DanceBlue Frequently Asked Questions
What is DanceBlue?Who does it benefit? How do we know our contributions are going directly to them?
Who can participate? Is it only for students? Do I need to be a UK student?
How can I become involved? Is there a way I can help if I can't attend?
How do I raise money for the Golden Matrix Fund?
What do I do with the money once it is collected?
How do I know that my organization will get credit for the funds collected?
What is the benefit of fundraising? How much money do we have to raise to sponsor dancers?
How long are we allowed to fundraise?
Why is it important to sponsor dancers?
Does it cost anything to sponsor a dancer outside of the fundraising dollars?
What is DanceBlue?
DanceBlue is the all-encompassing name attributed to the student-lead effort to provide for emotional support and research for children and families treated at the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic. It enlists the support of many student organizations and teams of students across UK's campus, who participate by personal fundraising, attending several fundraising events throughout the year as well as spending quality time with the families effected with cancer through the Adopt-a-Family Program. There is also a DanceBlue staff which consist of a Leadership Team and committee members. These students work towards the administration, promotion, organization, and additional fundraising for all of the festivities attributed to the event. The efforts culminate into a massive, 24-hour, no sitting, no sleeping, Dance Marathon, scheduled for Feb. 22-23, 2008.
Who does it benefit? How do we know our contributions are going directly to them?
All funds raised go directly to the Golden Matrix Fund, which benefits children with cancer and their families who are treated at the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic. The money will be used to provide for emotional support for the families and to provide for cancer research. All pledges are invoiced and collected by the University Development Office, which is the same method used to safely raise funds for the Alumni Association and other development efforts across campus. Furthermore, DanceBlue has a 5 account through the University where all funds raised are deposited and given to its beneficiaries at the end of the fundraising period.
Who can participate? Is it only for students? Do I need to be a UK student?
While the privilege of becoming a DanceBlue Dancer is reserved for full and part-time UK students, we have other opportunities for alumni, faculty and staff, and others to get involved. Please contact David Ritchie with any questions you may have about your eligibility.
How can I become involved? Is there a way I can help if I can't attend?
There are several different ways to be involved. Students can join one of the DanceBlue committees and help organize, plan, and fundraise on behalf of DanceBlue. As members of other student organizations across campus, students can register as a DanceBlue team and compete against other teams of similar sizes. Teams can consist of registered student organizations with as many as 180 members, a floor or a residence hall, a group of alumni, staff, or faculty members, or just a group of five friends who want to help in the crusade against cancer. If you would like more information on creating a DanceBlue Team for 2008 please contact our DanceBlue Teams Recruitment Captain, Alex McIlvaine.
Individuals who wish to simply fundraise on behalf of the Golden Matrix Fund are also encouraged to do so as well as those who would just like to help volunteer during dance marathon weekend which is scheduled for Feb. 22-23, 2008. If you would like more information on volunteering during dance marathon weekend please contact the Volunteer Captain, Megan Herde.
How do I raise money for the Golden Matrix Fund?
Students are encouraged to use several solicitation methods in order to fundraise:
Pledge Solicitations
This type of fundraising may be used through phone calls or in person. Individuals may not solicit pledges from any Fayette County area business without prior approval from the DanceBlue Corporate Relations Committee. Pledge books used for this type of solicitation can be picked up in the CCO. THIS IS THE EASIEST WAY TO COLLECT FUNDS! TAKE THEM HOME OVER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS & BREAKS - THERE ARE 20 PAGES PER BOOK AND RECEIPTS FOR TAX-EXEMPT INFORMATION!
Mail Solicitations (letter drives)
Individuals may begin their mail solicitations prior to the set solicitation date. However, they CANNOT collect them until the fundraising window is open. A sample mail solicitation letter is available at the Documents page and in the DanceBlue 2008 Handbook.
Canister Solicitations
This type of solicitation, commonly referred to as .canning., is a great way to raise money for your team's totals. However, there are certain legal constraints on this process depending on the area in which you wish to solicit. All teams are responsible to research the legal restrictions in different areas considered for solicitation. Your team must also display the DanceBlue logo when canning. There are canning kits available in the CCO for DanceBlue teams to sign out.
Corporate Donations
All teams wishing to obtain corporate sponsorships must first obtain permission from the Corporate Relations Chair, Nate Simon. By doing this, DanceBlue will avoid double attempts at sponsorship from the same company. The Intent to Solicit a Local Company Form is available in the CCO and on the website. It must be completed and filed in the CCO one week prior to solicitation. - After gaining the written approval, these groups must manage all contacts for the duration leading up to Dance Marathon Weekend. Groups must also contact the Corporate Relations Chair and disclose the date of solicitation and whether or not they decided to donate. - All donations received from sponsors or corporations must be issued directly to Dance Marathon in the name of the team. - ALL SOLICITATIONS must be turned into the Student Center Ticket Office on the first business day after the scheduled event.
Alternative Fundraising Events:
All alternative fundraising events, which are defined as any type of fundraising event other than the aforementioned pledge, mail, canister, or corporate varieties must be registered with the Rules and Regulations Chair, Joey Wright. Examples of acceptable alternatives are car washes, bake sales, or auctions. Also, please use our 2008 DanceBlue Handbook as a guide for alternative fundraising. You can find copies of this handbook online as well as in the CCO.
What do I do with the money once it is collected?
All cash, checks, and pledge books will be turned in and filed by the Ticket Office in the Student Center. Stephanie Fisher is the Ticket Office Manager if you have any questions. Pledge Books are simply dropped off at the office. Your team name and number should already be on the cover. Cash and check deposits must be deposited with the Team Deposit Form. This form is available on the website and in the CCO.
All coins must be pre-rolled or exchanged for paper bills before making deposit. Loose change will only be accepted if it's total is less than $1.00. DO NOT use machines like Coinstar to count your change because it will take money away from your total. Instead, go to your local bank and ask for coin rolls. Sometimes, banks like the Federal Credit Union offer change counting services free for patrons.
Whoever makes the deposit is responsible to obtain and keep a receipt for your team's records.
How do I know that my organization will get credit for the funds collected?
The ticket office files all funds received by team name and number before making the deposit. Totals will be kept secret until Dance Marathon Weekend in February.
What is the benefit of fundraising? How much money do we have to raise to sponsor dancers?
Aside from the obvious reason that fundraising benefits the kids with cancer through emotional support and cancer research, fundraising is part of the competition of DanceBlue and it determines the number of dancers that your group will be able to sponsor at the Dance Marathon.
If your team has 5-30 members, you have to fundraise $150.00 for every dancer you wish to sponsor. If your team has 31-70 members, you have to fundraise $200.00 for every dancer you wish to sponsor. If you team has 71 or more members, you have to raise $250.00 for every dancer you wish to sponsor.
The reason behind the breakdown is that larger teams have access to more members and should be able to raise more money as a collective group than smaller teams.
How long are we allowed to fundraise?
Individuals can fundraise and turn in funds up until the day before the Dance Marathon. However, dancers will already be registered, so the goal is to have the majority of funds collected prior to the Dancer Registration deadline, February 9, 2008.
Why is it important to sponsor dancers?
The number of dancers present at Dance Marathon represents your support of the kids with cancer and the amount of money raised. It reflects highly upon your organization and the more dancers sponsored also means more support for the kids.
Does it cost anything to sponsor a dancer outside of the fundraising dollars?
There is a dancer registration fee which is charged per dancer for every team regardless of size. The dancer registration fee for 2008 will be between $25 and $35. The official amount will be announced in the Spring of 2008.