NUDM 2021 Raises $674,375
This year, Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM) raised $674,375 on behalf of Compass to Care and the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF). After a year of virtual fundraising and engagement, NUDM is proud to give its two amazing beneficiaries the opportunity to grow and expand with the NUDM 2021 grant.
“This year proved that NUDM is so much more than just a tent. NUDM is a community united to create change and bring hope, even under the most challenging circumstances,” said NUDM 2021 Executive Co-Chair Ayesha Goswamy. “Although our final total looks different this year, we are grateful to be able to provide children with hope, love, and safety so that they can have a chance at the childhood that they deserve.”
NUDM 2021’s weekend-of event looked a bit different this year. Instead of occurring inside a tent at Norris University Center, the marathon occurred virtually on Hopin, a virtual event platform, with updates and announcements sent out via email, as well as on NUDM’s instagram (@NUDM) and Facebook (@NUdancemarathon).
“We didn’t get the chance to set up the tent behind Norris this year, but we worked just as hard in McCormick Auditorium to make sure we were ready for the livestream, and our emcees had a place to dance in a safe way,” said Jillian Korey, NUDM 2021 Productions Co-Chair. “My role’s responsibilities changed in many ways, but I am so excited by the way that we were able to adapt to the circumstances and still put on such a successful event.”
The event kicked off with opening speeches and trivia on Thursday night. Then, on Friday, dancers were able to enjoy some of the more classic NUDM traditions, like lockdown blocks and dancing to Sandstorm by Darude. Finally, on Saturday, NUDM was packed with activities, from a 5k/10k run, to a yoga class, to a performance by Second City, and so much more. The day concluded when the final total was revealed both on the live stream and on all social platforms.
“I’m proud of the way that Northwestern Dance Marathon students have adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic. They’ve remained passionately committed to making an impact in our community by completely reimagining this great tradition for this year,” said Schapiro. “I believe that their efforts, with the support from alumni and the Evanston and greater Chicago communities, will make a real difference for Compass to Care families and the Evanston Community Foundation.”
After nearly a year of working with the executive board, Compass to Care will receive a payout of 90% of the funds raised at NUDM 2021, with the other 10% being awarded to ECF. While this was the 24th year NUDM partnered with the Evanston Community Foundation as its secondary beneficiary, NUDM selected Compass to Care as its primary beneficiary in the spring of 2020.
“To be chosen as the beneficiary of NUDM is truly a dream come true for an organization like Compass to Care,” commented Compass to Care founder, Michelle Ernsdorff-May. “All evidence shows that funding travel for a child to access cancer treatment has an impact on survival. The limiting factor we have always faced is funding to expand our reach. To have this dedicated group of students overcome every obstacle brought by the pandemic this past year and still make funding for our children and families a priority is an overwhelming honor that will change the lives of children with cancer forever.”
“We are proud to be changing the way NUDM looks for years to come, and we know that our legacy does not just end tonight with this number,” said Cami Steppe, another NUDM 2021 Executive Co-Chair. “We are looking forward to continuing to engage more of the NU community with NUDM in years to come.”
About Compass to Care:Compass to Care schedules and pays for all travel arrangements to get these children from their homes to the hospitals for treatment through their Access Life Program. The families must have a child under 18 who is in an active cancer treatment regimen and the child must need to travel at least 60 miles to access cancer treatment and his/her parents must demonstrate a financial need. Compass to Care provides a Global Cash Card Visa. For scheduled trips, a parent completes an online travel request prior to their departure to the hospital and Compass to Care then transfers funds directly onto the Global Cash Card one day prior to their departure. The parents use these funds to pay for all travel expenditures necessary to get from their homes to the hospital and back. There is no other organization in the United States that solely focuses on providing travel assistance for children with cancer. To learn more, visit www.compasstocare.org.
About Northwestern University Dance Marathon:Now in its 47th year, NUDM is one of the largest entirely student-run philanthropies in the nation. Since 1975, NUDM has raised more than $20 million for more than 30 different charities. Last year, NUDM raised over $1 million dollars for its ninth consecutive year in support of Children’s Home & Aid, a leading child and family service agency in Illinois serving over 40,000 children, youth, and families across the state each year. To learn more, visit www.nudm.org.
If you would like to make a donation to NUDM 2021, visit https://fundraise.nudm.org/nudm2021