Our Story
Our Mission
Girls Gotta Run Foundation invests in girls who use running and education to empower themselves and their communities.
Our Vision
We believe in a world where every girl can learn without fear, grow into her full strength, and lead her own future—sparking generational change through sustained belief in her education, her power, and her potential.
Where we began…
In 2006, Girls Gotta Run Inc. was established as the first and only 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting Ethiopian girls from under-resourced communities who were training to become professional runners. After reading a Washington Post article about girls in Ethiopia using running to transform their lives, retired Women’s Studies professor Dr. Patricia Ortman founded the all-volunteer organization with the simple mission of providing shoes and athletic gear for these determined young athletes.
In 2012, Kayla Nolan joined the organization as Executive Director and helped build Girls Gotta Run’s signature Athletic Scholarship Program in partnership with community members in Ethiopia. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its mission to invest in girls who use running and education to empower themselves and their communities. Over time, the program evolved to respond to the needs of the community, including the addition of the Mothers’ Savings Group and the Alumni Project to strengthen long-term sustainability and opportunity.
Since its inception, 98% of Girls Gotta Run participants have avoided early marriage, completed the program, and continued on to higher levels of education, creating new possibilities for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Where we are now
Since 2018, Girls Gotta Run Foundation has continued to refine and expand our signature Athletic Scholarship model to respond to the evolving needs of girls and families in Ethiopia. As the landscape shifts, so too does our approach. While new challenges continue to emerge, we remain creative, adaptable, and committed to developing solutions that support girls and strengthen their communities.
Today, our program directly supports 200 girls and 140 mothers each year, while indirectly reaching more than 1,400 community members annually.
At the heart of our work is a belief in self-determination—the power for each girl to shape her own life and future. We support every girl’s unique path by providing flexible, holistic support across her entire journey, rather than investing in just one piece of it.
In addition to running and academic support, our programs now include vocational training, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship opportunities that help girls and their families build sustainable livelihoods.
No matter how the landscape changes, our commitment remains the same: ensuring every girl has the support and opportunity to shape her own future.