The Citizens Foundation, USA
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Longtime TCF supporter Mike Nithavrianakis is taking on a series of international marathons to raise $1 million for children’s education in Pakistan
Former British diplomat Mike Nithavrianakis is dedicating his 2026 marathon season to advancing children’s education in Pakistan through the Global Run for Education. The campaign aims to raise $1 million in support of The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and expand access to quality education for children from underserved communities.
Nithavrianakis has already completed the Milan Marathon on April 12, the London Marathon on April 26, and the Sydney Marathon on August 30. His campaign will continue with the Chicago Marathon on October 11 and the New York City Marathon on November 1, before culminating in Karachi on January 3, 2027.
The campaign builds on a relationship with TCF that began during Nithavrianakis’s diplomatic service in Pakistan. While serving as Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi and Trade Director for Pakistan for the British Government from 2019 to 2022, he visited a TCF school and saw firsthand both the scale of Pakistan’s education challenge and what access to quality education could make possible.
“My first school visit left a deep imprint,” Nithavrianakis said. “I have many lasting impressions, but the clearest memory is of interacting with a group of quite young pupils who were so engrossed that one could literally see their thirst for learning and knowledge.”
Nithavrianakis later combined his passion for running with fundraising for TCF. During his posting in Pakistan, he took on the London and Manchester Marathons within a week of each other, helping raise more than $350,000 to fund a new TCF campus in Matiari District, Sindh. TCF School, The Nithavrianakis Campus, now carries his family name.
The 2026 Global Run for Education builds on that earlier effort at a time when approximately 25.2 million children in Pakistan remain out of school. Based on TCF’s annual cost of educating one student, the campaign’s $1 million goal is equivalent to supporting roughly 6,000 students for a full academic year.
Economic hardship and limited access to affordable, quality schools continue to keep millions of children out of classrooms across Pakistan. TCF works to change that by bringing education closer to underserved communities with its 2,261 school units and expanding opportunities for girls who often face the greatest barriers to staying in school.
Its model also creates opportunities for women. TCF’s all-female faculty of 16,500 teachers provides local employment and helps build confidence among families sending their daughters to school. By combining access to education with women’s participation in the workforce, TCF aims to strengthen both individual opportunity and communities over the long term.
The Citizens Foundation, USA (TCF-USA) supports TCF’s education programs and initiatives in Pakistan.
“Mike’s campaign shows how a personal commitment can invite people around the world to take part in lasting change,” said Salman Hasan, CEO of TCF-USA. “Every mile draws attention to children who are still waiting for a classroom, and every donation helps create a real educational opportunity.”
Given the strong support for TCF across the United States, Nithavrianakis and Hasan are also considering how future race entries could help reach new supporters in 2027 and beyond.
For Nithavrianakis, the campaign remains rooted in a simple belief about opportunity.
“All any parent can hope for in life is that their child is given the same opportunities as others,” he said. “With TCF the sky’s the limit.”
Supporters can contribute to the Global Run for Education and follow Nithavrianakis’s progress as the campaign continues through the United States and beyond.
To support Mike Nithavrianakis’s 2026 Global Run for Education, users can visit:
https://fundraise.tcfglobal.org/fundraiser/891645838259/mike-s-2026-global-run-to-educate-6-000-children
Users can learn more about TCF-USA and its work; visit:
https://www.tcfusa.org/
About The Citizens Foundation, USA
The Citizens Foundation, USA is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID 41-2046295, that supports the education of underserved children in Pakistan. TCF-USA has an active network of more than 40 chapters across the United States.
TCF-USA supports programs, initiatives, and projects of The Citizens Foundation in Pakistan. TCF was established in 1995 by a group of citizens seeking to create social change through education. The organization operates 2,261 purpose-built school units serving 320,000 students. Its all-female faculty includes 16,500 teachers, and TCF maintains a balanced gender ratio among students.
TCF-USA donors have helped build and support more than 800 elementary and secondary schools with an enrollment of over 122,000 girls and boys. TCF-USA’s Board of Directors maintains full discretion and control over donations and grants supporting projects in Pakistan. Contributions are tax-deductible in the United States to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Attachment
- The Citizens Foundation, USA
CONTACT: Salman Hasan [email protected]
