Celebrating our 2025 Legacy Award Winner: Sophie Miller

Riley Children’s Foundation proudly announces Sophie Miller as the 2025 Legacy Award Winner for Riley Dance Marathon.

Sophie has been part of Indiana University Dance Marathon since her freshman year, most recently serving as Vice President of Finance in 2024. Focused on maximizing each push during the 2024 Day of Hope and strategizing how to best engage with alumni, Sophie helped lead three records being broken: power hour, alumni giving and overall total. The 24-hour event raised over $680,000.

“I believe that these tactics will impact IUDM in the following years by illustrating how important alumni engagement is, finding a way to make fundraising fun, and empowering others to give 110% because ‘if we don’t, who will?’” Sophie said.

Through her individual fundraising efforts, Sophie released a Riley Red Wagon into the fleet this past year. The wagon carries significance to Sophie and her family since she was once a Riley kid.

“Although I was young, my parents remember that visit being scary, yet comforting thanks to the healthcare team,” Sophie said. “The wagon is only the catalyst for my future giving as an IUDM alum and longtime Riley supporter.”

During her time in Dance Marathon, Sophie also held positions as the Fundraising Chair and Sales Chair on the Merchandise and Apparel committee. Over the years, she made it a priority to build upon bringing her donors along for the journey. This included creating postcards at the end of each semester with photos of the semester’s events and creating a Day of Hope “Wrapped” video to express her gratitude for those supporting her and Riley Children’s Health.

“My involvement with Indiana University Dance Marathon has deepened my commitment to Riley and shaped my future with philanthropy by opening my eyes to the nonprofit world,” Sophie said. “I plan to continue my philanthropic efforts by giving back to the organization, and ultimately the hospital that gave me my purpose and drive during college.”

On behalf of all of us at Riley Children’s Foundation, congratulations, Sophie! We are grateful for all you’ve done for Riley kids and families.

This annual award recognizes one graduating college senior who has made significant contributions that will continue to elevate their school’s Riley Dance Marathon program years beyond their active involvement. The recipient practices altruism, demonstrates an ability to unify and mobilize those around them, and is inimitable to their respective program. Tyler Trent of Purdue University Dance Marathon was honored posthumously as the inaugural recipient in 2019.

10 colleges fundraised for Riley Dance Marathon during the 2024-25 school year. Indiana University Dance Marathon began in 1991. IUDM participants have raised more than $56 million for Riley.