I am often asked about what the foundation does and how we do it. Part of the challenge for me in answering the question is that there is a difference between what the foundation has historically achieved and what our priorities are today.
The foundation has spent much of its history focused on providing scholarships to our sisters and legacies, and aid to sisters in need. These are certainly worthwhile endeavors and I can say without doubt that these funds have made a difference for the recipients. We have done this with gifts from collegiate chapters; and from generous alumnae donors, about 300 donors a year. We have also been able to raise substantial monies through our fundraisers at Convention every other year.
At the same time, however, the sorority landscape has changed. Collegians today expect state-of-the-art resources--in programming, in housing and in the overall university experiences. As universities have grown more sophisticated in the personal and professional development programming available, sorority programming has had to evolve as well. Women in college today have an abundance of opportunities for involvement. Sororities provide important, unique "leadership laboratories" that help young women network, build soft skills and gain important workforce experience. The leaders of tomorrow will not look as they did in the past--and we need to help prepare women for these roles with a diversity of experiences.
In order to remain viable, Delta Phi Epsilon must continue to provide something of value for collegians and we must keep it affordable. And after graduation, we want to continue to provide opportunities for alumnae sisters to come together to promote our ideals and support our philanthropies in order to grow our reputation and our sisterly bonds. Sisterhood is a lifetime relationship, one we want to help nurture.
The foundations of other National Panhellenic Conference member groups provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to their respective sororities each year to fund educational and personal development programming, in addition to scholarships and philanthropic grants. These organizations have provided funding for nationally known, expert speakers at conferences; online personal development programs; new member programming books that share the heritage and inspiration of alumnae sisters; "life after college" guides and resources, free to the graduating seniors; and leadership academies at their headquarters that promote womenhood and offer challenging experiences Many sorority conventions are almost wholly subsidized by their foundations, making the cost to attend and participate in their sisterhood experience even more reasonable and exciting. This is the kind of support that could catapult our own sisterhood forward and make it one of the best educational opportunities available for women.
Becoming a DPhiE changed my life. I know for some that may seem like a strong statement, but it did. It helped me become a woman, giving me a way to build important character traits and skills in a safe learning environment, such as being responsible, etiquette, financial and organizational management, ritual and public speaking. And as an alumna, no matter where I have moved, DPhiE has been there to sustain me.
This is part of why I have been so engaged in our foundation--I want to ensure that young women today will have the opportunities to not only take the same pledge we all have taken, but to fully engage in the experience. DPhiE has something unique to offer--we have always been progressive and our founders' story of perseverance is a strong compass to follow. Our founders felt empowered through their support of one another, and our women today need that example and deserve it.
It will take work and faith, but the foundation is focused on building funding in several key areas so that the sorority and our sisters will THRIVE. Look for more information in the coming months. But please know, this is your foundation. We want to hear from you. If money were not an object--what would you want to do for your sisters or women? What difference could your philanthropy make that would be most meaningful to you? Join us--let me know what will make you feel good about giving to DPhiE. Together, we'll ensure an even brighter future for our sisters.
Yours In True Sisterhood~
Heather Locke Green
President
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