Without the support of so many brothers and friends each year, SigEp’s Annual Fund would not be able to meet the Fraternity’s greatest needs and serve today’s undergraduate brothers. Through the success of initiatives like this year’s Founders Day of Giving, historic numbers of donors supported the Annual Fund in 2017. 

Over 4,100 brothers and friends gave more than $1.1 million to the Annual Fund to support the Fraternity’s undergraduate brothers.

At the beginning of 2018, SigEp has much to be grateful for. Our alumni, parents, students and friends continue to believe in the Fraternity, and that was apparent this Nov. 1 on our second-ever Founders Day of Giving. Over 1,400 brothers and friends gave more than $139,000 to SigEp, far surpassing last year’s results in both participation and dollars raised. Punctuated by Facebook Live segments from Richmond, Founders Day was a nationwide celebration of brotherhood. We honored our Fraternity’s past, and together we ensured that more young brothers will benefit from SigEp in 2018.

The Annual Fund currently supports the quality and implementation of character-building national programs like the Carlson Leadership Academy, Life After College and the Ruck Leadership Institute. In 2017, of the $1.1 million granted by the Foundation to fund leadership programs, roughly 75 percent came from the Annual Fund.

The upcoming Carlson Leadership Academy is one program that depends on the support of the Annual Fund. For newly elected chapter officers, Carlson Leadership Academy provides the answer to the question, “I’ve just been elected … what happens next?” At five locations across the country, knowledgeable volunteers facilitate this two-day academy, teaching chapter leaders how to solve problems as a team, set and execute goals, and develop the confidence they need to serve in their elected positions. And it’s not just undergraduates who benefit from Carlson — alumni and friends return year after year to reconnect with chapter brothers and SigEp friends.

SigEp needs leaders and heroes now more than ever … and change must come through confident, positive leadership from our chapter officers. Without the Carlson Leadership Academy, these young men would not have the opportunity to learn the skills they need to implement that positive change for their chapters. And, without the support of the Annual Fund, programs like Carlson simply would not exist.

Thank you for supporting SigEp in 2017. We look forward to what we can do together in 2018.