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Winter 2020
The official publication for donors and friends of Pi Beta Phi Foundation
A Message from Mary Alice Classen Tinari, Emma Harper Turner Fund Committee Chair Dear Sisters, As we approach the close of an oftentimes arduous year, now is the time to reflect on all our blessings, as well as the ways we have persevered. This year brought unforeseen challenges, and many of us learned just how drastically the world can change in such a short period of time. My career as a nurse in a cancer-care hospital has shown me how quickly life can take a turn with lasting effects. I know firsthand the difficulty of coping and enduring when the water seems too high to bear. My work also has shaped my personal understanding and sense of resilience. My own retirement in June was partially influenced by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America. The silver
lining of retirement is being able to commit more of myself to assisting our Foundation. As the committee chair for the Emma Harper Turner Fund, our Foundation’s designated fund to provide confidential financial assistance to sisters in dire need, I witness the resilience and compassion of our members and donors during some of life’s greatest challenges. Emma Harper Turner Fund grant requests come from members like you – women who are facing unforeseen hardships and have turned to their sisters for assistance, compassion and understanding. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we never know what is to come or when we might be the one reaching out to ask for help. Many of us are blessed to not face this kind of need; while we feel grateful for what we have, I also call on you to spread compassion and support for those facing elevated hardships. I find myself relating so deeply to the women whose grant requests I review. Although I’ve never been a recipient myself, I’ve faced my own challenges and helped many patients, friends and sisters as they face a daunting obstacle. Whether it’s an illness, natural disaster or pandemic, we all cope with these challenges the best we can. To ensure we’re able to provide this support in the future, I ask anyone who can, to give to your Foundation with your sisters in mind. Our Foundation can only give what we receive, so when you give consider that a Pi Phi sister is on the other end expressing gratitude for your generosity. Through the Friendship Fund and the Emma Harper Turner Fund, our Foundation is able to help Pi Phi sisters in need — and every gift counts. While gifts to the Emma Harper Turner Fund directly fund grants, gifts to the Friendship Fund help
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Donor Spotlight
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Impact Spotlight
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Points of Interest
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Save the Date
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our Foundation continue its critical operations including supporting this and other programmatic efforts. Your support makes this possible, and I’m grateful for all of you and the Lifelong Commitment you show to Pi Beta Phi. In Pi Phi,
Mary Alice Classen Tinari, North Carolina Beta Emma Harper Turner Fund Committee Chair
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Time, Talent, Treasure Every Pi Phi sister can make an impact, no matter when her story starts. Washington Alpha KIM KIMMY TOMCZAK began her Pi Phi story after graduating college when she first heard about Pi Beta Phi from her friend, South Carolina Alpha RUTH HENDERSON MCINTYRE. Not having been affiliated with a sorority in college, Kim had no knowledge about fraternity and sorority life. Her first glimpse was when Ruth gathered several Pi Phis together after one of their sisters lost everything in a fire. “Within a half an hour, Pi Phis had gone to this woman’s home with clothing, dishes and gift certificates to help with housing, childcare or whatever else the family needed,” Kim says. It was this act of Sincere Friendship that sparked Kim’s interest in Pi Beta Phi. Ruth later invited Kim to join Pi Phi as an alumna initiate of the Washington Alpha Chapter at the University of Washington. Kim quickly made up for lost time by serving in many roles
From left to right: Washington Alpha KIM KIMMY TOMCZAK and past Grand President EMILY RUSSELL TARR, Texas Beta, at the 2007 Convention.
through Emma Harper Turner Fund grants.” The same spirit of giving that initially sparked Kim’s interest in Pi Phi led her to support and serve our Foundation as a volunteer and donor.
within the Seattle, Washington, and Greater Princeton Area, New
A passionate advocate for literacy in her personal life, Pi Phi’s
Jersey, Alumnae Clubs, where she planned events, organized
Read > Lead > Achieve® initiatives became an important area
fundraisers and regularly represented the clubs at convention.
of support for Kim. “If you can read and you have a love of
At the 2007 Convention, Kim heard past Grand President EMILY RUSSELL TARR, Texas Beta, discuss the power we have to change the world. Kim remembers this as the moment that inspired her involvement with Pi Beta Phi Foundation. “Pi Phi can do so much good,” Kim says. “Through our Foundation, we can provide scholarships, support literacy and help sisters
Region 5 alumnae celebrating 150 years at the 2017 Convention.
reading, you can literally change the world,” she says. Kim believes putting books into the hands of children is one of the most immediate ways to make an impact. It was this passion for literacy which eventually led Kim to write her first children’s book, Locked Out in the Snow.
