Philanthropy - Alpha Phi

Sorority life within the Greek community promotes strong leadership development, academic achievement rewarded with opportunities and scholarship, supports principles of inclusion and diversity, and most importantly, women empowerment. These aspects of sorority life coincide with each sorority's philanthropic endeavours. Each sorority chooses charitable initiatives that resonate with their values and ideals. As privileged members of a world renowned university, philanthropy is a means of being able to give back to those who cannot experience the same things we are blessed with, or are even suffering hardships and tragedies. Philanthropy takes form through either supporting a specific organization that promotes awareness and donates to those affected or an umbrella organization that donates to specific organizations. Philanthropy also provides an opportunity for young women to grow as individuals and alongside their fellow sisters within their chapter. For example, Alpha Phi sponsors the Alpha Phi Foundation for Women’s Heart Health Research, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. We hold two annual fundraisers, one each semester, changing up the theme from time to time! We’ve held events like APhis Got Talent, Breakfast at the Phi’s, Red Dress Gala and Baking with the Phi’s! APhis Got Talent is a talent show in which the Greek community can get involved and compete for first place, along with other fun activities. Breakfast at the Phi’s includes a raffle, a guessing game for how many pearls are in a box, as well as food and baked goods for all members attending. This year we had the pleasure of hosting Alpha Phi’s national philanthropy,The Red Dress Gala which is held across North America. In addition, we have Heart Week in February and for each day of Heart Week we host various activities. This includes running 5k, sending candy grams, and organizing workouts and seminars for the Greek community to raise awareness about heart health. Besides that, we also volunteer and support local communities in Toronto while fostering Greek community relations with topical and relevant events such as food drives with Phi Gamma Delta to donate to Fort York Food Bank or a bake sale with Lambda Chi Alpha to donate to the wildfires that were taking place in Australia. As members of the Greek community at the University of Toronto we strive to stay on top of current events and support different causes to the best of our ability along with major philanthropic fundraisers throughout the year. One of the best aspects of Greek Life at UofT is the ability to give back to the wider community you participate in, making philanthropy one of the greatest parts of sorority life.

- Kathryn Giffin, Director of Events: Department of Health, Wellness & Accountability of Alpha Phi