Janus Capital Group Inc has announced that the 273 Ironman triathletes who participated in the 2008 Janus Charity Challenge raised more than US$7.8 million for 201 charitable organisations.
Established in 2001, the Janus Charity Challenge harnesses the inspiration that emanates from Ironman to make a difference in communities around the globe. It is a unique fundraising programme that encourages Ironman athletes to raise money for non-profit organisations. Unlike most other fundraising programmes, there is no pre-determined charity. Instead, participants are able to raise money for the non-profit cause that he or she is most passionate about.
Janus not only provides triathletes with a wide range of fundraising resources, but also makes additional donations, totalling more than US$300,000 (€230,000) per year, to the non-profit groups chosen by the top 50 fundraisers at each of the seven Ironman races it sponsors.
The Janus Charity Challenge has raised approximately US$34.5 million (€26.6 million) for hundreds of charitable organisations since the programme’s inception, according to Casey Cortese, Director of Corporate Sponsorships at Janus. “Completing an Ironman is a daunting enough task,” said Cortese. “That these athletes choose to make their race about more than just crossing the finish line is truly admirable. In these economic times, now, more than ever, this programme will mean so much for the charities benefiting from our athletes’ efforts.”
Founded in 1969, Denver-based Janus Capital Group Inc is an asset management firm that specialises in risk-managed and value investment strategies. At the end of December 2008, Janus managed US$123.5 billion (€95.3 billion) in assets for more than four million shareholders, clients and institutions around the globe. Outside the US, Janus has offices in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore.
