The Distance We Go for Our Girls 

More than a decade ago, Kari and Eric Gribble were searching for a place where their daughter, Bel, could find her voice and stand a little taller. Girls on the Run wasn’t offered in the Spring Green District —but that didn’t stop them. They made the drive to Sunset Ridge, Cross Plains, and West Middleton, and watched Bel walk into rooms full of strangers and walk out with a confidence they had always hoped she’d discover.

“She was with students she didn’t know, which was very good for her,” Kari recalls. “I think back to that first 5K—the aunts, the uncles, the whole family coming together. It became part of who we are.”

In those miles, something deeper took root: Girls on the Run didn’t just shape Bel. It shaped the Gribbles.

From Volunteers to Visionaries 

The Gribbles didn’t remain on the sidelines for long. Eric laced up his shoes and ran beside the girls. The whole family volunteered. They witnessed firsthand the impact of the curriculum, the power of the community, and the magic that happens when girls realize they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

So when it came time to update their estate plan, the question wasn’t whether they would include Girls on the Run—it was how they could ensure the mission keeps reaching new generations. They looked for causes that were meaningful, impactful, and aligned with their values. 

"Girls on the Run checks all of those boxes for us," Kari says. "It’s about ensuring that the confidence Bel found is available to every girl, long into the future."

Their legacy gift became an extension of the miles they had already traveled—an investment in courage, joy, and possibility.

A New Milestone: The Power of Saying "Yes" Out Loud 

Although the Gribbles completed their estate plan years ago, Kari—now working in philanthropy—realized something important: keeping their gift private meant Girls on the Run couldn’t dream with them. By choosing to share and formally document their intentions, Kari and Eric became the first to open the door for others.

“Now that I’m in philanthropy, I know how important it is to share those intentions,” she says. Today, their openness isn’t just a gift for the future—it gives Girls on the Run the confidence to plan boldly right now.

Their legacy doesn’t just secure tomorrow—it sparks a movement today.

Are we already in your heart and your head?

Many supporters have already included Girls on the Run in their plans—but we may not know yet. Sharing your intentions allows us to honor your generosity and ensure your future gift uplifts girls exactly as you envision.

If Girls on the Run is already part of your legacy, we would love to welcome you into our circle of future‑builders.

Please contact Mary Salisbury at mary.salisbury@girlsontherun.org or 608‑831‑4687.
Your story—like the Gribbles’—can inspire others to say “yes” to tomorrow.