Ways to Give

The Annual Fund is the lifeblood of Phi Mu Foundation. Donations to the fund support the Foundation’s operating budget, allowing us to administer grants and support programming for the Fraternity and our sisterhood as a whole. Annual Fund dollars are also placed in the Foundation Endowment Fund to grow and provide future support of Phi Mu Foundation objectives.

Your tax-deductible annual support is critical, not only to our success, but to our survival as an organization. There are many ways to participate in annual giving. Members are encouraged to give – at whatever level is attainable – regularly as the most sincere demonstration of their dedication and commitment to Phi Mu. 

Annual Giving Programs

Annual giving programs are the cornerstone of the Annual Fund. The dedicated women who belong to either the 1852 Society, Legacy League or Carnation Club, contribute over $200,000 each year to the Foundation in unrestricted gifts. Membership in a giving program is made easily attainable by offering the option to divide the annual commitment into monthly, quarterly or annual installments, payable by check, credit card or debit.

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Sisters who support Phi Mu programs at the highest level are members of the 1852 Society. In honor of our heritage, membership requires a commitment to an annual gift of at least $1,852 ($155 monthly) in unrestricted funds.

Current 1852 Society Members

 

 

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Membership in Legacy League indicates a dedication to furthering the legacy of Phi Mu with a commitment of an annual gift of $1,000 or more ($84 monthly) in unrestricted funds.

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Carnation Club is comprised of members who commit $500 annually to support Phi Mu ($42 monthly) in unrestricted funds.

Carnation Club Chairman
Pamela Ferguson-Gaines, Epsilon Alpha
 

Direct Mail

Perhaps the most recognizable form of solicitation for the Annual Fund is through our direct mail campaign. Periodically during the year, letters are sent to Foundation members, updating them on current initiatives and reminding them of the need for their financial support. The response to the campaign is steady and a key component in the overall Annual Fund budget.

Phonathon

In April of each year, Foundation staff breaks out the feather boas, sparkling tiaras, telephones, bells, pizza, prizes and best cheerleader voices as they take the annual phonathon to a selected collegiate chapter. The 5-day event is full of fun, laughs, cheers and Phi Mu spirit as more than 6,000 Foundation donors and non-donors receive personal phone calls from a young Phi Mu sister. Competition among callers is fierce and the good-natured and generous response of our alumnae makes it all worthwhile. All contributions to the phonathon are tax-deductible and go directly to the Annual Fund.

E-solicitations

E-mail, and other forms of electronic communication, with our donors continue to increase in popularity. Providing updates on programs, sending “thank you” messages, birthday greetings, requesting secure online donations all fall under our e-solicitation program, which allows us to reach record numbers of Foundation members in an efficient and interactive manner.

Buy a Brick

Show your Phi Mu pride, or honor a special Phi Mu in your life with a lasting tribute, by placing a personalized brick in the beautiful commemorative terrace behind our new Headquarters. Leave a legacy that family, friends and other Phi Mus will enjoy forever.

Bricks are currently $152 ($157 if Greek letters are used in the inscription). Your brick will have three lines of 14 characters and spaces per line. 

Matching Gift Companies

One of the easiest, and most cost efficient methods of increasing your contributions to the Foundation, is through a matching gifts program with your employer. The size of the donations and ratios that employers are willing to match vary. Some offer a set ratio, while others set a maximum dollar amount. To see a list of companies who offer gift matching programs, please click the link below.

Fidelity Society

Sisters who remember Phi Mu Foundation in their will, or other forms of planned giving, become members of the Fidelity Society. In addition to bequests of cash, Fidelity Society members may also bequest – a percentage of , or in full – appreciated assets such as stocks and mutual funds; 401Ks; IRAs; life insurance; annuities and trusts; or gifts of real estate or other property.

Any Phi Mu who remembers the Foundation in her will is an automatic member of Fidelity Society. Please submit a copy of the appropriate estate planning documents to the staff so that we may properly recognize you for your generosity. Please contact Julie Burkhard, Executive Director, at 770-632-2121 or jburkhard@phimu.org, if you have questions about the Fidelity Society or need information on how to establish a planned gift.

Building Endowment Fund

After Phi Mu’s permanent home was completed in 2005, a Building Endowment Fund was established. This endowment maintains and refurbishes the Headquarters as needed. Donors may make contributions designated specifically for the Building Endowment.

The Leona Hughes Hughes Heart and Hand Fund

Phi Mu Foundation provides emergency grants for collegiate and alumnae members of Phi Mu Fraternity who are in good standing and who experience financial distress due to natural disasters, medical emergencies, or other severe personal or family problems.  Grant amounts vary depending on need and available funding.  Grants are provided to assist members with basic necessities such as food, clothing, and housing, for emergency or extra-ordinary medical care, and other purposes.  Chapter dues and obligations are not eligible expenses for grants from this fund.  Donors may choose to designate their gift for the Leona Hughes Hughes Heart and Hand Fund.

Donor Appreciation and Gifts

Every contribution is appreciated and we thoroughly enjoy demonstrating that gratitude through the donor gift program. As a member’s giving adds up over the years, she will reach new levels of giving and will receive a piece of jewelry from the Foundation. Any donor may opt out of the donor appreciation program if she so chooses. Simply contact Julie Burkhard, Executive Director, at 770-632-2121 or jburkhard@phimu.org