John Hancock's Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program Rallies #GoodFeet Runners to Raise over $6.8 Million on CrowdRise

BOSTON, March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Financial is rallying the runners in its 2013 Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program in their attempt to break last year's record of raising $6.8 million in charitable donations for more than 100 non-profit organizations. There are close to 1,000 runners participating in John Hancock's program as part of the 117^th running of the historic race.

Last year, John Hancock began a partnership with CrowdRise, a leading crowd-sourced fundraising platform, to further enhance runners' fundraising campaigns with the benefits of fun and engaging support. Unique prizes like finish line seats and an iPad2, donated by John Hancock, contributed to a 29 percent increase in 2012 fundraising results over the previous year.

This year, in the spirit of CrowdRise fun, John Hancock's runners are putting their money where their feet are – by fundraising and encouraging friends, family and the general public to donate to marathon campaigns at crowdrise.com/2013bostonmarathon, and by showcasing their feet and the good they are doing in a video to raise money for important causes. To increase awareness, the company hopes people will watch at  http://youtu.be/BpfmPd_u2rw as they relate inspiring stories, then help spread the word about the runners' generosity and hard work for a chance to earn a piece of Marathon history. Anyone posting the hashtag #goodfeet on their social media channels between March 28 and 10:00 a.m., April 16, 2013 will be entered for a chance to win a commemorative street banner signed by the 2013 winners of the Boston Marathon.*

"John Hancock takes great pride in the community support generated through our sponsorship of the Boston Marathon," said Tom Crohan, AVP & Counsel, John Hancock. "Our partnership with CrowdRise provides a unique fundraising platform, and it has connected this special community of runners and organizations in a powerful way. We're encouraging everyone – runners, our non-profit partners, and those donating to causes on CrowdRise, to watch the video and enter the contest." 

"We're so psyched to continue to work with John Hancock," said CrowdRise Cofounder and CEO Robert Wolfe. "They have an incredible program that's emulated in both the running and non-profit communities and the fact that they're able to embrace a more modern approach to social fundraising and do it in such a cool way is an incredible testament to their company, vision and commitment to give back."

April 15^th will mark the 28th year of John Hancock's landmark sponsorship of the legendary Boston Marathon.  As principal sponsor, John Hancock created its own Marathon Non-Profit Program, donating guaranteed entry 'bibs' - the race numbers that runners would otherwise have to qualify for - to nonprofit organizations.  Non-profits use these entries to recruit runners, who must commit to raising a minimum of $5,000 for their cause.  Since John Hancock began sponsoring the Boston Marathon, the John Hancock program and the Boston Athletic Association's official charity program have combined to raise over $150 million dollars for community organizations. 

*John Hancock Life Insurance Company, (U.S.A.) is not a sponsor of this contest. Full contest rules are available at: http://www.crowdrise.com/cdn/promos/Rules_Boston_Marathon_2013_Signed_Banned_3_28_2013.pdf.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife Financial, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Assets under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$532 billion (US$535 billion) as at December 31, 2012. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

About CrowdRise.com

CrowdRise is a fundraising site dedicated to the idea that raising money for charity and giving back has got to be easy, fun and even a little crazy. CrowdRise's custom-built platform and game mechanics provide people, charities and events with a unique way to raise the most money for their causes and share compelling philanthropic stories with everyone they know. The site, which continues to launch the most compelling peer-to-peer fundraising technology, lets anyone turn their friends into an active base of donors for any cause.

CrowdRise topped Mashable's list of "Most Innovative Crowdfunding Platforms" and was named a "Top 25 Best Global Philanthropist" by Barron's. CrowdRise was founded by actor and activist Edward Norton, producer Shauna Robertson, and the founders of Moosejaw, Robert and Jeffrey Wolfe. Thousands of charitable organizations, events, celebrities and all sorts of normal human people have made CrowdRise their philanthropic base for giving back.

SOURCE John Hancock Financial