Your Impact - February 2020

Issue 4, Spring 2020

Local Partnerships Lead to Pediatric Therapeutic Play Resources You helped us reach a record-breaking season for local Robbie Page Memorial (RPM) grants.

For fiscal year 2019-2020, Tri Sigma provided $129,992 in therapeutic play support across the country.

Last spring, we welcomed new criteria for local RPM grants. The Board of Directors determined that there was no reason for this philanthropic opportunity to be exclusive to chapters. With the hope of growing engagement and ensuring more children and communities are served, individual alumnae members became eligible for grant endorsements. RPM grants were awarded to three organizations thanks to the partnership from individual alumnae – Lauren Pontiff, Gamma Pi; Jenny Watson, Beta Gamma; and

Janell Weaver, Epsilon Eta. Since 1954, RPM has remained a vital part of our mission. Each year the Foundation awards local RPM grants ranging from $500 to $5000 - providing financial support for therapeutic play resources serving children.

Sigma sisters partner with health organizations to impact children and families directly in their communities.

Thank you to all the sisters and chapters who submitted an application last year and to the sisters who continue to support our Sigma Serves Children initiatives. The 2020-2021 RPM grant application deadline is April 30, 2020. For more information, visit trisigma.org/ apply-for-grant.

Left: West Michigan Alumnae Chapter and Epsilon Gamma at Metro Health Hospital. Right: Phoenix Alumnae Chapter with Maricopa Health Foundation.

Giving Comes From the Heart Dear Sisters,

During February, our world is filled with love and compassion. We celebrate Valentine’s Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day - shifting our focus to others instead of ourselves.

In the spirit of all things roses and candy hearts, it had me thinking about who we love or how we express that love. Is this how you feel about the act of giving? My role reminds me every day that it’s not about how you give or the dollar amount, but about your heart. When I give, it’s me sharing my love for a cause. I give to the Foundation because, in my heart, I genuinely love Tri Sigma.

This month, will you join me in writing down three reasons you love Tri Sigma? Is it the sisterhood and forever friendships you have gained? Maybe it’s experiences, life lessons, philanthropy, or a mentor brought into your life by Tri Sigma. As you reflect on your list, remember that you are one of thousands of women who share similar reasons for loving our sisterhood.

I often hear how sisters like you love when our membership grows, women are empowered through leadership, Sigmas excel academically, and sisters are inspired to serve others. When you give from the heart, you begin to invest in the mission by giving your time, talents, and treasures.

As the Foundation prepares for our first Giving Day, I invite you to honor our founders and your Sigma story.

Remember the moments where you have genuinely made a difference.

For me, I often think about the positive impact you have on the Foundation. It’s why you remind me that the love of sisterhood lights our way.

Sigma Love,

Megan Caldwell Director of Donor Engagement

Steadfast Sisters State to State S

isters have been showing their love state to state through the Steadfast Giving Club. As of this January, 170 members are committed to financially supporting Tri Sigma each month.

Thank you to this dedicated group of women for giving monthly recurring gifts - investing in the future of our sisterhood. With their support, they donated a total of $72,125 in 2019 alone.

Our Steadfast members receive personal notes directly from program participants throughout the year and recognition on the website and within publications. Beginning this fall, they will receive a printed copy in the mail of

each issue of Your Impact, the Foundation’s biannual newsletter.

By giving monthly, sisters like you support all areas of our mission and make an impact on women, children, and families all year round.

From ensuring Sigmas receive scholarships to empowering opportunities for leadership development to sustaining our philanthropic initiatives, you give fuel for our work to continue each and every month.

Sigma sisters from 34 states are represented in the Steadfast Giving Club. Here are eight states leading the way with their total participation of monthly donors:

“I loved receiving a phone call from a collegiate member attending Presidents Academy thanking me for my contributions to the Foundation. Hearing her enthusiasm and passion for our sisterhood is why I choose to be a Steadfast Giving Club member.

I want Tri Sigma to continue providing programming that gives them the tools and resources to be successful leaders.”

Lori Richard, Beta Delta & Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter

Triennial Excellence in Chapter Philanthropy At the 2019 National Convention, the Foundation recognized Alpha Mu at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for their exceptional leadership in chapter philanthropy.

Our Foundation staff member that works directly with collegiate chapter fundraising, Desiree Paulhamus, attended the chapter’s 7th Annual Chili Cook Off this past November. The chapter raised an impressive $31,143 from their event, including sponsorships, team entries, support from family and friends, and event ticket sales.

Thank you to our Alpha Mu sisters, local alumnae, and community supporters who make our mission possible! And thank you to Claire Burns and Marlee Davis for serving as 2019 Co-Foundation Chairs and leading the way for Alpha Mu’s philanthropy efforts.

Join the Foundation for our first Giving Day to celebrate the future of Tri Sigma.

Raising Awareness for Prematurity “My beautiful baby Lauren was born at exactly 26 weeks gestation weighing in at 1 lb. 12 oz. and 13.5 in. long. It was controlled chaos.

I had no idea what was happening.