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use their book as a way to directly give back to our sisterhood and communities across North America. With every book sold to members, they decided to donate one dollar to The Literacy Fund at Pi Beta Phi Foundation. Kim and Hannah have already collaborated on two books and are currently working on their third. Their friendship speaks to the heart of our sisterhood — two women from different chapters coming together because of their shared Pi Phi values. Kim says, “We never would have known each other if it weren’t for this book.” Kim and Hannah grew close throughout the illustration process and even brought each other closer to Pi Phi. Kim’s passion for our sisterhood encouraged Hannah to become more involved Washington Alpha KIM KIMMY TOMCZAK (right) holds a copy of her recent children’s book that she authored with Montana Alpha HANNAH TRAVER CONNAUGHTON.
in her local alumnae club and Pi Beta Phi Foundation. Their friendship has allowed both women to channel their passion for literacy and build upon the connections they’ve made within
Inspired by her mother’s diaries, Kim quickly wrote the story
the Fraternity to make an impact. As Kim’s involvement with
based on an event from her childhood. However, finding an
Pi Phi has grown, she has continued to meet sisters with the
illustrator to bring her story to life proved to be a challenge. Kim
same desire to change the world.
met with several artists before she finally spoke with Montana Alpha HANNAH TRAVER CONNAUGHTON. Brought together by their shared sisterhood, the two connected through their love for the Fraternity and passion for literacy.
“If you can read and you have a love of reading, you can literally change the world.”
Throughout Kim’s time in Pi Phi, she has been intentional in her support of our Fraternity and Foundation. She notes, “It’s about giving your time, talent and treasure.” Through her volunteer roles, financial support and – more recently – her book, Kim has continued to show her dedication to our sisterhood. “I believe we can truly make a difference when we invest in Pi Beta Phi. We just have to look at the future and ask ourselves what we are going to do to make it better,” she says. Kim recognizes our
Although Kim and Hannah didn’t originally create the book to
Foundation’s work as critical to carrying out the mission of our
support literacy, they both realized they had an opportunity to
Fraternity and considers her support of Pi Beta Phi Foundation
make an impact. Pi Phi’s philanthropic efforts inspired them to
an investment in the future.
The
Power of Pi Phi
Pi Beta Phi members hold the power to change the lives of those around them, and the lives of many whom they’ll never meet. That’s the power of investing in literacy and leadership development. With a gift to our Foundation, you provide Pi Phi the resources we need today to ensure we meet the needs of tomorrow. Whether we’re empowering the next generation of leaders, funding literacy grants or improving access to education through scholarships, your annual gifts to the Friendship Fund provide the operational support that makes all Pi Phi programs possible. Gifts to our Foundation in support of literacy play a critical role in the success of Pi Phi’s Read > Lead > Achieve initiatives, inspiring a lifelong love of reading like Kim's. The power of a sisterhood filled with women with that same drive is what Pi Beta Phi and our Foundation cultivates in our members through your support.
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Building a Better World — One Leader at a Time first day of recruitment, I instantly felt at home. I knew right away it would be my first choice.” Angie believes in the power of Pi Phi to build confident women leaders. She not only sees the ways Pi Phi’s programs develop leadership skills in our collegians and alumnae, but also knows their benefit firsthand. Angie has served in numerous civic and volunteer leadership roles, and even was elected mayor of Long Grove, Illinois, the suburban Chicago village she calls home. She credits her experiences in Pi Phi with building the leadership skills and confidence she has carried throughout her postcollege life. Illinois Iota ANGIE KILLIAN UNDERWOOD (right) with her husband, Aaron.
Initially, Angie worked as a dietitian in a hospital setting and
Illinois Iota ANGIE KILLIAN UNDERWOOD remembers the
for senior citizens. When her husband took a job that required
first gift she made to Pi Phi in the mid-1980s. As a recent college
extensive travel, Angie opted to stay home with her three
graduate and newlywed, she didn’t see herself in a position to
children for the next 20-plus years and was able to explore
give. “I remember getting a letter, and I think I gave 25 dollars,”
a different skill set. “I became what I call a ‘serial volunteer’
Angie recalls. “I felt like I had no money, but I wanted to support
for many different causes — schools, Scouting, community
Pi Phi because it was so important in my life.”
organizations,” she says. “I’d join a group, and a few years later,
Several decades later, Angie has not only continued to support Pi Phi, but has made giving to our Foundation a philanthropic priority. As a member of the Evelyn Peters Kyle Society, she is among the donors who provide the essential financial support Pi Phi needs every year. Angie chooses to direct her gifts to
later for a company that operated home meal delivery programs
would be asked to take on a significant leadership role.”
