Dance Marathon at Iowa State University

What Dance Marathon at Iowa State University does

Dance Marathon at Iowa State University is a student-run, nonprofit philanthropic organization operating as the ISU affiliate of the Miracle Network Dance Marathon movement, a national coalition of more than 400 campus chapters affiliated with Children's Miracle Network. Founded in 1997 and now in its 29th year, the organization executes an annual 15-hour dance event as its central fundraising mechanism, alongside supporting events such as a Mini Dance Marathon and a Family Hour featuring hospital patients. It is governed by approximately 20-25 student executive leaders and supported by hundreds of "Miracle Maker" dues-paying members.

The organization's core deliverable is financial and relational support for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Since inception, it has raised more than $4.5 million in cumulative donations directed entirely to that single beneficiary. Recent programmatic commitments include a multi-year (2023-2026) underwriting of a Neonatal Hemodynamics Fellowship and 2024 funding for a Facility Dog Program, signaling a shift from one-time donations to sustained, designated programmatic underwriting. Additional programming includes a Youth Outreach Committee extending engagement into K-12 schools and an Ignite Leadership Development Program aimed at building organizational capacity among successive student cohorts.

The business model is a pass-through charitable structure with no retained revenue: all funds raised are transferred to the beneficiary hospital, and the organization itself operates without payroll, equity, or commercial pricing. Sponsorship revenue comes from a mix of individual student fundraising pages, dues-based Miracle Maker memberships, community donations, and a growing Corporate Partnerships Committee. The organization has no proprietary technology platform beyond standard nonprofit operational tooling, and its competitive position rests on nearly three decades of community trust, institutional affiliation with ISU and Children's Miracle Network, and direct relationships with hospital families rather than on any technical differentiation.

Name

Dance Marathon at Iowa State University

Legal name

Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Website

https://dm.stuorg.iastate.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dance Marathon at Iowa State University is a student-run nonprofit in its 29th year that has raised over $4.5 million for University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital through an annual dance event and donor programs, operating as an ISU chapter of the Miracle Network Dance Marathon movement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Hospital Fundraising

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded) (MPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• Student philanthropy
• Children's hospital fundraising
• Pediatric healthcare funding
• Community fundraising events
• Nonprofit student organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Ames

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Fundraising: All funds raised through Dance Marathon events, individual participant fundraising pages (Donor Drive), text-to-donate campaigns, and corporate/community sponsorships are donated directly to University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital through Children's Miracle Network.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Dance Marathon at Iowa State University is a student-run philanthropic organization that raises funds and awareness for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital through year-round events, individual fundraising pages, text-to-donate campaigns, and corporate sponsorships. The organization directly supports 35+ local Miracle Families impacted by childhood illness and provides leadership and involvement opportunities for hundreds of Iowa State students through committees, executive positions, and the Ignite Leadership Program. All funds raised are donated directly to the hospital through Children's Miracle Network.

Product overview

Dance Marathon at Iowa State University is a student-run philanthropic organization structured as a unified program with multiple engagement pathways. The core offering is the annual Big Event celebration, supplemented by the Ignite Leadership Development Program for leadership skill-building, and seven functional committees (Creative, Events, Family Relations, Recruitment & Morale, Partnerships, Stewardship, and Youth Outreach) enabling members to serve in specific roles. The organization supports 35-45 Miracle Families directly in the local community, with all funds raised going to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Currently in its 29th year, the organization is mid-way through a 3-year funding project to establish a Neonatal Hemodynamics Fellowship. The organization operates under the 'So Kids Can' campaign theme guiding all programming and messaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Big Event

Quantifiable outcome

• $4.5 million raised for UI Stead Family Children's Hospital since 1997
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (Miracle Network Dance Marathon)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Dance Marathon at Iowa State is one of over 400 campuses participating in Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a nationwide student-led movement that has raised $350 million for children's hospitals since 1991. The network provides organizational framework, resources, and connection to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
• University of Iowa Stead Family Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary beneficiary of all Dance Marathon fundraising. UI Stead is Iowa's only nationally ranked children's hospital serving over 100,000 children annually. All money raised goes directly to this hospital through Children's Miracle Network to fund programs, equipment, and family support services.
• Iowa State University (Student Engagement / Memorial Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance Marathon operates as an official student organization at Iowa State University, advised by Student Engagement and based out of Memorial Union. The university provides organizational support, facilities, and institutional backing for the organization's operations.
• Local Ames Businesses (Community Partnerships)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partnerships Directors develop and maintain relationships with local businesses for in-kind donations including food and gift donations for Dance Marathon events, and coordinate monetary donations from local businesses using partnership packets.
• National/ Corporate Businesses (Corporate Partnerships)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnerships Directors develop relationships with larger national businesses to secure sponsorships and apply for national and local grant opportunities. Work with Community Partnerships and Stewardship directors to ensure proper recognition of all sponsors.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Penn State THON: THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, raising funds for pediatric cancer through a year-long student-led program culminating in a 46-hour dance marathon. Directly comparable as a university-affiliated, student-run dance marathon program under the Miracle Network banner.
• Indiana University Dance Marathon: IUDM is the original Miracle Network Dance Marathon, founded in 1991 at IU in memory of Ryan White. Directly comparable as a flagship campus dance marathon organization using the same event-based fundraising model for a children's hospital.
• University of Florida Dance Marathon: Florida Dance Marathon (FTM) is one of the largest Miracle Network programs, raising funds for Shands Children's Hospital. Comparable in scale, multi-year program funding model, and student-run philanthropy structure.
• University of Iowa Dance Marathon: UI Dance Marathon is the closest campus-level peer, raising funds for the same University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Directly comparable student-run philanthropy structure, beneficiary, and Miracle Network affiliation.
• University of Maryland Dance Marathon: Maryland Dance Marathon is a Miracle Network campus program supporting University of Maryland Children's Hospital. Comparable in operational structure, beneficiary model, and event-driven fundraising approach.
• UCLA Dance Marathon: UCLA Dance Marathon is a major Miracle Network campus program raising funds for pediatric patients at Mattel Children's Hospital. Directly comparable in event-driven fundraising model and academic-year structure.
• University of Michigan Dance Marathon: Michigan Dance Marathon is a long-running Miracle Network campus program raising funds for pediatric care at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Closely comparable in scope, structure, and student-led event model.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is the umbrella organization that connects the 400+ campus dance marathon programs with member children's hospitals. Comparable as the administrative and fundraising framework within which ISU DM operates.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: St. Baldrick's Foundation is a large volunteer-driven nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research through grassroots events. Comparable in mission area (children's health) and event-based volunteer fundraising model.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is a major pediatric cancer nonprofit with strong youth and student volunteer involvement. Comparable in youth-driven fundraising, focus on pediatric health, and student engagement model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DanceMarathonISU/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISUDM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iowa-state-university-dance-marathon
• Instagraminstagram.com/isu_dm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dance Marathon at Iowa State University