Name: Belle Rossiter

Major: Advertising and Public Relations

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2022: Dancer Relations Committee Member
THON 2023: DAR Development Captain
THON 2024: DAR Development Director

What made you want to apply for a director position for THON 2025?

THON is the most beautiful thing I know. I have met so many inspiring people that have shaped my passion for this organization over the past four years. I applied for the executive committee because I want to devote my time to helping the THON community fundraise for our THON families and fund research that is having a global impact in the fight to conquer childhood cancer.

What are your responsibilities as a THON Director?

As a member of the executive committee, I have the opportunity to work alongside 16 other directors to make impactful changes and execute initiatives that will benefit our organization and its 16,500 student volunteers. As the Development director, I am responsible for overseeing THON’s relationships with tens of thousands of individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations. Additionally, along with my team of 16 Development captains, I work to ensure long-term financial growth in our fundraising model through three primary areas: donor acquisition, donor engagement, and donor retention.

What do you want to implement in your position this year that differs from years past?

I hope to connect THON’s growing donor base to the impact they are making on our organization, as well as the children and families we support. One of my goals is to spread a culture of gratitude throughout all stakeholders involved in THON to increase awareness and involvement in our organization along with retaining support year after year.

What makes your committee so cool, fun, and/or important?

Development committee works on such a wide range of projects ranging from donor acquisition, retention, and engagement, and plans ways to give back to the local community through days of service. One of my favorite things about Development is that we have the chance to spread THON’s mission and educate others about our organization, which can hopefully result in monetary contributions that make a direct impact on our mission.

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2025?

I hope to work with my captains to continue to expand THON’s donor engagement and retention initiatives that will result in continuity of supporters for years to come. One of my biggest goals overall is to empower my captains to use their own passions for our organization to make their own impact on THON’s development practices!

Why do you THON?

I THON to foster a loving community and fund comprehensive care for our children and families during what is undoubtedly the worst situation imaginable. THON is the most beautiful thing I know, and I hope to progress our organization forward in my position this year.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

My favorite THON memory has to be my first time attending Family Carnival for THON 2023! It was my first time getting the chance to interact with so many THON children and families. I met so many incredible people and spent the whole afternoon playing duck duck goose! Family Carnival is my favorite pre-THON event because it gives our volunteers and Four Diamonds families the chance to connect before THON Weekend and focus on smiles and laughs. I’m super excited for this year’s event!

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

Triceratops seem pretty cool!