WHAT IS A CHILDREN'S CHAMPION? An individual who chooses to fundraise for Nationwide Children's Hospital, usually participating in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.
WHAT IS A MARATHON MILE CHAMPION? An individual who has been treated at Nationwide Children's and is selected to represent all patients at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. Each year, there are 24 individual Marathon Mile Champions assigned to a mile along the course, one Remembrance Mile to honor those who are no longer with us, and one Encore Mile celebrating all the patients who have lined the course since 2012.
WHAT IS THE FUNDRAISING MINIMUM? As a Children's Champion, there is no minimum fundraising requirement because every gift matters. We do offer Fundraising Perks based on the amount raised by each individual to motivate you along the way. The $5 registration fee will go towards your fundraising goal to get your fundraising started!
HOW CAN MY SUPPORTERS MAKE A DONATION? Send them the link to your personal or team fundraising page. They can also search for your name or team name. If they prefer to write a check, it can be made out to Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation. Be sure to include the Children's Champions name in the memo or on a separate note so we know to which fundraiser to give credit to.
Checks may be mailed to:
Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation
Attn: Marathon Children's Champions
PO Box 16810
Columbus, OH 43216-6810
SOMEONE GAVE ME A CHECK, WHERE DO I SEND IT? All checks should be made payable to Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation and mailed to:
Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation
Attn: Marathon Children's Champions
PO Box 16810
Columbus, OH 43216-6810
Be sure to include the Children's Champions name in the memo or on a separate note if a form is not available.
ONE OF MY GENEROUS DONORS WOULD LIKE TO ASK THEIR EMPLOYER FOR A MATCHING GIFT - WHAT DO I DO? Many companies have matching gift programs for their employees. If your donor is not familiar with their employer's Matching Gift policy, they should check with their Human Resources Department. Nationwide Children's may have an established relationship with their employer to receive Matching Gifts. To assist them with submitting the Matching Gift request they may need the following information:
Nationwide Children's Hospital is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 organization.
Name: Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation
EIN: 31-1036370
As a participant, you may enter Matching Gifts as "Offline Gifts" on your personal fundraising page. Please enter “Matching Gift ORG NAME” as the recognition name when entering your Matching Gift as an Offline Gift.
ARE DONATIONS MADE ON MY BEHALF TAX DEDUCTIBLE? Yes, all donations in which goods or services are not received are 100% tax deductible. Registration fees for the event are not tax deductible.
The Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation serves to further the mission of Nationwide Children's Hospital while meeting donor philanthropic goals. Nationwide Children's Hospital is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 31-1036370)
WILL NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION ACKNOWLEDGE MY CONTRIBUTORS? The Foundation will send a gift receipt and acknowledgement letter to anyone who makes a donation on behalf of a Children’s Champion participant.
HOW CAN I CHECK MY PERSONAL FUNDRAISING TOTAL OR THAT OF MY TEAM? You track your fundraising efforts via the Participant Center. This tool allows you to log on and review your pledges any time of the day. When a donation is made online, it is processed automatically and added toward your fundraising goal. Donations made by check or money order will be processed and counted toward your total within 10 business days after it is received by Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation.
WHAT CAN NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S PROVIDE TO HELP ME WITH MY FUNDRAISING AND/OR EVENT?
- Consultation on fundraisers and events
- Approved use of our hospital name and logo, when appropriate
- Fundraising Toolkit
- Your own personalized fundraising page
- Resources for fundraiser organizers to educate their donors on the impact of their gift
- Letter of authorization to validate the authenticity of the fundraiser
- Tax ID or Employee Identification Number (EIN) for donation purposes
- Celebratory check presentations, when feasible
WHAT ARE ITEMS NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S CANNOT PROVIDE?
- Our sales tax exemption number
- Raffle license
- Insurance or liability coverage
- Mailing list of donors and/or vendors
- Nationwide Children’s stationery
- Funding or reimbursement of your expenses
- Celebrities, professional athletes, or team mascots for your fundraiser
- Publicity (newspaper, radio, television, etc.)
- Guaranteed attendance of physicians or hospital staff
- Guaranteed volunteer support at your fundraiser
- Guaranteed interactions with patients at the hospital or attendance at events
- Solicitation of businesses or vendors for support
HOW DO I NOMINATE A MILE CHAMPION? Mile Champion stories are collected throughout the year to participate in a wide variety of events. Marathon Mile Champion submissions are collected July - September for the next calendar year Marathon. You may share your patient story here.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO TURN IN DONATIONS? The deadline to turn in donations to receive Fundraising Perks is October 18. Of course, we welcome any and all additional donations through the end of the 2025.
WHERE DO I PICK UP MY FUNDRAISING PERKS? Children's Champions are eligible to earn Fundraising Perks based on the amount raised. Fundraising Perks can be picked up at the Race Expo held during the two days prior to the race.
