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Empowering Organizational Resilience Through Planned Giving
As a sisterhood, Pi Beta Phi has set lofty goals and aims to foster Sincere Friendships, empower generations of women leaders, reduce barriers to literacy for all children and contribute to the betterment of society. These goals set Pi Phi apart as an organization of women seeking to live the values they hold dear and ensure they leave behind a positive impact for all.
Each Pi Phi commits herself to these visions for the future and contributes to these goals through involvement in the sisterhood. Whether it’s attending or planning a collegiate philanthropic event, facilitating leadership development programs or giving to the Friendship Fund to support essential programs, members contribute to achieving organizational goals in numerous ways.
In a time when resilience is crucial to the future of the organization, your support of Pi Beta Phi and your Foundation is motivating and essential. Your Lifelong Commitment makes it possible to continue seeking those lofty goals, as well as support the organizational needs of the Fraternity. During this time of increased uncertainty, knowing there is a strong coalition of Pi Phis and friends standing together makes all the difference. One group of women and friends who are integral to furthering the mission and vision of Pi Beta Phi are the members of the Marianne Reid Wild Society at Pi Beta Phi Foundation. The namesake of this donor society, Kansas Alpha MARIANNE REID WILD, was a pillar of Pi Phi for more than 60 years, serving as Province Vice President, Assistant Grand Vice President, Grand Vice President and Grand President. During her six years as Grand President, she installed seven chapters and in 1966 was named Grand President Emerita.
On top of giving her time and talent to the Fraternity, Marianne also pioneered support for our Foundation by becoming the first alumna to bequeath a significant planned gift, naming Pi Beta Phi Foundation as the primary beneficiary of her estate. Hers was the first planned gift of its size, establishing our endowment and cementing her legacy as a Pi Phi during her lifetime and beyond. Not only did Marianne’s generosity of spirit impact the lives of the members she served, but her legacy continues as a beacon of philanthropy for current and future Pi Phis to model.
Kansas Alpha MARIANNE REID WILD with fellow Past Grand President South Carolina Alpha SARAH RUTH “SIS” MULLIS.
In honor of her steadfast commitment to our sisterhood, the many Pi Beta Phi members and friends who choose to make planned gifts to our Foundation are members of the Marianne Reid Wild Society. Each November, our Foundation honors the legacy of Marianne and celebrates the members and friends who have followed in her footsteps.
The ability to plan for the future is crucial to both the Fraternity and Foundation. When the effects of COVID-19 nearly halted all chapter and club philanthropic efforts last year, support for the Friendship Fund decreased by 38% compared to the previous year. The Friendship Fund is the primary way the Foundation fulfills its mission and ensures the future of Pi Beta Phi. The world always needs Pi Phi leaders, but right now it’s clear why courageous, empowered women are so critical. We hope we can count on your support again this year. Annual gifts made to the Friendship Fund help our Foundation fulfill Pi Phi’s mission. These unrestricted gifts allow us to respond to Pi Phi’s most urgent needs — maintaining essential support for leadership, literacy, scholarship and emergency assistance programs that empower our sisters — and the needs driven by the rapidly changing world.
Planned gifts provide unique strength to the Fraternity and Foundation by guaranteeing future support and forecasting for our mission-critical initiatives. At a time when there are no guarantees of “business as usual,” knowing there are members and friends who are forwardthinking enough in their generosity to include Pi Beta Phi Foundation in their estate plans is the ultimate catalyst for organizational resiliency.
