We are thrilled to share that MetroWest resident and Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) instructor Julie Williams will be running the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, 2026, in support of the Community Foundation for MetroWest (CFMW).
Julie’s connection to the Foundation began through her work with Hope and Comfort (H&C). As the organization’s first employee during its startup years, Julie received early grant writing support from CFMW as she set out to apply for H&C’s very first grant.
That trusted relationship came full circle when the Foundation was looking for a YIP instructor. Julie taught her very first YIP class in Hopkinton in 2016 and has volunteered with the program as a YIP instructor ever since. From 2017 to 2020, Julie also served as YIP’s Program Manager, further deepening her impact on the program and the young leaders it supports.
“The program has my heart,” Julie says. “I learn so much about leadership, curiosity, and empathy through the YIP students, and I am so proud of what they accomplish year over year. YIP gives me so much hope for the future of philanthropy and our community.”
Julie’s support of the Foundation’s mission is rooted in the fact that MetroWest is home. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Babson College in Wellesley, later lived in Waltham, and now calls Natick home.
What keeps Julie in MetroWest is all that the region has to offer. She was an active member of the MetroWest theater community and previously served as a stage manager and assistant stage manager with Turtle Lane Playhouse (Newton), The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN), and Hovey Players (Waltham). She also deeply appreciates MetroWest’s outdoor spaces. “I spend a lot of time outside, in parks, on running and rail trails, and on rivers, ponds, and lakes. I’m so grateful MetroWest has given me so many places to run, walk, and kayak,” she says.
Julie began running in 2015, initially just dabbling. After a trip to Charles River Running to find a good pair of running shoes, her husband, Colin, asked what would motivate her to run a half-marathon. “I said, ‘a trip to Disney,’” Julie recalls. Soon after, they signed up for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. That was in 2019, and she hasn’t looked back.
Julie ran her first marathon, the Maine Marathon, virtually in 2020. “Boston will be my eighth marathon,” she says.
For Julie, running is far more than fitness. “It’s my time to decompress, and do something I deeply enjoy,” she explains. “Over time, it’s taught me so much, the importance of being present, showing up when it’s hard, and the growth that comes with consistency.”
She’s especially inspired by the Boston Marathon’s sense of community. “It is the ultimate test of endurance and a love letter to Boston and MetroWest. I cannot wait to be part of it, celebrating and giving back to an organization and a home that inspire me.”
Beyond running the Marathon, Julie supports the Foundation as an active donor to the ONEMetroWest Fund, YIP, and as a Donor Advised Fund holder. She values the CFMW’s commitment to creating lasting, community-wide impact, supporting not only urgent needs, but also the protected lands, arts, and cultural organizations that bring people together and enrich life in MetroWest.
Support Julie’s Run and MetroWest
Julie is running 26.2 miles to support a stronger, more connected MetroWest. Join her by making a gift in support of her Boston Marathon run for CFMW. Every donation helps strengthen local nonprofits, empower young leaders, and sustain the community we all call home.
Donate today and be a part of Julie’s journey to the finish line!