“I want to put my money somewhere it’s going to make a difference — not just fix a crisis, but help build a better world.”
the Friendship Fund, which provides unrestricted funds that
She realized others recognized and valued her ability to
make all Pi Phi programs possible as well as the operational
lead, noting women would ask her how she was able to stay
functions needed to support them. Gifts like Angie’s provide the
organized or run a meeting so smoothly. “I told them a lot of it
resources Pi Phi needs today to ensure we can meet the needs
comes from Pi Phi,” Angie says. “Sorority membership is not just
of tomorrow. “I want to put my money somewhere it’s going to
about a social life. Pi Phi is where I learned and perfected my
make a difference — not just fix a crisis, but help build a better
leadership and volunteer skills. My experience was so important
world,” she says.
in moving up and progressing throughout life and what was
Coming from a small town in Illinois, Angie felt a bit overwhelmed by the transition to Illinois State University’s
in store for me later on, whether it was the Scouts or serving as Mayor of my town.”
campus. She calls Pi Phi the home within a home that made her
Soon after they became empty nesters, Angie and her husband,
college experience much more comfortable. Having grown up in
Aaron, reviewed their charitable giving and identified the causes
a family with only brothers, she found the idea of participating
closest to their hearts. Angie chose to increase her support of
in recruitment appealing. “I went from a tiny high school of 250
Pi Phi and feels grateful she can give at the Evelyn Peters Kyle
students to a campus of more than 25,000 people,” Angie says.
Society level. The value she sees in Pi Phi’s ability to create
“Pi Phi was perfect for me. When I walked into the house on the
leaders influences her decision to give to the Friendship Fund.
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“I know the Friendship Fund impacts all areas of the member experience, including leadership development,” she says. “From the perspective of an elected official, women’s leadership is one realm where we need to make progress in the United States. We need more women in high leadership and political positions, in college. Pi Phi is there on the ground level, training women to
Every Sister, Every Year
be leaders for our future.”
Gifts to the Friendship Fund help our Foundation
which will only happen by training women to succeed starting
Angie encourages her sisters to consider the role Pi Phi continues to play in their lives when making their charitable giving decisions. “Giving is very personal,” she says. “I try to be grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in my own life — those things that made a difference for me and encouraged me to get where I am. Pi Phi is definitely one of those things.” Although Angie’s chapter recently closed, she notes her financial support
fulfill Pi Phi’s mission, supporting every sister, every year. These unrestricted gifts allow us to respond to Pi Phi’s most urgent needs — maintaining essential support for the leadership, literacy, scholarship and emergency assistance programs that empower our sisters — and the needs driven by the rapidly changing world.
of our Foundation has only deepened her affinity for our
The Friendship Fund also provides critical financial
sisterhood. “My personal connection is to something bigger,
resources for the work behind Pi Phi’s philanthropic
and it’s important for me to keep that connection going by
support — the engine that keeps our Foundation
giving back,” Angie says. “Giving to the Friendship Fund, which
running. For every collegian who attends leadership
supports all Pi Phis, fosters that greater connection.”
training, every alumna who receives a fellowship and
Donors join the Evelyn Peters Kyle Society by making annual gifts of $1,000 or more to our Foundation. Visit pibetaphi.org/giving to learn more about supporting Pi Phi with a leadership-level gift.
every child who receives her first book from Pi Phi, people and processes are in place to ensure funds are raised, donors are thanked, grants are given and programs operate smoothly. Without support from the Friendship Fund, we would not be able to dedicate the time and operational resources required to advance the work behind all our other endeavors and inspire more Pi Phis and friends to give. Learn more about the Friendship Fund by connecting with your Foundation through a virtual visit. Our staff members and volunteers can share more about the impact you can make with a gift and discuss the giving opportunities that best fit your philanthropic goals. To schedule your virtual visit, call our Foundation at (636) 256-1357 or email fndn@pibetaphi.org. If you’d like to make a gift today, visit give.pibetaphi.org.
Arlington Heights, Illinois, Alumnae Club President MELISSA BARNES DICKSTEIN, Illinois Iota, with fellow Illinois Iota ANGIE KILLIAN UNDERWOOD at a fundraising event for literacy. Note: Photo was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Pi Phi Awards FDS500 Grants
Attend Convention 2021 — Virtually
As we celebrated Read > Lead > Achieve Month in September,
Pi Beta Phi’s 73rd biennial Convention will make history as
applications opened for chapters and clubs to support their
our first ever virtual convention. Grand Council has made the
local communities through FDS500 grants. At a time when
difficult but prudent decision to move Convention 2021 to a
COVID-19 has created so many new challenges for educators and
virtual format, with no in-person meeting following a critical
students, we wanted to help meet the need for physical reading
look at the ability of the Fraternity to offer a premier convention
materials in schools and classrooms.
experience while addressing unique challenges presented by
We are so Pi Phi Proud to say your support made it possible for us to stretch our support and fulfill every one of the 107 applications we received. Giving to The Literacy Fund at your Foundation makes it possible to support literacy on both international and local levels. Fulfilling all these grant requests allowed Pi Beta Phi members, chapters and clubs to distribute almost 47,000 books to students and families in their communities.
