2019-20 Phi Mu Foundation Annual Report

Dear Sisters and Friends:

The past year has certainly been one for the history books and I’m glad to share with you that through it all, the commitment of the Foundation and its donors is as strong as it has ever been.

We began the year with an incredibly generous unrestricted bequest from the Arthur J. Sagle Family Trust in honor of his mother, Maud Tachell Sagle, Eta Beta. With nearly $534,300 directed into funds that support academic scholarships, leadership and educational programming and more, the impact of this gift on Phi Mu women will be felt for years to come.

When the pandemic hit the U.S. hard in March, the Foundation was in the middle of our largest Annual Fund effort, the M3 Campaign. We knew our communities and Phi Mu sisters were facing unprecedented times and that our members needed us now more than ever. We expanded the impact of the M3 Campaign to support Member Assistance Funds and help support sisters who had been impacted by COVID-19. The second turning point in strategy was made in preparation of virtual Convention when we launched the Caring Carnations campaign to support the Fraternity’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work and later, the Board of Trustees voted to direct $25,000 in unrestricted funds to establishing the first-ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund.

While we have faced extraordinary circumstances this fiscal year, it was your generosity and loyalty to the Foundation that allowed us to respond to the pressing needs of our members when they needed it the most. Looking ahead, the needs of our members will continue to grow, which is why you’ll begin to hear more from us in the coming months about our plan to increase our capacity to serve our members through the next campaign for Phi Mu.

We’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and together with your steadfast commitment to Phi Mu Foundation, we will continue to make an incredible difference in the lives of Phi Mu women.

Robin White Fanning, BI

2020-2022 Foundation President

Kristin Tofanelli, KM

Executive Director

OUR MISSION

2019-20 IMPACT THROUGH YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

Empowering Women to Become Lifelong Leaders

As a literary organization founded by three women who were amongst the first to pioneer their way through college, Phi Mu has rooted itself in leadership and education since 1852. By investing in Phi Mu Fraternity’s innovative leadership and educational programs, we are empowering Phi Mu women with the tools they need to not only excel during their four years in college, but for a lifetime.

MEET FAYE YANG, DELTA BETA

“The leadership skills I have gained from both Phi Mu Leadership Institute and Phi Mu Officer Academy have shaped me into the Phi Mu woman I am proud to be today — an individual who is giving, empathetic, and confident. I will forever cherish these experiences as defining moments of my college career.”

MEET JESSICA OSWALD, GAMMA MU

“Serving on National Council is a huge honor. I’m in this role because Phi Mu Foundation helped get my volunteer life started many years ago when they funded a scholarship for me to serve as a Graduate Counselor for the Gamma Lambda Chapter at the University of North Carolina. That scholarship helped me become a Registered Dietician and helped me see that Phi Mu isn’t just for four years!”

MEET TAYLOR HARRIS, EPSILON PI

“My experience at Phi Mu Leadership Institute pushed me to dive deep into what connects us as sisters and women and has inspired me to continue to strive to lead my chapter and inspire others. I want to personally thank all that donate to Phi Mu Foundation for this experience!”

The Foundation granted Phi Mu Fraternity $155,480 in 2019-20 to support the following programming:

$80,000

for Chapter Consultant Program from the Fraternity Grant Fund

To provide partial funding for leadership training of chapter officers and members. This includes leadership training, communication skills, conflict resolution, strategic planning, goal setting, academic achievement and philanthropic activities within a chapter and in the campus community.

$25,000

for Phi Mu Leadership Institute from the Fraternity Grant Fund

To provide funding for leadership development programming for emerging collegiate chapter leaders.

$12,500

for Behind Happy Faces Mental Health Series for Collegiate Members from the Annie Laurie Horsfall Fund in honor of the Delta Beta Chapter

To provide funding that will support and enhance the mental health and emotional development of collegiate members through a five-program series.

$10,080

for the Becoming a Dangerous Woman Book Grant for Convention Attendees with $6,680 from the Fraternity Grant Fund and $3,400 from the Betty Nell Wilkinson Lecture Series Fund

To provide 600 copies of Alpha Alpha alumna Pat Mitchell’s book Becoming a Dangerous Woman; one copy of the book for every 2020 Convention attendee.

$6,700

for Phi Mu Officer Academy Keynote Speaker from the Betty Nell Wilkinson Lecture Series Fund

To provide funding for Colene Eldridge of Be More Consulting to speak to Phi Mu Officer Academy attendees and facilitators and empower them to lead with purpose.

$6,000

for Behind Happy Faces Adviser Resource Series from the Frances Larmer Advisers’ Forum Fund

To provide funding that will give Advisers the tools they need to effectively address the mental health challenges that members are experiencing and ensure that Advisers are aware of the necessary steps to handle crises. This is the second year that the Foundation has supported this series.

$6,000

for Adviser Competency Model Training Program from the Frances Larmer Advisers’ Forum Fund

To provide funding for a training program that is a long-term competency-based strategy for Advisers, Advisory Councils and Area Operations and Finance Directors.

$5,200

for Anti-Hazing Video from the McAteer Leadership and Education Fund

To provide funding for the production and filming of an anti-hazing video to educate collegiate members on the physical and psychological problems related to hazing.

