Our Story

Marathon was founded by Dan Blaufus, an attorney at NIKE who was troubled by rising tuition costs and reductions in federal and state aid for higher education. Driven to action by the tragic events of 9/11, Dan decided to develop a simple yet effective program that would inspire ordinary citizens to act. Dan, his wife and three other couples officially launched Marathon Education Partners on September 11, 2002.

Our Guiding Principals

We believe that opportunity can change a life.

We desire to share experience and good fortune with kids who have less.

We believe in the importance of education to the person a child becomes.

We desire to have a direct, long-term impact on the life of a child.

We believe in the need to act, not just discuss.

We desire to expand a child’s view of the possible.

We believe that a Partner’s participation will benefit the Partner as much or more than the Scholar.