Mini with a Meaning Program

The Mini with a Meaning program connects non-profit organizations to passionate participants of the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K, providing a more meaningful experience by raising awareness and funds in support of the local community and beyond. Not to mention, all Mini-Marathon and 5K registrations support the 500 Festival’s free youth and educational programming.

Participants may further their impact within the community by joining a Mini with a Meaning team! View our official teams below, contact their Team Captain to join, and start fundraising as you train.

Team registration for the 2027 Mini with a Meaning Program will close on April 25, 2027, 11:59 pm EST.

Registration for an individual to join a Mini with a Meaning team is May 2, 2027, 11:59 pm EST.

How Do I Get My Nonprofit Involved?

Through the Mini-Marathon and 5K, the 500 Festival offers non-profit organizations the opportunity to participate as a team through the Mini with a Meaning Program to raise awareness and funds in support of their organization and participate together in the Mini-Marathon and 5K.

Organizations may utilize the fundraising platform of their choice and 100% of the proceeds will go to the respective non-profit organization. Utilize this unique fundraising opportunity to further your organization’s mission and join today!

  • Step 1. Choose a Team Captain: Each non-profit organization will need a Team Captain to lead their team fundraiser and to correspond with the 500 Festival.
  • Step 2. Enroll Organization: The Team Captain will fill out an application form here. The 500 Festival will then provide the Team Captain with further team and registration information if accepted.

  • Step 3. Create Online Fundraiser: The Team Captain will create a customized online fundraiser specific to the 2026 IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and the 2024 Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K. Full details to be provided by the 500 Festival.

  • Step 4. Get Fundraising and Build Your Team!  The Team Captain will promote team registration and fundraising efforts to staff, volunteers, family, and friends. Continue to build your team and motivate participants as they train for the Greatest Spectacle in Running!

“Our partnership with the Mini with a Meaning program has not only helped to raise funds to further our mission, it has increased awareness about our organization in the running community and beyond. When we attend other events, participants recognize us and know they saw us at the Indy Mini!”

– Ainsley’s Angels Team Captain

2026 Mini with a Meaning​ Teams

Ainsley’s Angels of America believes in a vision of Inclusion Without Limits! Upholding our values and striving to educate, advocate, and celebrate inclusive communities while connecting everyone through empowerment and belonging is at the forefront of all we do.

Instagram | Facebook

Do What You Love to End ALZ inspires runners to turn miles into meaning by raising awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. Every stride supports groundbreaking research, life-changing care, and hope for families facing Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Instagram | Facebook

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention empowers care professionals through compassion, advocacy, and resources that promote financial stability and overall well-being.

With one simple application, we help you overcome life’s financial challenges.

Instagram | Facebook

The Black Hat Society is a nonprofit established in 2016 originally to entertain during the Halloween festival, but now entertains itself and hosts community events and raises money for local charities.

Instagram | Facebook

Breakthrough T1D is the leading global organization funding type one diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to find cures for T1D and make the everyday lives of those affected by it easier. As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, Breakthrough T1D has funded over $2.5 billion in research funding since 1970.

Instagram | Facebook

Hailey’s Army for Children, Inc. exists to protect children and defend their future through relentless online safety advocacy, prevention training, and education that reflect the realities of today’s digital world. They honor Hailey’s legacy by awarding scholarships that empower young people to lead with courage, kindness, and purpose and are building an army that protects children, strengthens families, and creates safer communities for generations to come.

Instagram | Facebook

Help Over Hurdles empowers care professionals through compassion, advocacy, and resources that promote financial stability and overall well-being.

With one simple application, we help you overcome life’s financial challenges.

Facebook

Horizon International is a 501c3 dedicated to creating a world of hope through African orphans. We primarily do this through child sponsorships, short term mission trips, and advocacy. We serve children in Ethiopia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Instagram | Facebook

Mission Without Borders is focused on providing material aid and spiritual support to some of the most vulnerable families in six of the poorest countries in Eastern Europe.

Instagram | Facebook

More Than Miles XC is a 501(c)(3) grassroots running collective fueling at-promise Older Youth in Indianapolis and beyond — to step into their power — one Mile at a time; through a shared love of and passion for Running + Fitness.

Instagram | Facebook

New Shoe Day is on a mission to end shoe insecurity in Indiana, so all of our youth have access to safe footwear that empowers them to thrive. We see an Indiana where no child is limited by a lack of proper footwear and every young person has access, confidence, and dignity to fully engage in school, play, and community life.

Instagram | Facebook

PSC Partners Seeking a Cure runs in honor of Brody, an 18-year-old photographer and storyteller who has spent his life capturing moments of human joy within his community. He has been courageously battling Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Through this race, his friends aim to raise awareness, support research, and turn his story into hope for others facing this disease, while also helping him return to his college journey at Arizona State University to pursue photography.

Instagram | Facebook

Water For People exists to promote the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all, and sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments. We believe in a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.

Instagram | Facebook

Within Thin Lines’ mission is to provide perseverance through communication and understanding; guidance through resources and education; and health advocacy through influence and coaching.

The survivability of our First Responders and members of our Military Communities is our number one objective. Our return to the Indy Mini will be dedicated to a Veteran family affected by suicide. With your help, our fundraising goal will be dedicated to this local Indiana family with housing needs since the loss of their Veteran family member. Our attendance signifies that no Veteran walks alone.

Instagram

Questions?

For any questions about how to get involved with the Mini with a Meaning Program, please contact info@500festival.com

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Be part of the community and get insider news, stories, deals, and ways to get involved, whether you’re running or cheering!

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Be part of the community and get insider news, stories, deals, and ways to get involved, whether you’re running or cheering!