Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Kappa Delta Foundation?

  The Kappa Delta Foundation provides financial support to Kappa Delta Sorority. Your gifts to the foundation are tax-deductible as allowed by law for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The foundation has a dedicated staff, led by alumnae volunteers who make up the Kappa Delta Foundation board. The foundation office is located in the Kappa Delta National Headquarters building in Memphis, Tennessee.

• How did the Kappa Delta Foundation come to be?

  In 1975 National President Jean Tucker Jackson Stradley and the National Council wished to establish a foundation that would allow for tax-deductible donations to support the sorority. However, the biggest obstacle was the need for seed money. A gift large enough was difficult to come by, so the idea was put on hold. In 1978 a bequest from Dorothea Cavin, Alpha Psi-Drury, provided the seed money necessary. The Kappa Delta Foundation was officially established at the 1981 Convention because of Dorothea Cavin’s generous gift.

• Are the Kappa Delta Foundation and Kappa Delta Sorority the same thing?

  We are one Kappa Delta, but legally the foundation and sorority are two separate organizations. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation, while Kappa Delta Sorority is a 501(c)(7) corporation. Each entity offers unique opportunities for Kappa Delta members to take action in the world.

• Isn’t giving to the foundation the same as giving to KD’s philanthropies?

  The foundation is, in fact, a philanthropy of its own! Sisters can choose to donate to the foundation just like any other nonprofit organization.

• Why does Kappa Delta need money?

  The Kappa Delta experience looks different than it did even a few decades ago. The changing landscape of our college campuses means that the needs of our members are changing too. Kappa Delta realizes the need to prepare for a time of membership contraction. In light of declining college enrollment, continued rising tuition costs, and a generation seeking a different kind of college experience, KD cannot rely solely on member dues and investment revenue to fund unique opportunities for personal development and lifetime learning. Donations to the foundation allow Kappa Delta to continue to meet the needs of our members, whether through scholarships, leadership training, or other support.

• Can I create income with my gift?

  Yes! The Kappa Delta Foundation has many plans for Gifts That Pay You Income. You can also provide income for a child, a grandchild, a parent, or a friend. That income can increase cash flow now and/or during retirement, pay for a college education, provide income for aging parents, or perhaps assist a loved one with special needs. You can also provide income to the foundation by using a Charitable Lead Trust.

• I am unable to make a current gift, but I'd still like to support the Kappa Delta Foundation in the future. Any ideas?

  An easy and low-cost way to make a gift to the foundation is to include the foundation in your will or revocable trust. Each individual legacy contributes to our financial strength and ability to meet the needs of our members, alumnae, and collegians. If you have not already done so, please consider putting the foundation in your will or revocable trust. See our Bequest Language page for assistance. You can also designate the foundation as the beneficiary of Life Insurance or Retirement-Plan Benefits.

• What asset should I use to make my gift?

  While cash or a check is a simple way to make a gift, you might want to consider the following:

  Gift Type	Possible Benefits
  Cash	Current income-tax deduction
  Appreciated securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds	Elimination or reduction of capital-gain tax Current income-tax deduction Generate income
  Donate an interest in closely held or family business stock	Reduce the cost of passing the business to heirs Income- and estate-tax savings Generate income
  Make the foundation the owner and beneficiary of life insurance	Income- and estate-tax savings

• How will the foundation recognize my gift?

  Kappa Delta Foundation donors are recognized with prestigious giving societies, based on cumulative giving.

  Donors whose cumulative lifetime giving is $25,000 or more and/or Cavin Society members’ names are included on the donor wall located at Kappa Delta National Headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, on our website, and in various Kappa Delta communications such as The Angelos, Kappa Delta’s national magazine. If your gift is a bequest commitment or through life insurance, life-income plans, or lead trusts, you will become a member of the Dorothea Cavin Society. Of course, we will also honor any requests for gifts to be anonymous.

• Why should I consider a gift to the foundation?

  Gifts are made for many different reasons. Often gifts are made:

  • To express gratitude for your KD experience.
  • To honor a loved one.
  • To ensure Kappa Delta will remain vibrant and strong in the future.

Please contact the Kappa Delta Foundation for more information.