University of North Florida Receives Most Improved Dance Marathon Award 2023  

Miracle Network Dance Marathon recognized top performing Dance Marathon programs at the Dance Marathon Leadership Conference held in St. Louis, MO from August 3-6.

The University of North Florida’s executive board set two main goals this year, to increase funds raised and increase campus engagement. To achieve these goals, the executive board worked tirelessly throughout the year to table monthly, solicit corporate and in-kind donations, attend several other organization meetings, host numerous events, and ensure they were developing positive relationships with all constituents of their program.

One of the biggest opportunities the program took advantage of this year was Child Health Day. This year, Osprey Miracle hosted “Child Health Week” which included four events: a Glow Party, Pie in The Face, Hype Room, and Kickball tournament. Each event was carefully picked to ensure that all groups on campus had something to look forward to that week. Through internal fundraising and these four events, Osprey Miracle raised $6,903.56, registered 76 students and 9 new teams during this week alone. This was a significant increase over the $879.60 raised and 37 students registered in the same week the previous year.  

Another noteworthy improvement for the program was changing the location of the culminating event. In prior years, the Dance Marathon event was held in the Student Union ballrooms, and the executive board decided it was a less than ideal location for the event. By networking and researching locations, the club changed the location to a more centrally located and event-friendly space, free of charge. This change helped improve event attendance and the marathon’s experience for attendees! 

Through strategic event planning, recruitment, and fundraising efforts they far exceeded their goal, registering 100 more participants than the previous year, and increasing funds raised by 65% year-over-year increase. Congratulations, University of North Florida! 

University of North Florida presented a session on their fundraising push week at Dance Marathon Leadership Conference 2023. You can view a recording of that presentation here: https://youtu.be/N1mQoRWdL_U.

Miracle Network Dance Marathon is an international movement, involving over 400 colleges, universities and K-12 schools across the United States and Canada that fundraise for their local member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. These students work tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds one dollar at a time by making the ask to family and friends. Their hard work culminates in a celebration on their campus or virtually, where participants have the opportunity to rally together as a community for their local member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Students involved in Dance Marathon gain valuable skills in fundraising, peer management, delegation, and philanthropy. Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs have collectively raised more than $350 million since 1991.