History
BuckeyeThon has a rich history of engaging students in philanthropy and has seen tremendous growth since inception in 2001. Here is a brief timeline that highlights BuckeyeThon's major accomplishments throughout the years.
2022
This year, BuckeyeThon experienced their highest average amount fundraised per person. The average fundraising per team member this year was $310.22! Together, our participants raised $660,786.49 for local kids at Nationwide Children's Hospital!
2021
BuckeyeThon returned to its original home of the RPAC for the Dance Marathon and re-imagined in person engagement with the Millions of Miracles Campaign. Through the exceptional work of team members and generous community support, we raised $1,025,812.46 for Nationwide Children's Hospital. Children's Miracle Network Dance Marathon awarded BuckeyeThon with Ryan White Overcoming Adversity Award.
2020
The 2020 BuckeyeThon Dance Marathon marked the 20th year of Ohio State's commitment to fostering an environment where: Every Kid Deserves To Be A Buckeye. We have raised $2,228,067.16 for the kids at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
2019
This year, BuckeyeThon engaged the Ohio State campus in unprecedented ways, registering 5,264 team members for the Dance Marathon. With the help of our team members ad supporters, BuckeyeThon raised $1,704,184.19 for local kids!
2018
In 2018, BuckeyeThon continued to grow as a year-long philanthropy, hosting Signature Events like the Fashion Show and CarnOval. With the help of our team members, BuckeyeThon was able to raise a record $1,603,437.49 for the kids at Nationwide Children's Hospital!
2017
This year, BuckeyeThon reached new levels of success not only as a Dance Marathon, but as a year-long philanthropy. BuckeyeThon engaged campus year-round through the newly revamped Team Member program, hosting three Signature Events and creating personal relationships with every single Team Member. BuckeyeThon also partnered with The Ohio State University Foundation, Alumni Association, and the James Cancer Research Hospital for the first time, enabling us to pass our $1.5 million fundraising goal. In 2017, BuckeyeThon raised $1,510,036.39 for local kids!
2016
In 2016, BuckeyeThon launched the multi-year "Every Kid Deserves to be a Buckeye" campaign. The cause-centric campaign asked Ohio State students and community members to consider the things Nationwide Children's Hospital patients deserve to be healthy enough to do. BuckeyeThon's Color Team program enabled our corporate sponsorships to grow exponentially. In total, BuckeyeThon raised $1,338,872.37, being recognized once again by Ohio State as an Outstanding Student Organization and Miracle Network Dance Marathons as the network's "Best Opening Ceremonies."
2015
BuckeyeThon joined the Miracle Network Dance Marathon "Comma Club" in 2015 as recognition for raising more than $1 million in a single year. The "One Team, One Dream, One Million" campaign launched BuckeyeThon past its goal, with the over 5,000 registered Team Members raising $1,231,290.11 for the kids. BuckeyeThon also recieved the Miracle Maker Award and Best Closing Ceremonies awards from Miracle Network Dance Marathon.
2014
In 2014, BuckeyeThon surpassed its $750,000 goal, raising $767,227.78 for the kids at Nationwide Children's Hospital. BuckeyeThon was also recognized by Miracle Network Dance Marathons as the network's "Best Opening Ceremonies."
2013
In 2013, the overall theme for our fundraising year was "Bigger Than Before, Bigger Than Yourself." This incorporated not only our school, but our event, the Dance Marathon. The Dance Marathon, which was themed with Movies/Tv Shows, was a two 12-Hour Shift Dance Marathon which raised $608,623.29. With this being our first year having the Dance Marathon in shifts, we were able to register over 3,500 participants, becoming the largest Dance Marathon by attendance in Children's Miracle Network History.
2012
Our theme for 2012’s Dance Marathon was “A Kid Again” and we danced for a total of 12 hours. Our 1800 dancers raised a $100 minimum. We also incorporated 2 High School Dance Marathons this year! Our total was $454,826! We won “Best Opening Ceremony” and “Miracle Maker” from Children’s Miracle Network.
2011
In 2011, we increased our dance marathon time to 17 hours. Our theme was “Decades” and our 800 dancers raised a minimum of $100. Our total was $222,518 and we were awarded the “Best Opening Ceremony and “Miracle Maker” awards from Children’s Miracle Network. We were also awarded “Outstanding Student Organization” from The Ohio State University.
2010
Our theme for 2010 was “A Night in the City.” Our 500 dancers raised a minimum of $100, and our total was $100,823!
2009
The theme for our dance marathon was “Every Child is a Star.” We danced for 14 hours and raised $81,506!
2008
In 2008, we had 645 dancers register for our 14 hour dance marathon! We raised a total of $50,128!
2007
Our 14 hour dance marathon was a great success and we raised $43,795!
2006
We danced for 14 hours and raised $36,716 for Nationwide Children's Hospital!
2005
In 2005, our 14 hour dance marathon included over 100 dancers and 80 volunteers. We raised $46,579 and won “Most Improved Dance Marathon” from Children’s Miracle Network. 1 hour of our dance marathon was dedicated to Bill Hall, VP of Student Affairs.
2004
The theme for this year was “A Day at the Movies.” 100 dancers danced for 14 hours, and we raised $32,948!
2003
The theme for our dance marathon this year was "Around the World." The more than 80 dancers that participated were required to raise a minimum of $500. We danced for a total of 14 hours and raised $32,948!
2002
BuckeyeThon's first Dance Marathon was held on February 2, 2002. This year marked the beginning of one of the largest traditions at The Ohio State University. We had 108 dancers and 206 volunteers. Our dancers raised a minimum of $50 and danced for 26 hours to the theme of “Go Nuts for Kids!” We raised $32,474!
1999
BuckeyeThon was founded by Rosa Ailabouni. Rosa is a 2001 graduate of The Ohio State University.