A Tradition to Secure the Future
The year 1912 is important in the history of Kappa Sigma Fraternity as that is the year in which future Worthy Grand Master Wilbur F. Denious struck upon the idea to establish a charitable endowment for Kappa Sigma. Ultimately, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund was established in 1919 "to support the charitable and beneficent purposes of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity".
The American philanthropic tradition was just beginning to unfold, led by the examples of Ford, Rockefeller, Mellon, Carnegie and others. The founding Trustees looked toward the future by establishing a firm commitment to build the corpus.
The tradition of Endowment Fund Trustee stewardship — of the sacred trust, so to speak — has carried on to this day. In 2006, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund has over $6.0 million in total assets. The Endowment Fund Trustees between them have more that two centuries of service to the Order.
The Initial Push
To establish the Fund, 100 Kappa Sigma alumni made substantial leadership gifts of $101 each. For the next forty years, the primary source of the Fund's growth was a small amount of each undergraduate initiation fee and an occasional significant gift, often through bequest. In addition, alumni would frequently make contributions in memory of a beloved member. In the 1960s and 1970s, direct mail appeals began to seek regular alumni support.
Early Development Efforts
For the next forty years, the primary source of the Fund's growth was a small amount of each undergraduate initiation fee. An occasional four-to-five figure gift came in, often through bequest. In addition, alumni would occasionally make contributions in memory of a beloved member. Beginning in the 1960s, intermittent direct mail appeals sought support for the Fund.
The Modern Era of Resource Development
In 1985, a more personalized and targeted direct mail program was launched, followed by a series of telephone fund-raising campaigns from 1989 - 1994. A recognition program for those who made a gift of $1,000 or more over a three-year period caught on; more than 2,000 alumni (and even several undergraduates!) have since become One of Jackson's Men.
The Heritage Society recognition program was established and has now identified nearly 100 planned gift donors. The McCormick Circle was established to recognize lifetime giving at escalating levels.
Impact
Over the years, the Fund's main funding priority has been the Scholarship-Leadership Awards Program, which makes cash awards to outstanding undergraduate student-leaders through their universities. Since 1948, the Endowment Fund has awarded more than $4.5 million to deserving Kappa Sigma brothers.
In recent years, the SLA Program has awarded $250,000 to nearly 300 outstanding young brothers. This program has proven to be Kappa Sigma Fraternity's most prominent and beneficial service to our brothers.
The Endowment Fund has also provided educational and leadership grants to the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, on an increasing basis over the years, funding the Leadership Conference Program and other priority educational initiatives, including My Brother’s Keeper, Kappa Sigma University and Brothers In Action.
Beginning with the 2003-2004 Academic year, the Endowment Fund is making an annual grant to the Fraternity to support the educational programs of the fraternity.
In addition, the Endowment Fund managed a chapter house loan program until 2003. A student loan program operated from 1940-1980. A graduate student scholarship program (approx. $15,000 annually) existed from 1970-1990.
Operational Evolution
The Endowment Fund was historically based in Denver and staffed by two part-time alumni. In 1985, the operations were centralized at the Fraternity's headquarters