Sigma Kappa Foundation

Sigma Kappa Foundation

Collegiate Chapter Presentation

Foundation Basics

• Located at Sigma Kappa National Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN

• Supports Sigma Kappa Sorority, its members, and its philanthropic projects

Foundation Management• 2010-12 Board of

Trustees– Becky Vinzant, President– Susan Polizzato, Secretary– Nancy Nelson, Treasurer– Mary Belding, Trustee– Cheri DeJong, Trustee– Amy Denson, Trustee– Susan Harrington, Trustee– Kristen Kirst, Trustee– Ann O’Connell, Trustee– Laura Owsley, Trustee– Judy Rostad, Trustee– Marylou Turner, Trustee

• Staff– Executive Director

Lisa Fedler Swiontek

– Director of DevelopmentLaura Dragoo Mickler

– Annual Fund & Communications ManagerKatie Kowalski

– Donor Services CoordinatorMalana Harpst

How does the Foundation Raise Funds?

• Individual Giving– Collegians– Alumnae– Parents– Friends of the

Foundation

• Chapter Giving– Collegiate– Alumnae

• Corporate Giving– Corporations– Employer Matching– Foundations

Giving Basics

• Donors can receive a tax deduction for their donation.

• Donors may donate by:– Giving Online– Giving via phone– Giving via mail– Giving in person (to an trustee, staff

member, or Ambassador)

1874 Giving Circle• Collegians only!• $18.74 per year• Can “catch up”

– $37.48 (paying 2 years)

– 56.22 (paying 3 years)– 74.96 (paying 4 years)

• Standards of Excellence Requires 2-20% of members participating for 1-5 points

1874 Giving Circle Grants

• Chapters with at least 35% of their chapter members giving to the 1874 Giving Circle are eligible to apply for a grant.

• The grant can be used for a community project.

• 2011 was the first year grants were awarded-Beta Zeta, University of Maryland, was the first chapter to win!

Whole Chapter Giving

• Chapters can contribute through:– Ultraviolet

Campaigns– Outright giving from

chapter funds– Other philanthropic

efforts

• For SOE-chapters should give “unrestricted funds”

• Platinum Circle$5,000+

• Gold Circle$2,500-4,999

• Silver Circle$1,000-2,499

• Bronze Circle$500-999

Collegiate Giving

• In 2010, Sigma Kappa chapters contributed over $240, 000 to the Foundation!

• 889 Members were a part of the 1874 Giving Circle

35% Rule for Chapters

• IRS rules state that chapters can not raise funds over 35% of their yearly income.

• Sigma Kappa NHQ notifies chapters each year of their respective 35%.

• If money is not passed through the chapter treasury, it does not count toward the 35%– Ex: Have participants write their checks

directly to the SK Foundation—even if chapters send fifty $5 checks, the Foundation can process them!

More Questions on 35%?

• Don’t worry! Work with your CPO if you have questions about the 35% rule.

Fundraising Event/Activity Approval Form

• Must be filled out and submitted to ABC & CPO 3 weeks prior to event– Allows time for corrections if needed

• Helps ensure the chapter will not exceed 35% Rule

• Chapter funds should be budgeted to cover the costs of the event (supplies, etc.)

Writing the Check• Make Payable to Sigma Kappa Foundation• Do Not Abbreviate Sigma Kappa as Greek Letters• Send in with a Contribution Form• Note Restrictions, not Fundraiser in Memo Field• We Cannot Cash Checks to the Alzheimer’s Association• We Cannot Cash Checks to the Sigma Kappa Sorority• Ensure Legal Amount and Written Courtesy Amount Match

Sigma Kappa Foundation $550.00Five hundred and fifty and 00/100

7-20-11

Suzy Q. Sigma

Alzheimer’s & Annual Fund

Types of Gifts• Unrestricted Gifts

– These gifts allow the Foundation to use the money where it is most needed

– UltraViolet campaigns support the Foundation with Unrestricted Gifts

• Programs supported by Unrestricted Gifts:

• Alumnae Continuing Education & Alumnae Continuing Education & Founders’ scholarshipsFounders’ scholarships

• COTS and convention COTS and convention speakers/programsspeakers/programs

• Transitions E-NewsletterTransitions E-Newsletter• Upkeep and maintenance of NHQ Upkeep and maintenance of NHQ

buildingbuilding• Sigma Kappa Sorority grantsSigma Kappa Sorority grants

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse PreventionAlcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention• Citizenship and Career DevelopmentCitizenship and Career Development• PromisePromise• Leadership Consultant ProgramLeadership Consultant Program• Leadership & Educational ProgramsLeadership & Educational Programs• RESPRESPΣΣKKT Anti-Hazing ProgramT Anti-Hazing Program

Types of Gifts

• Restricted Gifts• Used for a specific

purpose, as designated by the donor. – Alzheimer’s/Gerontology– Educational Area Grants– Disaster Relief &

Emergency Financial Aid– Maine Sea Coast Mission– Specified scholarships– Other Endowed Funds

Restricted Funds: Alzheimer’s/ Gerontology

• National partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association

• Research grant awarded each year

• Sigma Kappa members participate in and raise funds for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Restricted Funds: Leadership & Educational

Grants• The Foundation

grants money to the Sorority each year for programming including:– COTS/Convention – RESPΣKT– Promise Program– Leadership

Consultant Program

Restricted Funds: Disaster Relief & Emergency Financial

Aid• Available to any

alumnae or collegian in good standing who finds herself in distress due to a presidentially-declared disaster

• Sisters can apply for up to 6 months after the disaster.

Restricted Funds: Maine Seacoast Mission

• Sigma Kappa’s first philanthropy.

• Celebrating 100 years of partnership with Sigma Kappa in 2011.

• Sigma Kappa provides money for scholarships, emergency relief, and the Christmas program.

• Funds only can be accepted by the Foundation. Items must be mailed directly to the Mission.

Restricted Funds: Scholarships

• Over 40 scholarships are available to Sigma Kappa collegians and alumnae.

• Some scholarships are chapter or major-specific, while others are open to everyone.

• Scholarship applications are due March 15th

• Apply online at www.sigmakappafoundation.org

THANK YOU!

• The Foundation supports Sigma Kappa Sorority

• Both alumnae and collegians are important to the Foundation’s success.

• Don’t ever hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

Sigma Kappa Foundation8733 Founders Road

Indianapolis, IN 46268317-381-5531

[email protected]