Running for a Better Oakland

Running for a Better Oakland (RBO) is a non-profit organization that encourages Kindergarten-12th grade Oakland students to develop healthy lifestyles through running. By providing training and encouragement, RBO helps students build confidence and set goals, giving them tools for achievement and hard work they can draw on in all areas of their lives.

RBO strives to build a tolerant, healthy, and prosperous community. Through the discipline and rigor of a structured running program, RBO’s goal is to create new relationships, establish trust, build self-esteem, and empower students, parents, and volunteers.

At the end of our Spring 2023 season, we celebrated 7 high school seniors and 6 alumni that earned scholarships through RBO! Watching from the crowd as our coaches spoke about the incredible accomplishments of each runner was a fantastic reminder of the transformational impact that dedicated coaching, meaningful athletic opportunities, and a community of support can have on young people. Thanks to the generous contributions of our supporters, RBO was able to distribute more than $20,000 to graduating seniors and RBO alumni this year!

Donations at Work:

• Running for a Better Oakland is tuition-free for all students, thanks to the generous donations of our community.
• Every student receives an RBO performance running shirt, new running shoes, healthy snacks, entries to local races, and relentless encouragement from our youth coaches, volunteers, and coaches as they progress through a structured running program.
• Students in their senior year of high school are eligible to receive scholarships for participation. RBO has provided graduating seniors with college & career scholarships every year since 2017.
• Whenever RBO travels to a race that is not close to Lake Merritt, we provide free transportation for students and their families so that every runner has an opportunity to participate.
• RBO also provides healthy snacks, experienced runner mentorship, professional coaching, nutritional education, and expert guest speakers.
• RBO helps volunteer coaches get USATF certification, as well as CPR, AED, and first aid certifications.

Three Ways to Participate:

Students: Students may participate in the program for free! Every student will receive an RBO performance running shirt, new running shoes, healthy snacks, entries to local races, and relentless encouragement from our youth coaches, volunteers, and coaches as they progress through a structured running program. We accept students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Students in their senior year of high school are eligible to receive scholarships for participation.

Volunteers: RBO Volunteers are parents, educators, running enthusiasts, neighbors, and anybody that wants to give back to their community by helping Oakland students train for local races! We are looking for volunteers that want to help our students reach their goals both in races and beyond the finish line. Volunteers will receive an RBO performance running shirt, free entries to local races, healthy snacks, and a community of unwavering positive support as they progress through a structured running program!

Youth Coaches:  RBO Youth Coaches (formerly known as Green Team) are high school volunteers that support RBO in a variety of ways while gaining career skills and experience. Our youth coaches arrive early to help set up practice, support our check-in process, and then run with our K-5 students once practice begins. Youth coaches are eligible to receive community service credit for participation.

For more information on RBO check out our website here: www.rboakland.org.

 

Running for a Better Oakland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with designated status from the IRS. Your monetary donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law. RBO's tax exemption number is #27-3509778.