$4,000

for Alcohol Skills Training from the Annie Laurie Horsfall Fund in Honor of the Delta Beta Chapter

To provide funding for an alcohol skills training program to teach collegiate members critical skills to utilize when deciding whether or not to drink alcohol, how much they want to drink and what to do if they or a peer has had too much to drink.

Creating a Pathway to
a More Affordable Education

Each year when we award Phi Mu Foundation scholarships, we’re flooded with letters from recipients that remind us of
the critical role these scholarships play in women receiving their education. Whether it’s to help an undergraduate
woman cut back on her hours at work this semester or to help a medical student reduce the amount of loans she’ll have
to take out that semester, Phi Mu Foundation scholarships are helping women reach their highest potential.

MEET LYDIA JETT, ALPHA LAMBDA

“Growing up, I did not have the slightest idea that I would attend college especially with my mother passing away so early in my childhood and being separated from my family. With a scholarship like this, I am able to achieve my dreams of becoming a teacher and use it to help define a new life for myself despite all of my life setbacks.

This scholarship gives me hope, inspiration, and confidence in myself and my studies. Phi Mu gives me the courage to live every day as if it is a new day full of complete unimaginable possibilities. I am so thankful to have found the family I never knew I could have through Phi Mu. God has brought Phi Mu to me and I will always be thankful. I will be forever grateful for the Phi Mu Foundation and its immense impact on my life.”

THE FOUNDATION
AWARDED 151 PHI MU WOMEN WITH $159,000
IN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2019-20
TO PURSUE THEIR UNDERGRADUATE AND
GRADUATE-LEVEL EDUCATION.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LISTING

MEET MALEKA MAU, IOTA ALPHA

“Receiving a Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a medical social worker that was first inspired by my late mother. Watching her go through a double lung transplant and dialysis made me so appreciative of her interdisciplinary team of social workers. I realized that I wanted to be able to give back to a group of people that helped me and my family during my mom's journey!”

THE FOUNDATION
AWARDED 151 PHI MU WOMEN WITH $159,000
IN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2019-20
TO PURSUE THEIR UNDERGRADUATE AND
GRADUATE-LEVEL EDUCATION.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LISTING

MEET ERINI PAPAS, GAMMA TAU

“My parents’ income was adversely affected by the pandemic, and as such I will be financially responsible for all of the costs of medical school. I am very grateful to Phi Mu Foundation for lessening that burden during this time, and look forward to paying it forward in the future!”

THE FOUNDATION
AWARDED 151 PHI MU WOMEN WITH $159,000
IN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2019-20
TO PURSUE THEIR UNDERGRADUATE AND
GRADUATE-LEVEL EDUCATION.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LISTING

the foundation invested $33,863 in 2019-20 in these historic preservation projects:

$20,494

in a professional restoration of the three Founders’ hand-
painted portraits and frames that are proudly on
display at Phi Mu National Headquarters.

$10,075

in support of the Philomathean Room at the Cannonball House, the Heritage Museum at Phi Mu National Headquarters and the Phi Mu archives.

$3,292

in having the historic library of Phi Mu books professionally cleaned.

“As the second oldest fraternal women’s organization, Phi Mu played a significant role in the women’s movement during the course of American history."

Historic Preservation Chairman Edith Brady, Gamma Gamma

Responding in Times of Crisis

Phi Mu members have been met with several challenges over the past year, including the global pandemic of COVID-19
which resulted in health and wellness issues and unemployment for many women and their families.

Through our Member Assistance Funds – the Leona Hughes Hughes Heart and Hand Fund and the Betty Nell Wilkinson
Emergency Fund – we’re able to provide members with financial support to help with tuition and education expenses,
along with basic necessities of food, clothing, shelter, transportation, utilities, and/or medical care.

MEET LEX AHRENS, ZETA ZETA

"When the campus of St. Louis University closed in March due to COVID-19, I never imagined what was ahead for my friends and family. As the virus became more widespread, it impacted my parents’ jobs, especially my dad, who works in commissioned sales. In a matter of weeks, my family’s income was reduced by 63 percent and we were faced with having to make significant reductions in the way we live, including how I was going to pay tuition. I found out that I had been awarded a grant from the Betty Nell Wilkinson Emergency Fund at the end of May and just a few weeks later, I found out I had also been awarded a Foundation Scholarship through the St. Louis/Elizabeth Millman Alumnae Educational Fund. The Foundation has been a true blessing to me and my family during this time."

IN 2019-20, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED
EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO
12 WOMEN TOTALING $21,935

MEET HANNAH DELGADO, ALPHA LAMBDA

“At a time of such uncertainty, the support of Phi Mu, its members, and those who care for my family and me helped to make a lasting impact. This moment was so much more than a grant; it solidified the values and kindness of so many women that are near and dear to my heart.”

IN 2019-20, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED
EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO
12 WOMEN TOTALING $21,935

MEET JILL ELLIS, KAPPA PI

“After losing my husband, I never expected to find myself in a position where I would have to ask for this type of help, but I was treated with dignity and respect and the grant allowed me some time to make sure I found the right job.”

IN 2019-20, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED
EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO
12 WOMEN TOTALING $21,935

2019-20 financial overview

donor listings

Want to know more? Send us an email at foundation@phimu.org