Phi Sigma Pi Foundation

The Phi Sigma Pi Foundation exists to generate, preserve and provide financial resources for Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity’s educational, leadership and charitable programs as a means to recognize individual and professional distinction within the brotherhood and its communities.

This non-profit organization was formed in August of 2005 by a small group of Phi Sigma Pi alumni who sought to enhance the realtionship between Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and its financial supporters for the purposes of furthering the fraternity's ability to impact the lives of undergraduate brothers and to protect the fraternity's financial and legal assets.

As of July 2007, the Foundation consists of almost thirty members dedicated to the cause of providing the fraternity with the financial means to enhance the brotherhood beyond what mere undergraduate dues can provide. The Foundation is led by a seven-person Board of Directors elected for three-year rotating terms, and is managed by an Executive Director responsible for the day-to-day activities of the organization.

Members are recognized as the foremost supporters of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and its mission. The Foundation welcomes alumni brothers and non-alumni alike to join the organization or offer their financial or in-kind support to further the goals and vision of the Foundation and Fraternity.

History

Although the initial development efforts began in 2004 with the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity Grand Chapter’s approval, the Foundation’s structure was not formalized until the August 2006. The organization has completed the necessary registration with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and with the IRS to enter full-scale operations.

Carlye Buchanan, CPA had the original concept of a foundation while serving on the National Council of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. The purpose behind needing a separate entity was to provide: asset protection, raise funds for educational programming which otherwise are not available to fraternities, and better leverage alumni support by not having the fundraising duty be a major focus for the already hands-on National Council. She proposed a plan to establish a foundation to the Phi Sigma Pi Grand Chapter at which time they approved the concept of creating the entity.

Herbert Higginbotham was asked by Joshua Marder, Vice-President of Finance for the Fraternity, to assist in the start-up of the Foundation. Herb’s skills of management, follow-through and networking allowed for Herb to be elected as Vice President to the Foundation in 2005.

Within months a team of volunteers were recognized as the chartering Foundation Board of Directors. Just over a year later, the organization completed the admistrative processes to become a corporation within the state of Pennsylvania and be recognized as a federally tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Board Members

The Phi Sigma Pi Foundation is led by the a Board of Directors elected for multi-year terms, in a rotating schedule. Below is the Board for the 2008-2009 year:

• Carlye Buchanan, President
• Jeff Johnson, Vice President of Finance
• Shane Miller, Secretary
• Brittany Bodart, Director-at-large
• Steven DiGuiseppe, Director-at-large
• Odelle Heimiller, Director-at-large
• Adrianne Steichen, Director-at-large

Past Directors include:

• John Finnegan
• Herbert Higginbotham
• Britt Marder
• Ryan Marquiss
• Gene Seevers
• Jeffrey Sugar

Board Committees

The Board utilizes several committees comprised of Foundation Members who work to advance various aspects of the organization. The committee structure is in the process of being re-organized for the 2008-2009 year.

Meetings

• An annual Member meeting is held every summer for the purpose of reporting progress, discussing business, and electing directors to the Board. Periodic e-newsletters are also used to keep the membership abreast of the organization's direction.
• The Board of Directors meets regularly four times a year, and additionally as needed. Board committees meet as needed.

Current Initiatives

• Subrosa Fund – Member in need: The Subrosa Fund is currently funded by the Fraternity’s general operating budget with $2000 allotted for the 2007 fiscal year.
• Todd Tripod Scholarship (undergraduate scholarship): The Todd Tripod Scholarship is currently funded by the Fraternity’s general operating budget of the Fraternity as well as from an annual grant from The Dean’s List totaling $1,500 annually to a single recipient.
• Wood Graduate Scholarship (graduate scholarship): The Wood Graduate Scholarship, while fully funded at $25,000, is currently funded by the Fraternity’s general operating budget totaling $1,000 awarded annually to a single recipient.
• Regional Conference Grants (educational development): The grant monies for the twelve Regional Conference Grants are currently funded by the Fraternity’s general operating budget. $500 for each regional conference ($6,000) is budgeted.
• Leadership Institute (educational and personal development training): The three hour program on average has 300 - 400 registered attendees. The programming activities focus on leadership and management development, personal growth (interviewing skills) and idea trade/best practices shows. Currently the program is being fully funded through the attendees’ event registration.
• Keynote Speakers (educational and motivational development): Professional speakers are contracted to deliver keynotes at our national event. This is provided to heighten the members’ educational experience and member motivation.
• Networking receptions and annual awards banquet: National Alumni Association reception(s) and annual awards banquet are attended by 100 to 350 attendees respectively. The reception is attended by graduating seniors looking to cultivate new relationships with established alumni and is funded by the attendees’ event registration. The latter event is attended by 300-400 attendees and is currently funded by the Fraternity’s operating budget.
• Preservation of assets: Protection of Fraternity assets would cover; three scholarships (Todd, Wood and restricted Dolehanty (Beta Sigma) and one endowment fund (Subrosa)) held / managed, the Fraternity’s goodwill and trademarks and its largest asset to date, the mortgage-free land/building. All expenses associated with these assets are expensed through the operating fund.
• Region Consultant program (training and mission focused development): The Fraternity currently provides five dedicated staff members to the daily chapter operations (four region consultants and the director of member services). This program provides onsite visits to perform evaluations, training and development. The consultants serve as a liaison and communicate the needs of the local chapters back to the National Office. Additionally, this program provides emergency visitation and supplementary resources for such activities as recruiting.
• New Chapter Establishment: The Fraternity targets three universities a year to create stability and encourage growth. The Fraternity currently invests $7,000 per newly established chapter. This investment is not fully funded through the dues and charter fees of the new members and is currently funded through the Fraternity’s operating budget.
• Philanthropic Endeavors: Financial assistance to Phi Sigma Pi’s chosen philanthropic endeavors (currently Teach for America based in New York, New York) to reach new levels. The present solution is to ask members to collect school supplies to be donated. We are looking to heighten this commitment through co-sponsorships of campus speakers/discussion panels and TFA recruiting efforts. These initiatives currently will come at the chapter’s expense.

Future Initiatives

As the Foundation focuses on strengthening the Fraternity’s current programming, the Foundation sets these programming/service goals:

• Endow technological advancements to remain competitive (i.e. Podcasting, wiki utilization for online training, online event registration software)
• Make available convention registration grants to enhance member experience
• Offer TFA/Phi Sigma Pi member grants
• Provide renown keynote speakers at national events that will be open to the public
• Provide 10 fully endowed scholarships for students, alumni, high school students
• NAA receptions / alumni networking events