Indianapolis, July 20, 2022 – Beth Burkes epitomizes the drive and passion for the fraternal experience through her fundraising efforts, impacting the lives of generations of sorority women. She is paving the way for future generations to follow in her footsteps and practice donor-centered, ethical fundraising.

It is for these reasons and more that she has been named the recipient of the William D. Jenkins Award for Outstanding Foundation Professional. Her award will be presented on Tuesday, Aug. 30, during the FFE Awards of Distinction Program, part of FFE Seminar.

Burkes has served Tri Delta’s Foundation professionally since 2018 with previous professional fundraising experience at Kappa Kappa Gamma, as well as outside of the fraternal industry. Through her endeavors, she has strengthened, sustained and enhanced Tri Delta’s position as a premier fundraising organization, rooted in their Purpose.

“Beth Burkes is a true leader and outstanding development professional. Beth practices her profession with integrity, honesty, truthfulness, and trustworthiness. These all being many pillars in the code of ethics as a fundraiser. She has a true gift in centering the vision, mission and values of the organization and aligning these to our donor wishes and the gifts they entrust Tri Delta,” said fellow Tri Delta leadership team member and Chief Experience Officer Stefan Strickland.

Leading with positivity, creativity, collaboration and a willingness to help, under her guidance throughout the past four years, Tri Delta’s Foundation has:

  • increased the assets under management by 24% from more than $16M in 2018 to more than $21M in 2021;
  • increased unrestricted giving by a remarkable 78%;
  • increased scholarship awards by 65%, and the number of awards made by 43%, allowing sisters to fulfill their academic studies with fewer financial burdens;
  • seen a 100% increase in Day of Giving donations due to attention and emphasis on Day of Giving ambassadors, virtual engagement and thoughtful promotion; and
  • increased Heritage Society membership (planned giving) by 61%.

Not only focusing on the here and now, she also has a proven record of excellence in her craft as a fundraiser and with commitment to the organization’s past and future. A champion of preserving fraternal history, Burkes has worked with her team to develop and execute an innovative strategy to raise the funds required to fully preserve Tri Delta’s historical holdings and create their Digital Archive and Museum. She intuitively understands the power of connecting people with their shared history in order to enhance their lifelong Fraternity experience and build a better framework for the future.

Burkes is nothing but supportive and quick to respond to those critical questions throughout the fraternal fundraising industry. She is a natural leader who brings an unmatched level of professionalism to her work.

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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR FRATERNAL EXCELLENCE

The Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) cultivates a culture of philanthropy and care across the fraternal community. Often known as the “heart” of a fraternal organization, foundations and fundraising professionals come together to comprise the FFE membership and benefit from programs, services and resources for fraternal fundraising. The FFE also offers scholarships to graduate students and professionals for continuing education, provides operational support for new and emerging fraternal foundations, and works hand-in-hand with fraternal communities and the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) to strengthen and improve the entire fraternity/sorority experience.