Northwestern students participating in this year’s Dance Marathon were required to turn in money raised for Wednesday’s half-money deadline, but some students have found it difficult to reach the required mark.
Communication freshman Carolyn Betts said she didn’t have time to raise the $200 needed for the half-money deadline, so her family provided a donation. For the second half, she plans to reach out to a philanthropy program with her mother’s company.
“I’m running into a little bit of difficulty … fumbling through the red tape,” she said. If her plan doesn’t work, Betts said she will look to DM committees for help.
“They kind of send you into this a little blind,” she said, adding that she initially felt overwhelmed by the prospect of raising $400.
Registered dancers and committee members must raise a minimum of $400 each over the course of the year to benefit the Danny Did Foundation and Evanston Community Foundation. All were expected to deposit at least half of this by Wednesday either at Norris University Center’s cashier’s office or online.
DM spokesperson Katie Prentiss, said the half-money deadline was in place to remind dancers of their commitment to raise $400 during the year. Students who do not meet $400 by the March full-money deadline cannot participate in the 30-hour dance event that takes place March 8-10.
“If everybody raises the right amount of money, we will make room for everybody, of course but unfortunately sometimes people who don’t raise the money have to drop out,” the Medill senior said.
Prentiss said this year, dancers can sign into online accounts to check their fundraising progress and make sure they are on track to meet the pledged amount.
“We’re trying to make as many opportunities to raise this $400 as possible,” Prentiss said.
DM finance co-chair Jerry Luo said both deadlines are strict, but the half-money deadline is more flexible “depending on how many people have reached (it)” and how close to $200 other people are.
The Weinberg senior said DM does not keep track of how many students drop out during the year.
Now in its 39th year, NU’s largest student-run philanthropy event has garnered a record number of participants. More than 1,400 students have registered to dance, according DM spokesperson David Harris. The amount of money raised is kept confidential until the end of the 30-hour dance event, when the total is revealed to all dancers.
Dancers raise money by canning, writing letters to request donations and partnering with student groups such as The Dolphin Show or athletic teams. They can also raise money independently.
Despite the frustration experienced by some students while raising the money, Harris believes the fundraising will ultimately work out well.
“We’re really optimistic about the fundraising efforts that have been happening throughout the year,” the SESP junior said.
