Delivering Me to the Doorstep of Opportunity
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hanks to donors like you the Tri Sigma Foundation provides annual graduate and undergraduate scholarships to deserving alumnae and collegians. The rising cost of education adds difficulty and stress to those trying to further their education. Our scholarship program helps to ease that financial burden. For the 2017-2018 school year the Tri Sigma Foundation awarded scholarships to 24 women. One of the recipients, Selma Ducanovic, shares what this meant for her: “The scholarships that are provided by the generous donors take a weight off the shoulders of so many sisters who are working their hardest to stay in school but are doubtful because of financial constraints. Personally, getting a scholarship was an assurance that Sigma Sigma Sigma believed in me and had my back. It was a tremendous help to me and my family and I’m very honored to have received it. Being someone who immigrated
to the United States with my parents when I was two years old, I watched them struggle through many difficult situations and sacrifice so much to deliver me and my siblings to the doorstep of opportunity. They’ve gotten me here, now the baton has been passed to me, and it’s my turn to take every opportunity presented to me in order to help my family. I am a strong believer in women coming together to lift each other up and help each other be the best they can be. I feel like this scholarship and Tri Sigma has truly done that for me. Since I’ve joined Tri Sigma, I’ve seen my grades improve, my shyness deteriorate and my character morph into something much better than it was. Tri Sigma will always be a part of me. To the people that make these scholarships possible, I want to say thank you. In the future I hope to take the values of wisdom, power, faith, hope, and love and carry them with me through everything I do - whether that be furthering my studies or in the charity that I’m hoping to form one day in Bosnia.”
Selma Ducanovic, Alpha Delta at Drexel University Emily Lewis Lee Scholarship ‘17-’18 Recipient For a full list of the 2018-2019 scholarship recipients, visit trisigmafoundation.org. Do you know a Sigma sister who should apply for a foundation scholarship? Deadline for 2019-2020 Foundation scholarship applications will be February 28, 2019.
How can I support you? Dear Sisters,
New: Bubbles
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ri Sigma partnered with March of Dimes in 2016 with the goal to expand our service of children and families in need. Bubble Zone at the March for Babies walk is a new initiative for our partnership.
I am overwhelmed with joy every day by seeing how Sigma alumnae are so dedicated and eager to support our organization and fellow sisters. We have a wonderful group of women who want to see other women succeed. I can’t imagine a more rewarding and fulfilling organization to serve. Some of you may recognize me while to others I am a new face. Allow me to introduce myself and how I can support you. I began working with the Foundation in November 2017 as Director of Donor Engagement. My primary role is assisting donors and helping each one of you make a difference in the life of someone else. There are many ways for you to make an impact through philanthropy or service. However, our area of greatest need remains leadership development. Our collegiate sisters rely on the support, encouragement and wisdom from our alumnae members to help them be leaders and strong Tri Sigma women. Programs like President’s Academy and Dunham Women of Character Institute rely on your continued generosity. If you are looking for ways to make a difference or get more involved please reach out to me so we can discuss the best opportunities for you. Whether you are wanting to volunteer, increase your giving, or host a fundraiser for your alumnae chapter, I am here to help you make a lasting impact.
Sigma sisters can engage in a fun way with children and families while shedding light on how March of Dimes research has impacted premature babies everywhere. Bubble Zone provides an opportunity for alumnae and collegians to raise awareness and allow others to see the positive impact Tri Sigmas have in their communities. Several alumnae and collegiate chapters participated in Bubble Zone this past spring and had a great experience engaging with their community while bonding with sisters. For more information on how you or your alumnae chapter can host a Bubble Zone contact foundation@trisigma.org or visit trisigmafoundation.org.
And remember, National Convention is coming up in June 2019 in Las Vegas. Begin planning your giving for 2018-2019 so you can achieve the annual giving club for which you want to be recognized at Convention. The Foundation will recognize our donors with ribbons and there will be exclusive invite-only events for our sisters who join Pillars of Sigma. Pillars of Sigma Society
Megan Caldwell Director of Donor Engagement
Members can join Pillars of Sigma by contributing $1000 or more in unrestricted gifts each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). New members receive this charm bracelet as a thank you for their generosity.
Charleston Alumnae Chapter hosted a Bubble Zone at their local March for Babies walk. Liz Mataya, Jennifer Avenel and Lindsay Szoke enjoyed blowing bubbles with the children.
Reach Your Philanthropic Goals
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he Steadfast Giving Club is a dedicated group of Sigmas who give monthly to the Foundation to support our area of greatest need. This special group of supporters are making a difference and maximizing their impact through simple, secure and ongoing charitable gifts. As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we announced the Steadfast Giving Club. Since it’s launch, 90 Sigmas have joined. We are grateful for these inaugural members and want to see this giving club continue to grow in 2018-2019. Do you have a goal for your annual giving? Monthly gifts allow you to reach your philanthropic goals in a realistic and attainable way. You can break down your giving into manageable amounts that fit within your budget. By joining the Steadfast Giving Club, you save time spent writing checks or giving online. Your regular contributions will stretch across all Foundation programs and impact even more sisters year round. Most importantly, Steadfast members will receive periodic thank you letters from benefiting Sigma sisters, giving you the opportunity to hear directly from those you impact.
Why I give?
You can join the Steadfast Giving Club online at trisigma.org/donate or by calling the Foundation at 540-459-4212. To see the full list of Steadfast Giving Club members, visit trisigmafoundation.org.
“The Foundation has always been close to my heart and I am proud of all that it does, from the days it began as the Educational Fund and the Robbie Page Memorial to now involving March of Dimes and so many other programs. I was inspired by Miss Ann Williams, who began donating monthly decades ago, to make monthly donations and I am now able to do so. I am proud to be a Tri Sigma and support the Foundation through the Steadfast Giving Club.”
Karrie Benjamin, Gamma Alpha
Our Greatest Need: Leadership Development
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ach year the Foundation partners with the Sorority to invest in educational and leadership programming. Our grant to the sorority supports programs that provide life skills, leadership development and values-based education. The Foundation is able to invest in Tri Sigma programs because of the unrestricted gifts from sisters like you each year. However, we are meeting less than 10% of the need for leadership funding. Our supporters have the opportunity to help us increase our impact. We know these programs result in strong women ready to lead, which contributes to their success and the future success of our sisterhood.
President’s Academy hosted 128 participants, including chapter presidents, coaches, and staff in Nashville, Tennessee on January 4-7, 2018.
Education Summit hosted 194 participants, including education directors and scholarship advisors in Chicago, Illinois on March 2-4, 2018.
96% of participants agreed they can create a plan for presidency and successful personal leadership
95% of participants agreed they can identify at least three new ideas for supporting scholarship within their chapter
100% of participants agreed they can identify their top five strengths
97% of participants agreed they can define compassion
96% of participants agreed they can identify ways to increase personal confidence and credibility while presenting
98% of participants agreed they can dress appropriately for various occassions