Programs Series

Building the Case for Scholarship Support

Now more than ever, our collegiate and alumni members need financial support. The coronavirus pandemic has created unexpected housing and food expenses; restricted travel; limited income from hourly jobs or work-study positions; and resulted in other unforeseen challenges. In addition, undergraduates who independently pay for their educational expenses do not qualify for the stimulus relief because their parents can claim them as dependents.

Scholarships have long been one of the most important ways Greek organizations can provide direct aid to individual members. They can be a lifeline for students and their families. The economic effects caused by COVID-19 only increases the need for scholarship funding.

As the Kappa Delta Foundation prepared to embark on a capital campaign focused solely on increasing scholarships for members, research was conducted to confirm the need for this kind of support and whether the foundation could meet the need.

This session will dive into the research done to create a case for scholarship and will discuss trends in tuition and student debt rates, as well as how outside scholarships affect a student’s financial aid package, and unique ways to structure scholarships.

Attendees will have data to create their own case for scholarship and will be better equipped to discuss the importance of and need for scholarships with individual donors.

Handout: Building the Case for Support

Speakers: Melissa Hammer, Communications Senior Manager, Kappa Delta Foundation, and Rachel Shouse, Development Senior Manager, Kappa Delta Foundation

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Emergency Member Assistance Grants in a COVID-19 World

The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected students in so many ways, but more than anything, they have experienced negative financial effects. In this session, you will hear from several fraternal foundation staff members who have either transformed existing emergency aid programs or developed entirely new ones in order to respond to the financial needs of members in light of hardship brought on by COVID-19. We will walk through their processes, including program origins, fundraising efforts, advertisement and promotion, application development, evaluation, recipient selection, funding disbursement, overall results, and plans for the future. Come hear about these unique approaches to supporting members during an uncertain time!

Handout: COVID-19 Relief Scholarship Selection Guidance
Handout: IRS Publication 3833

Panelists: Jessica Price, Fundraising & Programs Specialist, Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation; Zane Carlson, Associate Director of Advancement, Beta Theta Pi Foundation; Carol Helmus, Director of Philanthropy, Tri Delta; Scott Bova, CFRE, President, Triangle Education Foundation. Moderator: Mary Kate Smith, Programs Manager, Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation

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