For the second year, NFTE Chicago is assembling a team of participants for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 10, 2010. TEAM NFTE commits to raising a minimum of $600 while supporting entrepreneurship education programs within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). NFTE is a "mini-MBA" program for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high school students that engages them in school, teaches them about the market economy and the business plan creation process. Through participation in our program, NFTE students begin to think about school and learning as an "opportunity" rather than an "obligation" which leads them to become opportunity obsessed and focused on their education and career aspirations.

50% of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students do not graduate. Help provide a program that will show students why school and learning is relevant to their lives and futures. TEAM NFTE will support you as you train, fundraise and give our students a real example of what it takes to set and achieve meaningful goals!

Amenities
NFTE is committed to helping our TEAM NFTE athletes accomplish all of their training and fundraising goals. We are honored to have you on board helping more young people find their pathway to prosperity.

While raising a minimum of $600, runners receive the following amenities:
• 18-week Team Training Program led by CARA (Chicago Area Runner's Association), the largest running organization in the Midwest (for full marathon runners). NFTE will cover 50% of the cost.
• Complimentary group runs with pace leaders though NIKE with many locations throughout Chicago
• Fundraising guide full of fun and easy ideas to raise money
• Giveaways for top TEAM NFTE fundraisers
• Regular emails with updates on the team's successes, NFTE student highlights, training tips and fundraising tips
• TEAM NFTE dry-fit race shirt (last year Lululemon sponsored TEAM NFTE!)
• Personalized Webpage for online fundraising
• Race day cheer squad at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon consisting of your friends, family and NFTE students
• Pre-marathon pasta dinner (2009 dinner was hosted at Mia Francesca)
• Access to CARA's Race day tent in Charity Village equipped with all your race day needs, such as first-aid supplies, massages, private port-a-potties, water/Gatorade, snacks, and a post-race party for team members and their friends and family

Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in joining, but are not ready to run 26.2 miles, there are many ways that you can become involved in meaningful ways with TEAM NFTE. We are always seeking volunteers to help recruit runners for our team, cheer on runners on race day or help to organize events or incentives for the team throughout the training process. In addition, if you would like to fundraise for TEAM NFTE as a volunteer or if you are interested in participating in another race, NFTE can still create a personalized fundraising page for you. For more information, please contact Lauren McLaughlin.

We are extremely grateful to those running on NFTE Chicago’s behalf and we have created a sliding scale of thank—you gifts for team members reaching fundraising benchmarks between $600 and $3,000. For more information about the tokens of our appreciation, please visit the Team NFTE Incentive and Thank You Gift Tiers page.

Team Member Timeline

*Other important dates will be posted here as our plans finalize.

Important: If you withdraw from your race/event for any reason (injury, expenses, race cancellation, etc.) you are still liable for meeting your fundraising minimum to NFTE Chicago. Additionally, funds are not transferable from one TEAM NFTE member to another. Members are asked to reach their minimum fundraising commitment level approximately one month prior to their event.

WHO DO I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?

Lauren McLaughlin
Deputy Director
NFTE Chicago
Phone: 773.938.8702
Email: lauren.mclaughlin@nfte.com