum is $2100. Heroes who secure their own entry will be asked to raise at least $750. Remember, these numbers are minimums and not goals, and everyone knows, Heroes don't just do the minimum!
Q. Is there any incentive for reaching or exceeding my minimum?
Yes. Heroes who raise at least $500 over the minimum will be eligible for incentive prizes. Prizes get better as you exceed your minimum by $1000, $3500 and $7500. A list of this year’s incentive prizes will be announced in the Heroes eNews in May.
Q. If I create or join a team, does the team have a fundraising goal or does each individual have to fundraise their minimum?
Each Hero is responsible for their own minimums. Donations may also be given to the team as a whole and split between each team member. But the total for each individual must meet or exceed their individual minimum. In setting a team goal, make it higher than the sum of the minimum for each individual team member, helps keep everyone motivated.
Q. How do my supporters make a donation?
The preferred method is by credit card on the fundraising webpage you set up at the time of registration. To locate your page, use the search box at the top of the page. If a donor wants to write a check, it should be written to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls and have your name and marathon in the memo line. Checks should be sent to: Mercy Home for Boys & Girls Attn: Mary Connolly/Marathon 1140 West Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60607
Q. What if someone donates cash?
If they want a tax receipt and acknowledgement of the gift, the best method is for you to write a check and attach their information to it.
Q. Do matching gifts count toward my minimum?
Because every company distributes matching gifts differently, we suggest you use them to supplement your fundraising rather than relying on them. Be assured that gifts will be credited to you once we have confirmation that they have been approved by the company and payment is being processed.
Q. When does CARA training start and where can I get more info?
CARA’s 2025 Summer Marathon Training begins the week of June 9. Heroes who achieve a minimum of $400 towards their overall fundraising minimum, will receive an invitation for complementary participation in CARA training. You will have the option for virtual, virtual local (includes the Ready2Run 20 Miler on September 21, 2025), or in-person group training. The deadline to achieve this fundraising milestone is July 10. The first weekend long run group training will be June 14-15. More information is available at cararuns.org.
Q. Can I use Facebook or Instagram to collect donations?
When you joined our team, a fundraising page was automatically set up for you. This is the only vehicle through which you should be collecting online donations. You can share this link on Facebook and LinkedIn, in your Instagram bio, and through any other social media platforms. Please do not set up a separate fundraiser on any of these platforms. We have no way of tracking those gifts, properly acknowledging donors, or giving you credit for them. Only the totals shown on your official Mercy Home Heroes fundraising page will count toward your fundraising minimum. Thank you for your understanding. Note, we do manually add all checks and company matches to your page.
Q. Did you say there was someplace I could find kids stories to share with my prospective donors?
Our Stories highlight many of the successes of the youth who have passed through our doors. These are on our website, are public, and can be included in emails, text messages and shared on social media. The Mercy Home YouTube Channel also has a playlist called Stories of Our Residents which contains some very moving videos to tug at the heart strings of donors and inspire you as well.
Q. I have a donor who is looking for more statistics. Where can I find that?
Some donors need to know the numbers. We publish Mercy Home By The Numbers annually which outlines our program statistics and helps donors make an informed decision. Download Mercy Home By the Numbers 12.12.2023.pdf [Updated version will be available in January 2025]
Q. Can I work with a restaurant or retailer to set up a fundraiser where a portion of sales can go to my marathon fundraiser?
Similarly to social media fundraisers, we don’t recommend doing anything where the money goes through a third party. We have no way of knowing who gave or how much they gave, nor do we have a way of acknowledging those individuals for their generosity. Additionally, the business can provide the donation at their discretion and there’s no guarantee the check will arrive by the marathon fundraising deadline.
Q. How do I send a thank you to my donors?
When you sign into your fundraising page, you'll see a list of all donors on your donations page and can email a thank you right from there.
Q. What is the deadline for my minimum fundraising commitment?
The deadline to meet your fundraising commitment is the Tuesday before the Chicago Marathon, October 7, 2025.
Q. What if I don't meet my minimum by the deadline?
You MUST be at your minimum by the deadline. Your credit card will be charged for any balance at that time. If we are unable to process the charge, your race bib will be pulled and you will be required to settle your balance when you arrive at the Expo to obtain your race bib. If you do not pick-up your bib (decided not to run the marathon), you will be able to continue fundraising until October 31 and will then be billed for any remaining balance.
Q. What is a bib pull?
The Chicago Marathon will ask all charities to submit a list of runners who haven't reached their fundraising minimum by Friday, September 26. If you have not fulfilled your fundraising minimum and we were unable to charge your credit card for any remaining balance, you will remain on this "bib pull" list and must come to the Mercy Home Heroes booth at the Expo to settle up and obtain a signature to receive your bib for the race. Failure to do so means you will not be allowed to participate in the race.
Q. How does Hero HQ work?
An invitation will be sent to you via email a few weeks before the race to sign up yourself and any guests that will join you on race day. Doors will open at 5:30 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. Gear check, real restrooms and some breakfast items will be provided. After the race, runners will receive access to our buffet, beverages, and our recovery rooms.
Family members can also join in lunch for an additional fee.
Social