Apply to be Charity of the Year
Overview
Applications for 2027 are now open! The deadline to apply is 17:00 on 12 May 2025.
We are looking to appoint a charity, or partnership of charities, to fund an innovative project that will create a lasting impact for its beneficiaries. We’re interested in projects that will be financially sustainable and deliver long-term benefits to the organisation.
Your charity must have:
- Evidence of successful stewardship of a minimum of 100 participants either in a previous London Marathon or another mass participation event.
- Plans that demonstrate your ability to fundraise at least £1 million from the 2027 COTY partnership (this is based on the 250 charity places provided and an effective campaign that will convert a number of own-place participants).
Apply now
What happens next?
After reviewing all applications, shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their proposals to a panel.
We will inform all applicants of their selection status by 2 June 2025.
The panel presentations are expected to be held online during the week starting 21 July 2025.
What does the 2027 Charity of the Year receive?
- 250 guaranteed places at ballot price in 2027, plus 50 in 2028, 25 in 2029 and 10 in 2030. These places are in addition to any places your charity may already hold.
- Exclusive use of the title ‘Charity of the Year’ in the 12 months from the end of the 2026 event up to the 2027 event.
- Other benefits include social media posts, invitations to media functions, introductions to event sponsors, support from our Communications Team and more.
- The successful charity will also be invited to attend regular planning meetings and shadow the 2026 COTY in the run-up to the 2026 TCS London Marathon.
Previous Charities of the Year
- 2010: CLIC Sargent
- 2011: Oxfam
- 2012: Team PB (Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care)
- 2013: YouthNet and Age UK
- 2014: Anthony Nolan
- 2015: Cancer Research UK
- 2016: NSPCC
- 2017: The Royal Foundation's Heads Together Campaign
- 2018: Teenage Cancer Trust
- 2019: The Dementia Revolution (Alzheimer's Society & Alzheimer's Research UK)
- 2020: Mencap
- 2021: Macmillan
- 2022: British Heart Foundation
- 2023: Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity
- 2024: Samaritans
- 2025: Pancreatic Cancer UK
Charities play a crucial part in the TCS London Marathon
The TCS London Marathon is the world’s most successful one-day annual fundraising event, having raised well over £1 billion for thousands of charities since its first edition in 1981. Charities and their supporters play a crucial part in the event's ongoing success.
