Educational Foundation

Ways to Give

Online Giving with your debit or credit card online at sigmapi.org/donate is a quick and secure way to make a contribution, which accepts Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Discover.

Mobile On your mobile device, you can quickly and easily visit sigmapiedfund.org/gift

photo courtesy of @SigmaPi_EKU on Twitter

Become a Monthly Donor

If you are like most individuals, you receive many solicitations in the mail asking for money, and most go in the trash. However, with some organizations, you have a passion for their cause and choose to make a gift. For those organizations in which you strongly believe in, you might consider being a monthly supporter to take away the hassle of mail and phone solicitations. When making a monthly gift to Sigma Pi, it does not have to be a large amount of money. Small amounts add-up and help the Fraternity. If you were to become a monthly donor in the amount of $18.97, that equals an annual donation of $227.64. With this simple gift, your generosity will help expand initiatives that are bettering the lives of more than 5,000 undergraduate Sigma Pi brothers. If you would like to become a monthly supporter of the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation, visit sigmapi.org/donate and fill out the simple form. From there, you will be able to process your monthly gift through a recurring automatic deduction. All gifts—large or small—are graciously accepted by the Educational Foundation, and they are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Through your generous monthly donations, you will enhance the future for undergraduate education through leadership development, chapter educational funds, and scholarships. Mail You can mail a check or credit card gift to the SPEF at the address below: Sigma Pi Educational Foundation 1101 Kermit Drive, Suite 730 Nashville, TN 37217

Phone To make a donation over the phone, or for more assistance, please give us a call at 615-921-2300.

Corporate Matching Numerous companies match an employee’s personal donation to a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Ask your employer for details.

The Service of Giving is Central to Sigma Pi

Every year, Sigma Pi members exemplify character and service by helping other people in need by taking action through charitable giving. by Jack Heimbigner, contributing writer

There are many outstanding causes in the world looking for funding. Organizations range from helping the poor to improving the environment. And yet, there are nonprofits like Sigma Pi who are looking to impact the culture of the world, too. In the Fraternity’s case, the desired impact is on the young men who choose a lifetime commitment to the organization, and helping to ensure their growth and prosperity through education and leadership programming.

Why choose Sigma Pi for charitable giving? Each nonprofit organization adds value to the world, and with so many of them out there it can be hard to decide where to give or what is most important.

While there is no simple answer, the most rewarding circumstances for charitable giving comes when passion aligns with a deep-rooted need in the world or in a local community. When an organization emotionally connects, its cause will directly impact the lives of the donor. This lends to a solid commitment to the goals of that organization, and can lead to an even deeper connection. When passionately giving to the Fraternity, you not only reconnect to an organization that is important to you, but you also reaffirm your dedication to the ideals and values that made you choose Sigma Pi in the first place. But it's clear, not everyone is passionate about the same things. There are some who take great pride in their university, while others who have had life-changing experiences with fraternity life. And still others who simply desire to see the world a better place. It is important to focus on causes that connect emotionally, have a direct impact on our lives, and which we believe in their mission. Whether it is your time or your finances, you can find things right in front of you. Sigma Pi is always looking for volunteers and financial partners to help further the work in changing the lives of our members. It's not just the one's receiving the gift. You’re impacted by your gift, too. Once you connect with an organization and begin giving, your life starts to change, too. Especially, if you have chosen something that really matters to you. As work begins to take place, it will open your eyes and encourage the growth of character in your life.

While giving can sometimes feel very disconnected, it can also become one of the most rewarding parts of your life. When you believe in the goals and begin to give to Sigma Pi, you will want to champion the Fraternity and its goals, ensuring that the end-result is sufficiently achieved. Now is a great time to start impacting the Fraternity with your gifts. Your charitable giving means something for you and for those who receive thanks to your generosity. Whether it’s a chapter leader getting the chance to attend a international leadership conference, or a graduate student receiving a scholarship to continue his educational pursuits, your gift can truly make an impact. When choosing a charitable organization to give to, remember the core values that drew you to Sigma Pi during the recruitment phase of your collegiate experience: fellowship, character, leadership, academics, and service. How will you step into the gap this year with your charitable giving?

