Desert Alumnae Association

Philanthropy 1-2-3
As individuals with time, talents and treasure, Kappas first support our sisters; second, we participate in local service projects; and third, we serve the greater good.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), our official philanthropic partner, has been supported by the donation of thousands of books and volunteer hours to Boys and Girls Clubs, elementary schools and hospitals. It is a national initiative with volunteers in every state and U.S. territory and provides literacy programs for 4.5 million children.

RIF began in 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and has often been paired with Scholastic Books in California to provide books to encourage reading. Kappa Kappa Gamma adopted the program for its national community outreach in 2004.

Last year, Desert Alumnae Association members donated more than 68 hours of volunteer service by reading to and tutoring students attending Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in La Quinta. Additionally, we individually donated new books and funds for books. In May 2008, the association received a certificate of appreciation from the school. Kappas, friends and husbands tutored weekly for a total of 20 hours per week last year.

In 2009, we hope to have even more participation by providing books, funds for books and increasing our number of volunteers to read with the children at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. We also hope to have some one-on-one time with the students.

Our association also supports the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation with financial gifts and Rose McGill magazine subscription sales. These help to fund scholarships, confidential aid, education, training and support of our two museums.

Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation

Preserve…Endow…Inspire…Invest in every Kappa

The mission of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation is to deliver educational and leadership training, preserve the Fraternity’s heritage from an historical perspective, provide scholarships and offer financial assistance to members in need by developing the financial resources to support these programs.

The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation supports all members of Kappa Kappa Gamma through four program areas:

Academic Scholarships Inspire Our Sisters

The Foundation awards annual scholarships to qualified Kappas to help cover the rising costs of higher education.

Rose McGill Fund – Supporting Those in Need

Rose McGill Fund programs provide confidential aid to deserving Kappas of all ages who unexpectedly find themselves in financial need due to misfortune or illness. Funds for the fund come from contributions and the Rose McGill Magazine Agency. Call 1-800-KKG-ROSE to order magazines and support your sisters in need.

Educational and Leadership Development Programming

The Foundation supports the development and use of educational and leadership development programs that benefit Kappas. Funding for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Leadership Academy for emerging chapter and association leaders is provided by a grant from the Foundation.

Museums – Preserving Our Past

The Heritage Museum in Columbus, Ohio, and The Stewart House in Monmouth, Illinois, depict daily life and culture in the Victorian era with emphasis on the lives and roles of women during the time period when Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded.

Giving Opportunities

The Foundation’s philanthropic programs are made possible by generous gifts of our members, family and friends in a variety of ways:

* Gifts to the Loyalty Fund Annual Campaign

* Gifts in honor or memory of Kappas, family members and friends

* Bequests or planned gifts

* Matching gifts

* Gifts from alumnae associations and chapters

Gifts can be made to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation; P.O. Box 38; Columbus, OH 43216-0038, or online on the Kappa Web site, www.kkg.org. For more information, contact the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation at 1-866-KKG-1870.