Philanthropy & Community Involvement

Alpha Gamma Delta

The sisters of Alpha Gam are proud of our philanthropic purpose, which is fighting hunger. Philanthropy is one of the core values of the Alpha Gam experience and we strive to get involved in the community as much as possible. Each month, the chapter seeks out a service opportunity for sisters that relates to fighting hunger. These opportunities often include food service at a local church or other collaborations with local charities. In addition, our chapter holds an annual Week of Service in February, where every day of the week is dedicated to a different service opportunity relating to fighting hunger. In 2019, sisters volunteered at organizations such as the Scott Mission, food ministries at St. Thomas, and Valentine’s Day card-making for the elderly of Meals on Wheels America. We completed more than 600 hours of community service last year as a chapter.

Every year, Alpha Gam opens up the chapter house to the general public and hosts two major philanthropy events (one per semester). In an evening filled with games, good company, and amazing food, we aim to raise awareness for food insecurity in the local community. In addition, we raise money at these events and 100% of the funds go towards the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, which provides scholarships to sisters in need and grants to organizations focusing on food insecurity. In fact, Second Harvest received a Foundational Grant from Alpha Gamma Delta. One of these events is our signature “Foods of the World,” where each sister makes and brings a dish from her home culture and serves it to our guests.

In Alpha Gam, we love philanthropy as much as we love each other, and it truly is rewarding to be able to give back to the community where we are placed.

Alpha Omicron Pi

Throughout the past academic year, Alpha Omicron Pi has made significant contributions and involvements to the Greek community. Smoke Out Arthritis and AOPi Day were successful philanthropic events held by the Beta Tau chapter in which all proceeds went towards the Arthritis Foundation. Our chapter has also participated in the Walk to Fight Arthritis as we continue to advocate for funding and support in arthritis research.

Alpha Phi

Alpha Phi Xi Chapter has advanced women’s lives through the power of philanthropy since 1906. Our Chapter raises funds and awareness for two foundations very close to our hearts – the Alpha Phi and The Heart & Stroke Foundation. Alpha Phi hosts two philanthropies each year. In the past we have held many events such as: King of Hearts, Lock & Key, and the Red Dress Gala. The main priorities of the Alpha Phi Foundation are: supporting innovative leadership training and programming led by Alpha Phi Fraternity, awarding scholarships to undergraduate and graduate Alpha Phis, investing in the advancement of women’s heart health, helping members in need through the Forget Me Not Grant Fund, and celebrating the forward-thinking women that shaped Alpha Phi by preserving our rich heritage. The Heart & Stroke Foundation’s mission focuses on saving the women we love by investing in equitable research through gender-based analysis that will expand our knowledge on women’s heart health expertise and the needs of women who are at a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Alpha Phi strives for the pursuit of excellence of women by providing them with the resources and tools necessary to empower themselves and others around them.

Gamma Phi Beta

Gamma Phi Beta’s unique philanthropic message is “Building Strong Girls,” with the goal of providing the experiences and resources to build a girl / woman’s resilience and confidence in their personal, work and social lives. Our international partner, Girls On the Run, is the personification of this message, as they organize a six to eight week after school program that teaches young girls life skills through dynamic and interactive activities. This program comes to a dynamic finale of a 5k run that teaches the young girls the feeling of empowerment from accomplishing a goal, while being surrounded by their support systems and volunteers from the various Gamma Phi Beta chapters across North America. Our chapter volunteers annually at the University of Buffalo, whether it be setting up, cleaning up, or just cheering on the girls. To spread this message while supporting Girls on the Run, in the past two years, we have hosted Moonball, which is our public volleyball tournament. Each year we have been able to successfully raise approximately over $3000. We take pride in our philanthropy because it is more than just donating money to a charity or cause at a singular moment in time. Our message is an action, an intention and the ongoing process of supporting and uplifting all who are woman-identifying.

Kappa Kappa Gamma

“Kappa seeks to inspire a sincere spirit of service and giving in its members through dedication to philanthropy and community service. Together, every year, Kappa’s across North America raise thousands of dollars to support our official philanthropies: Reading is Fundamental, an organization that focuses on increasing access to books and literary resources for underprivileged youth, and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, an organization that supports the growth, development, and academic achievement of women across North America. The women of Beta Psi also feel fortunate to have the opportunity to support other local organizations. Throughout the year we raise money for and donate our time to local charities such as Sistering, a Toronto women’s shelter, Silence is Violence, the Toronto chapter of an organization that supports victims of sexual assault and educates the community on sexual violence, and the Children’s Aide Foundation of Canada.

In Kappa I am constantly inspired, not only by the incredible acts of service I see from my sisters, but by the spirit of generosity and giving in our Panhellenic community. It is so incredible to see how each house chooses to give back, and it is so empowering to be part of a community that greatly values service and philanthropy! – Lauren Goncalves, President”

Pi Beta Phi

Pi Beta Phi is actively engaged within the community, whether it may be volunteering locally at events such as First Book Canada's book distribution, the Corsage Project, or promoting Greek spirit by supporting other sororities and fraternities with their philanthropies. While Pi Phi is best known for the annual "Pi Phi Game Night" and "Pi Phi Parlour", the sisters also volunteer with other sororities such as Alpha Gamma Delta with their philanthropic efforts of serving food at the St. Thomas's Church. The Pi Phi sisters place a heavy emphasis on philanthropic efforts through the multiple charities that the chapter supports. The chapter's main philanthropic effort is "Read - Lead - Achieve" which is meant to inspire the love of reading. Furthermore, Pi Phi supports other literacy initiatives which include "Champions are leaders" - a reading enrichment program for students in pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade, "Arrow in the Arctic" - a program that supports reading in Northern Canada through the donation of books to First Nations communities, and the "Literacy Advocacy Project" - an annual training event that prepares individuals to advocate for literacy in the local community.