Northwestern’s biggest philanthropy event just keeps getting bigger.
Dance Marathon’s initial registration period ended Friday with the most registered participants in school history. More than 1,500 students signed up for the event, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary this March.
For the first time, students with financial need are able to apply to subsidize the $50 registration fee, thanks to $4,000 from ASG appropriated at the Oct. 23 Senate meeting.
The $4,000 from the Senate Project Pool will supplement funds from the Student Activities Scholarship Fund, which is distributed through the Center for Student Involvement, and is intended for students with demonstrated financial need but who do not meet CSI requirements for subsidies through SASF. In previous years any financial assistance was considered on a case-by-case basis.
Due to the recent funding, Dance Marathon has extended registration until Wednesday, Oct. 30 for all students, not just those using the subsidy. To date, 137 students have applied for the subsidy, according to the release.
Dance Marathon staff also reached an all-time high. This year, 391 committee members will help plan and execute the 30-hour event, which runs from March 7-9, 2014.
The primary beneficiary for NUDM 2014 is Team Joseph, a non-profit focused on helping children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their families. The Evanston Community Foundation will also receive proceeds from the event.
NUDM Public Relations co-chair Summer Delaney said the 40th anniversary has drummed up even more excitement for the popular Northwestern tradition.
“We’ve got nearly 2,000 people involved this year, which is really exciting,” she said. “We’re continuing to our mission to reach as many people in the Northwestern community as possible and the 40th is really propelling the charge.“