Dream Big!, a Bank of America Boston Marathon® Official Charity Program Partner, Provides Girls and Young Women from Economically Disadvantaged Communities with the Equipment, Athletic Footwear, Sports Attire, Training and Program Fees Needed to Participate in Sports and Physical Activities.
NEWTON, MA, April 20, 2026 – Every day, girls and young women in need are left on the sidelines—or step onto a field, court or track without the proper footwear, equipment, sports attire or training. Imagine trying to run the Boston Marathon without the right shoes, clothing or resources to prepare.
On April 20, the 15 inspirational members of the Dream Big! Boston Marathon Team took on the 130th Boston Marathon® to help break down the economic barriers preventing thousands of girls and young women from experiencing the life-changing benefits of sports.
After months of early-morning training runs, personal sacrifices and dedicated fundraising, all 15 runners proudly crossed the finish line on Boylston Street. Yet their greatest accomplishment extended far beyond the 26.2-mile course. Together, they raised more than $216,000—turning every mile, every challenge and every step toward the finish line into opportunities for girls and young women to step off the sidelines and pursue their own athletic dreams.
A proud member of the Bank of America Boston Marathon® Official Charity Program since 2013, Dream Big! will use the funds to provide girls and young women from economically disadvantaged communities with new equipment, athletic footwear, uniforms, sports attire, program fees, college showcase scholarships and leadership opportunities. Through their extraordinary commitment both on and off the course, the 2026 Dream Big! Marathon Team showed what is possible when determination is combined with purpose—and inspired the next generation of female athletes to dream big and achieve bigger.
https://www.givengain.com/campaign/2026-dream-big-boston-marathon-team
“Participation in sports gives girls the strength, self-esteem and tools they need to live healthy, active and successful lives,” Linda Driscoll, Founder, President & CEO, said. Unfortunately, the cost of equipment, sports attire, pregram fees and athletic footwear can severely limit a girl’s involvement in sports. We are so grateful to the B.A.A. for selecting Dream Big! as a Boston Marathon® Official Charity Partner since 2013; this opportunity has been extremely significant for an organization such as Dream Big!, as it has allowed us to go from impacting 1,500 girls, young women and elementary school children in 2013 to over 17,000 last year. This could not have been done without the funds raised by the fifteen Dream Big! Boston Marathon Team members and all of their friends, family members and colleagues that supported them,” says Driscoll.
Founded in 2010, Dream Big!’s mission is to help girls achieve their dreams by providing them with the basic items, fees and training needed to participate in sports and physical activities that contribute to their health, education and overall well-being. Dream Big! works to ensure that all girls, regardless of socio-economic background, have the equipment, uniforms, athletic footwear, program fees, sports attire, training expenses, sports camp scholarships, and supplies they need to participate in sports and physical activities. Over sixteen years, since the organization was founded in 2010, Dream Big! programs have had a direct, positive impact on more than 125,000 girls, young women and elementary school children in need.
To learn more, donate, volunteer, run an equipment drive or benefit from Dream Big!, visit www.dream-big.org or e-mail us at info@dream-big.org. Please ‘Like’ our Facebook page
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“A girl who learns the discipline of athletics, who knows the joy of winning and finds the strength to accept defeat with grace is a girl who will be a strong woman. I'm willing to bet that same girl will always Dream Big!”
