Girls on the Run Memphis (GOTR Memphis) is proud to be the recipient of a 2023-2024 St. Mary’s Community Fund Grant. This grant will help provide scholarship funding for close to 40 girls, removing the financial barrier to participating in our program at schools and community centers across Memphis.

Established in 1998, the St. Mary's Community Fund is a student-run organization that has granted over $500,000 to over 50 local agencies directly benefiting Mid-South children. It also promotes community service and provides experiences for young women to learn first-hand about philanthropy and grant making.

Each member involved in St. Mary's Community Fund volunteers through hands-on service within the funded agencies. In addition, they participate in the entire grants process. By reading grant applications, presenting them at monthly committee meetings, organizing site visits, and choosing reliable and deserving grant recipients, the girls learn the process of philanthropy as well as its important effect in the community.

St. Mary’s girls live the values at the heart of the Community Fund, serving as amazing  volunteers for Girls on the Run Memphis since our founding in 2018. Several high school students have dedicated countless hours each school year as Junior Coaches, helping facilitate our program and mentor girls at various program sites. SMS students have taken on leadership roles at our 5K committee and have become spokeswomen for GOTR Memphis. Many SMS girls volunteer at the Celebratory 5K, as running buddies or leaders of various activities.  

St. Mary's empowers young women to recognize their responsibility to build a better world. That begins with a commitment to making an impact in their own community- in Memphis. Girls on the Run is honored to be a vehicle for them