Why had she arrived so early? So many unanswered questions. After countless tests, trials, and obstacles, Lauren finally came home after 97 days in the NICU on a heart monitor.

Having experienced prematurity and infant loss, March of Dimes has impacted my life in more ways than one. I am thankful for what the research March of Dimes does to give all babies the best possible start. And I am thankful to have been able to carry Lauren’s brother to term, giving him the best possible start.”

2019-2020 MOD Committee Shelly Bateman, Coordinator Beta Epsilon Amber Brenton Pi & Kansas City Alumnae Chapter Clare Ford Eta Chi & Greater St. Louis Alumnae Chapter Megan Horton Eta Beta Amanda Marchegiani Beta Xi Annamarie Mellett Alpha Pi & Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter Lori Richard Beta Delta & Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter Brenna Smith Beta Epsilon Catherine Till Eta Omicron

Clare Ford, Eta Chi & Greater St. Louis Alumnae Chapter

Do you have a March of Dimes or prematurity story you would like to share? Email foundation@trisigma.org.

Empowering Achievement

T

he Collegiate Ambassador Program provides undergraduates an opportunity to serve our philanthropy and advocate for our mission.

“I am a senior at Marist College, double majoring in political science and economics. I am interested in working at organizations that focus on development, education, assistance for impoverished populations, empowerment of women, and sustainability investments.

My goal is to make a difference and be the change I want to see in the world - helping anyone, anywhere, and anyhow. You have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning, and giving. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.”

Adele Nader, Epsilon Omicron 2019-2020 Scholarship Recipient

Throughout the academic year, the ambassadors educate their collegiate chapters and peers about the Foundation mission.

They share opportunities to engage through philanthropy and service. Additionally, they fundraise each semester to support essential leadership and educational programs.

Online applications for 2020-2021 Collegiate Ambassadors open March 15, with an April 30 deadline.

If you know a collegiate sister with a passion for our philanthropy, you can nominate her until April 1 at trisigma.org/ambassadors. Your nominee will receive a special invitation to submit an application for this leadership and educational opportunity.

YourIMPACT “Thank You! To know that you support empowering women to change the world shows me, as a Tri Sigma and senior at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the impact of our sisterhood.

I would not be the woman I am today without all of my Tri Sigma leadership experiences.

The lasting impact of learning and practicing what it is to be a leader will always be with me. Thanks to you, I will take everything I have learned and carry it with me for the rest of my life.”

Destiny Alderin, Epsilon Nu 2017-2018 & 2018-2019 Collegiate Ambassador

C

Combined Federal Campaign

alling all Tri Sigma federal employees! All civilian federal employees, active duty military, Postal Service, federal retirees, and federal contractors are invited to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).

Empowering Tri Sigma Leaders

The CFC puts the federal community to work through generosity by providing essential funding to causes in your local community and around the world. The Tri Sigma Foundation can be your charity of choice for your annual pledge or one-time gift.

If you want to learn more, visit cfcnca.org.

Foundation Board Secretary JeanMarie Komyathy, Gamma Kappa, was featured during the most recent campaign:

Registration check-in at 2020 Presidents Academy and Recruitment Summit in St. Louis.

“My cause is empowering women. As a lifetime member of my sorority, I learned about the power of women working individually and together.

I’ve been given opportunities for training and development that helped shape my professional career, as well as my entire life. Throughout these opportunities, I have learned it is critical to give back so others can have the opportunity as well. I am passionate about philanthropy and volunteering because that can help me give back to empower those who come after me.”

Saturday night featured activities and decorations representing an open recruitment event.

Participants from both programs came together for sisterhood night.

Thank you to the Denver Area Alumnae and Greater St. Louis Alumnae chapters for providing a matching gift opportunity of $1,000 for attendees at Presidents Academy and Recruitment Summit in January.

For more engagement opportunities for your alumnae chapter, contact Megan Caldwell at mcaldwell@trisigma.org.

Sisters wore their Violet Tributes, marking donations from their sisters, on their nametags with pride.

Philanthropic Employers Supporting Your Cause of Choice Does your employer offer a nonprofit matching gift program?

Or does your company provide you the opportunity to support charitable causes directly from your paycheck?

Companies across the country participate in corporate giving programs to support 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations like the Tri Sigma Foundation.

Check with your company today to learn about your workplace giving opportunities, and see if you could be doubling your donation to make an even greater impact.

For support related to workplace giving, contact Megan Caldwell at mcaldwell@trisigma.org.

Do you see your company logo below?

“Over the course of the past 4 years, 3M has matched $1,500 of my donations to the Foundation.

In 2020, I was thrilled to learn 3M increased matches up to $1,000.

The same day the match became available, I enrolled. My monthly payroll deduction makes it easy to budget. I was able to join the Steadfast Giving Club and begin doubling my impact.

Enrolling online was fast and simple. I highly encourage everyone to ask about matches from your employer today.

I give because the Tri Sigma Foundation aligns with my vision of empowering women and serving children.�

Camille Chasteen, Zeta Rho & Twin Cities Alumnae Chapter 2019-2022 Board Member