COVID-19. A virtual convention presents some extraordinary opportunities, including the ability to engage far more members in this once-a-biennium sisterhood celebration! At this point, details have yet to be confirmed but as more information becomes available, updates will be communicated. We look forward to sharing our plans and celebrating virtually with all of you in June. Learn more at pibetaphi.org/events.
Engage Virtually with Your Foundation Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Foundation staff and volunteers have been conducting virtual visits with donors through digital platforms including Zoom and FaceTime. Setting aside a few minutes to connect with your Foundation — whether individually, with a group or even as an alumnae club activity — helps sisters and friends of Pi Phi remain connected despite physical distance. In addition to staying connected, these visits provide a way to discuss giving opportunities including long-term giving goals, creating a scholarship, establishing a planned gift and updating information on file. If you are interested in a virtual visit with a member of our Foundation staff or volunteer team, please contact Director of Advancement JILL MACKEY CARREL, Indiana Gamma, at jcarrel@pibetaphi.org.
Left: Librarian and FDS500 grant recipient Irene Sandoval welcomes the new books provided by Pi Beta Phi Foundation donors at Grace Thille Elementary School in Santa Paula, California. Grace Thille Elementary was nominated by the Conejo Valley, California, Alumnae Club.
Winter 2020
Apply for Foundation Scholarships Applications for 2021-2022 academic scholarships are now open! Undergraduate, Graduate Fellowship and Alumnae Continuing Education (ACE) Scholarships benefit members at any stage of their educational pursuits. Applications must be completed and submitted in their entirety, including recommendations, before 11:59 p.m. PST on February 15, 2021. See the full application criteria and begin your online application at pibetaphi.org/scholarships.
Right: Nebraska Gamma BETHANY BAUMGARTNER celebrated receiving the Nebraska Gamma Scholarship with a photo of her scholarship recipient letter.
Honor and Celebrate a Sister As we celebrate this holiday season, we encourage you to reflect on the past year and thank a sister who supported you in 2020. You can honor and celebrate the sisters who have touched your life with friendship, loyalty and love by sending them a virtual wine carnation with a gift to our Foundation. Colorado Gamma CHRISTIANA HOLLADAY honored the extra work of her chapter sister SARA EDGAR during the pandemic as a chapter officer. She sent a wine carnation saying, “Sara, you are an amazing leader and deserve all the recognition in the world! I know this is not the presidency that you had wished for, but you are giving your all and I am so grateful for your leadership!” When you send a wine carnation to a sister, your support helps our Foundation respond to Pi Phi’s most pressing needs — maintaining essential support for the leadership, literacy, scholarship and emergency assistance programs that empower our members. Visit give.pibetaphi.org/carnation to honor a sister today.
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1154 Town & Country Commons Drive Town & Country, Missouri 63017
Shared Vision of Pi Beta Phi To be recognized as a premier organization for women by providing lifelong enrichment to its members and contributing to the betterment of society.
Mission Pi Beta Phi Foundation enables the Fraternity to realize its mission and ensures the future of our sisterhood.
Board of Trustees President Kathy Wager Sprague, Alabama Gamma Vice President Finance Mary Jane Buchele Johnson, Illinois Eta Vice President Development Terre McFillen Hall, Ohio Alpha Secretary Gina Garrison Jones, Nebraska Beta Trustees Jennifer Windell Hazelton, Virginia Eta Leslie Magnus, New Jersey Alpha Wendy Labreche Pratt, Massachusetts Beta Cindy Rice Svec, Kansas Beta Ex-Officio Marla Neelly Wulf, Kansas Beta Brenda Balkunas Wirth, Wisconsin Alpha
Staff Executive Director Hallee Winnie, Michigan Gamma Director of Advancement Jill Mackey Carrel, Indiana Gamma Director of Operations & Programs Betsy West McCune, Missouri Alpha
Save the Date for Pi Phi Giving Day
Director of Finance & Administration Kim Sherman
Pi Phi Giving Day is April 28, 2021! Join sisters and friends
Individual Giving Officer Courtney Hammock, Colorado Epsilon
around the world to celebrate and care for our sisterhood
Development and Engagement Manager Emily Karcher, Maryland Gamma
visit piphigivingday.org and use #PiPhiGivingDay on
Development and Engagement Manager Megan Schwedtmann
by making a gift to the Friendship Fund. After April 1, social media to help spread the word and share why you support Pi Beta Phi!
Finance & Programs Specialist Mary Beth Unger Roy, Missouri Alpha
Stay connected all year long! pibetaphi.org/foundation
@PiBetaPhi
@PiBetaPhiHQ
@PiBetaPhiHQ
