Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation

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Giving

What Does the KAOEF Do and How Does It Affect My Chapter?

The Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation (KAOEF) was founded in 1981 to support the educational and leadership programs of the Order as well as to provide scholarships to our members on an annual basis. The KAOEF has grown and has gone on to raise and provide the necessary funding to produce educational programs, such as, the Number I’s Leadership Institute, The Crusade program and RoundTable, enhanced Province Councils and leadership opportunities like the E. Fleming Mason Memorial Internship program in Washington, DC; all of which are currently being provided to our undergraduate men today. Additionally, the KAOEF Scholarship Program has grown and has increased its support to offer approximately $100,000 in financial assistance to members of the Order every year.

View the Annual Giving Report PDF Here

How Are the Funds Raised to Do All of This?

The KAOEF staff consists of five individuals; an Executive Director, three Directors of Development and a Foundation Assistant who oversee all daily operations of the organization and handle all the full-time fundraising and development with our alumni nationally. This group organizes and maintains the scholarship program, internship program, KAOEF endowment accounts, the Annual Fund, planned giving efforts, and alumni relations. The KAOEF also coordinates 350 personal development visits each year to discuss KA and the KAOEF, and to discuss how alumni can assist the National organization in bettering the undergraduate experience. In addition, the KAOEF Board of Trustees assists with fundraising for educational programming and reviewing scholarship and internship applications.

What Does the KAOEF Do for My Chapter?

Annually, the Board of Trustees grant funds back to the Order for annual support; undergraduate dues alone do not cover the costs associated with every training opportunity that is provided by the National Administrative Office. In fiscal years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, the KAOEF granted $142,000 both years to the Order; this amount being increased from $88,000 in grant support in 2004-2005, while in 2007-2008, the KAOEF granted $150,000. These funds provide the majority of support for the Number I’s Leadership Institute, The Crusade program and RoundTable, and enhanced Province Councils. As a reminder, each quality-training program is offered to undergraduates at little or no cost! These funds directly affect every chapter in the Order!

One of the most well known programs to members of KA is the KAOEF Scholarship Program. The KAOEF awards over $100,000 annually in scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate members. For the 2007-2008 academic year, $105,000 was awarded to 71 members with the average scholarship being $1,479. Nevertheless, 250 members applied for the $100,000 available in 2006-2007, which was an all-time record. Scholarship applications for the 2008-2009 academic year will be available on the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation website (www.kaoef.org) September 1, 2007. Every member of KA, and ultimately your chapter, attending a college or university has the opportunity to receive support from the KAOEF every year!

Any undergraduate looking for a Washington, DC interning experience? Each summer, the KAOEF sponsors five undergraduates to intern and live in the Washington, DC area for two months. Each intern has his flight, housing, and internship provided; all he has to do is apply to the E. Fleming Mason Memorial Internship Program. This program is made available because of generous donations from KAOEF donors. Every undergraduate has the opportunity to apply and possibly receive this wonderful leadership experience!

2007 will mark the 10th annual Bid for Brotherhood, which is the KAOEF’s live and silent auction held each August in conjunction with KA’s national meeting. All funds raised go into the Bid for Brotherhood Endowment Account, which provides additional support for educational programming for all undergraduate members. To date, Bid for Brotherhood has raised $307,368 for educational and leadership programs in KA that directly benefit your chapter every year!

How Can I Support the Educational Endeavors of KA that Ultimately Support My Chapter?

The best way alumni, parents, undergraduates and friends of KA can support the Order is by making a gift to the KAOEF Annual Fund. You can make a gift to the Annual Fund by replying to one of the direct mail pieces or by making a gift online. You can visit the KAOEF website (www.kaoef.org) and click on the “DONATE NOW” icon. Remember, these funds are used to provide support for programs that affect members of your chapter.

Another way to provide long-term support is to consider an endowment gift or a planned gift to the KAOEF. These gifts will leave a lasting legacy on KA and ultimately, your chapter. For more information on planned giving or information about an endowment gift, please contact the KAOEF.

Many alumni like to participate in Bid for Brotherhood, which is the KAOEF’s live and silent auction. All money raised from this event goes back to fund educational programming. All interested alumni can participate by donating an item for auction or by bidding on items at the event.

If you have any questions about the Foundation or if you would like more information, please contact Ethan Bush, Rusty Foster, Erik Showalter, or Larry S. Wiese.