Non-Profit Partnerships at Road Races
Jennifer Heiner is a retail director at a New Jersey running company. Working closely with the company’s founders, Jennifer Heiner assists with the operation of three retail stores that furnish high-end performance apparel. This requires managing inventory control and hiring new associates during peak shopping periods. Additionally, she aids the company’s business development initiatives, which include hosting multiple races each year. In this capacity, she offers coaching, race directing, and organizational assistance, from ensuring aid stations are stocked to securing winners’ medals. Prior to her current position, Jennifer Heiner helped to coordinate foster families at a dog rescue in New Jersey. As part of her responsibilities, she worked to expand the organization’s impact by recruiting more foster families and volunteers. She also assisted in providing more than 100 dogs a month with foster homes by addressing immediate issues that might arise during the fostering experience. She prepared for her career by earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and ethics from Lehigh University. She earned multiple distinctions as a student, such as achieving the Faculty Invitational for Outstanding Scholars and membership in The National Scholars Honor Society.
Jennifer Heiner is an avid runner — she got into the sport after being a lifelong athlete without an outlet after organized sports in school were over. Now that COVID is waning and more and more races are being put on again, Jennifer has gotten involved with another NYC area running group, NYCRUNS, and is helping with race day events and customer service questions.
Being able to give back to the running community is a great way to be involved in the sport on a different level, and to give back to other runners. Both NYCRUNS and New York Road Runners have great opportunities to give back to the running community, regardless of whether you are a runner or not!
The various boroughs of New York City also each have their own personality and flair — and it is fun to run in each of them to see the neighborhoods and gain some local culture. Brooklyn especially draws many runners to Prospect Park, and the unique neighborhoods make this borough a fun backdrop for the NYCRUNS Brookyln Half Marathon, held every April.
This year, there will be a handful of non-profit groups partnering up with the team at NYCRUNS to show their support both as runners and volunteers at the event, set for April 28, 2024. This also ensures that the non-profits receive charitable donations for their efforts. Here are some to highlight:
The THANC Foundation is committed to supporting research and education in the early detection and treatment of thyroid and head and neck cancer; to advancing new therapeutic approaches; and to alleviating the suffering and functional impairment of patients who undergo treatment.
Bridging Tech is addressing the digital divide and empowering K-12 students affected by homelessness/housing insecurity in the United States through technology and educational opportunities.
The Stella Adler Studio of Acting is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that nurtures theatre artists and audiences who value humanity, while providing art and education to the greater community. In addition to a world-renowned professional conservatory, the Studio offers multiple free programs that provide transformative educational experiences to New York’s most underserved citizens, like those impacted by poverty and who are justice-involved.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
Brooklyn Defender Services is a public defense office whose mission is to provide outstanding representation and advocacy free of cost to people facing loss of freedom, family separation and other serious legal harms by the government.
