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Donor Spotlight: Susi Kiefer

Donor Spotlight: Susi Kiefer (Illinois)

For Susi Kiefer (Illinois), Phi Mu is more than a lifelong bond—it’s a legacy of love, leadership, and service. With an impressive list of volunteer roles and her continued support through the 1852 Society, Susi has spent decades giving back to the sisterhood that helped shape her.

Her journey includes service as National Music Chairwoman, 1852 Society Co-Chairwoman, multiple leadership roles within the Milwaukee and Chicago West Suburban Alumnae Chapters, and numerous positions within the Delta Beta (Illinois) Chapter Advisory Council.

Why Susi Gives

“Donating to Phi Mu Foundation is truly a privilege, an opportunity to actively support our beloved Fraternity and to join many generous donors of the past.”

Susi knows firsthand the life-changing impact of Foundation programs. As a recipient of an academic scholarship, she was able to pursue her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Michigan—a pivotal step in her professional journey.

Her Favorite Way Phi Mu Foundation Gives Back

While she values every aspect of Phi Mu Foundation’s mission, academic scholarships and leadership training stand out as her personal favorites.

“All four Foundation areas are immensely significant in empowering and supporting Phi Mu women.”

“Thank you for your generosity! You will experience great joy in joining together with hundreds of sisters in supporting the women and legacy of our beloved Fraternity!”

Susi believes Phi Mu Foundation’s future is as bright as its history.

“In its nearly 70 years since inception, Phi Mu Foundation has continually facilitated immensely positive impact for Phi Mu Fraternity. I am fully confident that the Foundation’s remarkable influence will continue to thrive, expand, and flourish. Phi Mu is truly for a lifetime!”

Thank you, Susi, for your leadership, your generosity, and your unwavering belief in the power of sisterhood. You continue to inspire the next generation of Phi Mu women.

Ready to follow in Susi’s footsteps? Join the legacy of support and make your gift to Phi Mu Foundation today.

Donor Spotlight: Melanie Matthews

Donor Spotlight: Melanie Matthews (USC Upstate)

For Melanie Matthews (USC Upstate), Phi Mu has been more than just a sisterhood—it’s been a guiding force in her life, shaping her both personally and professionally. Through years of dedicated service, she has continued to give back to the organization that has given her so much.

Melanie currently serves as the Delta Area Alumnae Chapter Specialist and Legacy League Co-Chair, supporting alumnae engagement and strengthening connections among Phi Mu sisters. Her past roles, including National Alumnae Committee Member, Area Alumnae Director, and Collegiate Operations Director, reflect her deep commitment to ensuring Phi Mu’s impact extends to future generations.

For Melanie, supporting Phi Mu Foundation is about creating opportunities for the next generation of Phi Mu women.

“Since joining Phi Mu, it has continued to be one of the most important parts of my life. Phi Mu shaped me into the woman I am today, both personally and professionally. Donating to Phi Mu Foundation gives me the assurance that some young woman is being given the same opportunity that I was given to grow and become who she is meant to be!”

Her Favorite Way Phi Mu Foundation Gives Back

While Melanie appreciates all the ways Phi Mu Foundation supports its members, leadership development is closest to her heart.

“I love everything that Foundation does for Phi Mu and its members. My favorite is leadership development because I feel this was an area that truly impacted my life.”

Advice for First-Time Donors

If you’re considering making your first gift to Phi Mu Foundation, Melanie has one piece of advice: just start.

“Start somewhere. Even if you can only give a few dollars a month or even a year, it is a start, and it shows dedication. Every little bit is a boost for Phi Mu!”

To Melanie, giving back to Phi Mu Foundation is a way to ensure the lasting strength of an organization that has been an important part of her life.

Thank you, Melanie, for your unwavering dedication to Phi Mu and Phi Mu Foundation. Your generosity and service continue to make a lasting impact on our sisterhood!

Join Melanie in making a difference. Give back to Phi Mu Foundation today.

18 Hours & 52 Minutes of Giving: March 4, 2025

Phi Mu’s 173rd Founders Day is right around the corner, and we’ll be celebrating this milestone anniversary with our annual 18 Hours & 52 Minutes of Giving! Founders Day is the perfect day to give back to Phi Mu with a gift to invest in the lifetime development of women.  

 

Here are a few ways you can get involved in supporting 18 Hours & 52 Minutes of Giving on March 4: 

  • Volunteer with our Social Media Advocate team and help spread the word about 18 Hours & 52 Minutes of Giving. 
  • Join the Day of Giving Leadership Circle with a gift of at least $500 to help us inch closer to our goal of raising $110,000 in 18 Hours & 52 Minutes!  
  • Become a Challenge Champion by establishing a special challenge to be featured on the day of giving. Challenges can be secured with a gift of $1,852 and can be split by up to 4 people. Deadline for challenges is Friday, February 28. 
  • Make a Gift to the day of giving! You don’t have to wait until March 4 to make a general gift to 18 Hours & 52 Minutes. The website will be open on February 25. We’ll update this article with the link on that day. 

 

If you have any questions or would like more information on how you can be a part of 18 Hours & 52 Minutes of Giving, please contact Director of Development Angel Sorochak. 

 

Contributions to 18 Hours & 52 Minutes of Giving benefit the Annual Fund, which ensures the Foundation can maintain healthy operations, while also empowering the Board of Trustees to grant funds for academic scholarships, leadership and educational programs, emergency member assistance and the preservation of our Fraternity’s history. Contributions to Phi Mu Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.  

Click here to read our Privacy Policy and Donation Disclosures 

 

Follow us @PhiMuFoundation on Facebook, Instagram and X for more updates leading up to the big day! 

CMN Hospitals Internship Stipend Application Open – 2025

Phi Mu Foundation is excited to offer the “Happy” Parker Lowden Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Internship Stipend to a Phi Mu collegian. The Foundation provides a stipend for 150 hours of service in connection with a CMN Hospitals Development Office, CMN Hospital, or CMN Hospitals National Headquarters.  Service may take place during the school year, in the summer, or in an interim session between semesters.

How will the Children’s Miracle Network Internship Stipend benefit me?

The internship stipend promotes career networking skills, provides work experience, and encourages local Phi Mu involvement with CMN Hospitals, Phi Mu’s National Philanthropy.  The intern may be pursuing a major in any subject, such as journalism, medicine, public relations, business, etc.

What are the criteria for the award?

  1. Applicant must be an initiated Phi Mu in good standing.
  2. Applicant must submit a resume that includes Phi Mu experience, work experience, and academic activities.
  3. Applicant will coordinate with CMN Hospitals personnel to develop a plan for service, which will include goals and objectives, applicant’s career plans, and specific tasks to reach the established goals. She will also demonstrate work to promote/organize a campus/community fundraising event.
  4. She will submit a statement of how this internship will promote her career goals and what she hopes to gain from the experience.

How do I apply?

  • Click here to download and complete the application. Attach the completed form with supporting documentation to ktofanelli@phimu.org
  • Include the following items:
    • Resume (include Phi Mu experience, work experience and academic activities).
    • A statement of how this internship will assist with future career plans.
    • An endorsement letter from the CMN Hospitals personnel who will serve as your supervisor.
    • A plan for service, which should be developed with CMN Hospitals personnel, and includes goals and objectives as well as specific tasks to reach the established goals.
    • Progress of work on organizing a campus/community fundraising event.

All items must be emailed to:

     Kristin Tofanelli

     Attn: CMN Hospitals Internship Stipend

     ktofanelli@phimufoundation.org

Applications are due March 15.