Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation help my chapter?
The Foundation is proud to fund leadership programming, offer scholarships and educational grants, and provide resources for philanthropic and service oriented events that directly benefit our collegians and alumnae sisters.
- The Foundation funds leadership and educational training to help develop sisters and strengthen chapters. Funding grants provided by the Foundation have helped make possible Vision and Reflections, Chapter Excellence, and a variety of programming for alumnae and collegiate chapter delegates at summer conclaves. In the last two years, the Foundation has been proud to provide funding for the ACHIEVE program. ACHIEVE (Aspire, Challenge, Honor, Integrity, Engage, Value, Excellence) is designed to provide our collegiate leaders with a standardized leadership program focused on the four core values of fraternity membership: scholarship, service, friendship and leadership.
- The Foundation also awards educational grants and named scholarships annually to collegians and alumnae sisters based on financial need, scholarship, and service to Phi Sigma Sigma and the community. Last year, the Foundation awarded nearly 40 educational grants and scholarships ranging from about $500 to $5000.
- Service and philanthropic programming ideas are also provided by the Foundation including planning a philanthropic recruitment event, how to conduct a rock-a-thon fundraiser, and how chapters can participate in Make a Difference Day (a day of service held each October).
What scholarships are available and how do I apply?
Check our Web site to find out about the educational grants and scholarships we offer, along with the application process. All collegians and alumnae in good standing are eligible to apply. Scholarship applications and all supporting documentation must be postmarked by April 10, and sent to Headquarters.
Who runs the Foundation?
The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation has a board of directors which is separate from the Fraternity's Supreme Council. The board is comprised of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and a number of directors. Meet the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation's board of directors.
How does the Foundation obtain its funds?
Donations to the Foundation come from our collegiate and alumnae members as well as friends of the Foundation and the Fraternity.
How can we advertise our Foundation fundraiser?
Please note that 100% of the net proceeds for your event should be donated to the Foundation to utilize this wording:
"Proceeds will support the philanthropy of the Phi Sigma Sigma Fraternity"
"Proceeds will support the programs of the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation"
"Proceeds will support the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation which supports the National Kidney Foundation"
How was the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) selected as the Foundation's primary philanthropy?
At Leadership Training School (LTS) in 1970, our chapters were overwhelmingly in favor of our adoption of a primary philanthropy. A committee was appointed to select and interview a variety of philanthropic organizations and solicited the opinions of our collegiate and alumnae members. At the time kidney disease was a major crippler of women. The committee met with representatives of the NKF regarding their needs and the worthiness of their work with patients and in research. At the 1971 Convention, the selection of the NKF was approved.
What type of programming has the Foundation funded for NKF?
Grants to the NKF have resulted in informative brochures (Take Time to Talk), a children's book (It's Just Part of My Life), the 800 information center, kidney camps for children with kidney disease, and camp directories.
Beginning in 2006, and every other year since, the Foundation has been a corporate sponsor of the NKF Transplant Games. Every other year the National Kidney Foundation sponsors the Transplant Games, a four- day athletic competition for both donors and recipients of organ transplants. Organ recipients compete in a number of events including track and field, swimming, table tennis, biking, golf, and many others.
As much as the Games are an athletic event that calls attention to the success of organ and tissue transplantation, they are also a celebration of life among recipients, their families, and friends. Over 7,000 organ transplant recipients, donors, and their families gather to compete every two years representing more than 45 teams from across the United States and Canada.
To learn more about the Transplant Games visit: Transplant Games Blog or www.transplantgames.org
What is a National Kidney Foundation (NKF) affiliate and why should my chapter donate to the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation and not to the affiliate?
NKF has a structure similar to Phi Sigma Sigma. It has a core central organization with satellite affiliates, similar to chapters. When funds are donated directly to an NKF affiliate, the funds are put to whatever use the affiliate chooses and are not necessarily restricted to funding programming and assisting victims of kidney disease.
One important part of the mission of the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation is to ensure that the donations made by our collegiate and alumnae members are used to fund educational grants and scholarships, leadership programming initiatives, and to assist those with kidney disease. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation works in partnership with the NKF to identify those projects that will have the broadest impact for those with kidney disease and their families. Many of these projects also benefit each local affiliate.
When your chapter raises money for the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, your donations are not only supporting the National Kidney Foundation, they are also supporting educational grants and scholarships for deserving sisters and the development of women leaders. In other words, when you send your check made out to the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, you empower the Foundation to serve Phi Sigma Sigma and the greater community through funding educational grants/scholarships, leadership programming like ACHIEVE, and major initiatives like the Transplant Games to help those with kidney disease.
In addition, our sisters from Canada will feel proud to know that Foundation also supports the Kidney Foundation of Canada to identify projects to support those with kidney disease and their families in Canada.
When is my chapter's Foundation donation due?
In accordance with Chapter Excellence, each chapter's Foundation donation is due in Headquarters by March 10. Any donations received between July 1 and June 30 count for that academic year - we encourage you to send your donation to Headquarters as soon as your fundraiser is completed.
What if we miss the due date?
Send in your donation as soon as possible after the due date and also contact the Foundation at foundation@phisigmasigma.org or 410.799.1224, Ext. 16 to let us know when your chapter will be able to send in your annual donation.