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 relationship 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 administrative 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 2009-2010 year:

• Carlye Buchanan, President
• Dave Batts, Vice President of Finance
• Shane Miller, Secretary
• Ted Daniels, Director-at-large
• Colleen Donathan, Director-at-large
• Travis Smith, Director-at-large
• Alexandra Spirer, Director-at-large

Past Directors include:

• Steven DiGuiseppe
• John Finnegan
• Odelle Heimiller
• Herbert Higginbotham
• Jeff Johnson
• Britt Marder
• Ryan Marquiss
• Gene Seevers
• Adrianne Steichen
• Jeffrey Sugar

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.

Initiatives

Main Article: Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Initiatives