Sigma Pi and OmegaFi Strengthen Partnership

On October 2, 2019, Sigma Pi announced a valuable enhanced partnership with OmegaFi. Sigma Pi has renewed OmegaFi’s Compass database for member, chapter, and fundraising management. In addition, Sigma Pi designates OmegaFi as its Exclusive Partner for chapter financial management. With new efficiencies in the areas of member management, fundraising, and finances, the partnership allows Sigma Pi staff members, volunteers, alumni, and students to focus on the growth and prosperity of the organization. OmegaFi offers a great depth of knowledge and history of innovative solutions for fraternity management. Unparalleled customer service and dedication to information and financial security make OmegaFi the continued industry leader after 27 years in business. “OmegaFi has been a proud partner with Sigma Pi for nearly a decade, and we are happy to expand the scope of financial and membership management support we provide through Vault and Compass,” says OmegaFi president Fred Maglione. He adds, “As Sigma Pi grows, so do OmegaFi’s solutions. We are pleased to announce that our newest app focused on member engagement, OmegaOne, will be utilized by Sigma Pi chapters across the nation. We look forward to providing Sigma Pi with the necessary solutions it needs to grow and assist in their Quest for Excellence.” OmegaFi’s Compass database supports operations at the Executive Office in Nashville, all chapters and all members will enjoy added benefits. An efficient chapter invoicing system improves the experience of our student leaders. Combined with OmegaFi’s Vault for chapter management, our local officers will be positioned to successfully fulfill their duties. Executive Director/CEO Jonathan Frost stated, “As we reviewed our financial management system, we identified a variety of needs, and OmegaFi presented a customized solution for all of them. Throughout our research we also realized a need for more than just technology. The hands-on approach OmegaFi takes to train and consult with our students, officers, advisors, and Executive Office staff was just as important. I am excited about the increased efficiency OmegaFi will bring to our operations and the additional support and benefits we will be able to provide our brothers.” The Fraternity’s continued use of the Compass database, powered by OmegaFi, will support the management needs of the Fraternity as well as the development needs of the Foundation.

All undergraduate members and alumni are eligible for a free Avis Preferred Club membership. In addition, Avis has agreed to extend contracted rates to our undergraduate and alumni members. Please reference AWD J861200 when reserving with Avis. Learn more about this new membership at sigmapi.org/fraternity/vendors-partners. FindGreek is the exclusive online store for official greek merchandise. Thousands of the most popular products, at the best prices, from official vendors. The store features thousands of apparel, gifts, and accessories with officially licensed Sigma Pi branding, giving you a central location to find all of your merchandise needs! Visit findgreek.com/sigmapi now! Findgreek Avis

Fall Graduation: What's Next?

The fall term is over and you’ve graduated. While all of your friends have one more semester before washing their hands of 8:00 am classes and 150 page readings, you get to chill… Or do you? Fall graduations can be equally exciting and stressful. On one hand, no more discussion forums for classes. On the other, you have to figure out what you’re going to do while all of your friends have an extra five months to get it together. Here’s a few ideas on what to do and how to prepare for life after fall graduation: what’s next?

How to Find the Job Use your Greek life experience and connections! Pop into the university’s Greek Life Advisor office and see if they know about any companies that are hiring. Reach out to alumni and advisors from your chapter as well. One of the perks of Greek membership is the connections you have readily available to you. Your Living Situation This is a long-term factor that can easily be overlooked when looking for your first job out of college. While it’s easy to say that you’re going to move back in with your parents for a few months to save money, or stay in your apartment lease for the remainder of the year, you’ll want to start looking deeper at the options you have available. What about Traveling? Traveling is one of the first things that we hear “I wish I would have done more” of. Save up your money and take a trip after graduation. Whether it’s with a friend or family member, or even a trip by yourself, don’t question whether you should go or not. Take the trip and make the experience. If it’s a crosscountry trip or backpacking through Europe, just go. More School It’s hard to imagine enduring another two to four years of school when the light at the end of the tunnel seems so close! Some fields require more schooling, or maybe you decided to get your Masters in a more specific area. Don’t forget to consider online classes, especially if you’ll also be working full-time. There are still scholarships and grants available to graduate students.

Insurance and Financial Well-Being Insurance and handling your own finances is probably the most stressful part of graduating. You’ll want to have the conversation with your parents at least six months before graduation. See what they are handing off to you, or see if they’ll give you a six month grace period, similar to student loan companies. A good rule of thumb is to try to keep at least three months of living expenses in savings. You never know what is going to happen and you don’t want to have nothing in savings, in case something unexpected comes up.

Don’t Forget about Greek Life! After fall graduation, don’t drop off of the map. Be sure to stick around, if geographically possible, and show up to philanthropy events in support of your chapter. If your chapter holds spring recruitment, see what you can do to help (even if it’s just bringing food by or helping set up decorations). Offer to help in any way that you can. Being the alumni that the active members can rely on is a fantastic feeling! Your school may let fall graduation students walk with the rest of their class in the spring, so you never want to be at your own graduation and feel like you missed out on everything.