2024-25
foundation annual report
Discover the impact of more than $4.7 million in generous donations in 2024–25. Nearly 1,900 donors changed the lives of thousands of Kappas this year.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Making a difference is at the heart of our sisterhood. Thanks to fundraising events, educational programs, and your support, Kappas are pursuing their potential as they support our international philanthropic initiative for mental health and well-being.
In 2024–25, you helped members learn, grow, and thrive:
971
members registered with Talkspace.
9,791
learners took one or more Minerva courses.
38,000+
Kappas were directly impacted by an education program.
650
Kappa chapter officers attended in-person leadership day training.
mental health and well-being
Pursuing Lives Fully Lived
Members from coast to coast embrace Kappa’s philanthropy by starting a conversation, hosting mental health and well-being events, and raising funds. Together, we are working to end the stigma and pursue lives fully lived. Discover how these six chapters are supporting our philanthropy partners and the Foundation, all while making a difference in their communities.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Kappa Foundation is here for sisters when life takes an unexpected turn, ensuring no member has to stand alone. Through Rose McGill financial assistance grants, members can apply for and receive confidential aid, emergency assistance, and more.
In 2024–25, you helped provide:
$262,600
to 88 alumna recipients
$37,400
to 14 collegiate recipients
in total
$300,000
to 102 recipients*
*A 17.9% increase from the support provided in 2020–21.
financial assistance
Sisters Helping Sisters in Times of Need
Since the 1920s, Kappas have been supporting sisters financially when they face unexpected hardships and tragedy. When Dede Kennedy, Oregon, and her family lost everything in a wildfire in January 2025, a Rose McGill financial assistance grant gave her the compassionate boost she needed to rise from the ashes. Read on to see how Kappa’s support strengthened a sister in her time of need and solidified her belief in giving back.
HERITAGE
Your gifts to preserve our rich heritage for generations to come — and not only for Kappas, but for the general public too — support The Stewart House Museum, the digital archives, and virtual and community programming.
In 2024–25, The Stewart House Museum …
• Welcomed visitors to Kappa’s birthplace, a place where history was made.
• Offered tours and events for Kappas and the general public to deepen their knowledge of the women’s rights movement.
• Hosted virtual events for alumnae from near and far to tune in to. Each month, Archivist/Museum Director Kylie Smith, Simpson, explored new topics of Kappa’s rich history.
heritage
Reflections on the past, present, and future of The Stewart House
As one of the only sororities to own a Founder’s home, Kappa celebrates the rich history of The Stewart House Museum. Through public tours, programs, and explorations into the significance of the home’s history — not only for Kappa but also for the women’s rights movement — The Stewart House Museum remains a physical connection to the ideals on which Kappa was founded. Read a reflection from Dr. Mary Osborne, Monmouth, Director of The Stewart House Museum.”
SCHOLARSHIPS
Thanks to generous donors, the Foundation ensures Kappas can achieve their academic goals with the support of merit- and need-based undergraduate scholarships, graduate scholarships, and alumnae continuing education grants.
In 2024-25, you helped provide:
$1,267,940
to 381 scholarships recipients
$16,479
was awarded to 17 continuing education grant recipients.
foundation scholarships
A Foundation of Support for a Future of Success
Foundation scholarships unlock potential and help Kappas thrive. Scholarship recipient Hadley Olsen, Colorado State, is pursuing her dream of becoming a CPA, and the support she received eases her financial burdens, empowering her to grow in her academic and professional endeavors. Kappa has given Hadley leadership experience, mentorship, lifelong friendships, and, now, the confidence to pursue her dreams knowing her sisterhood is behind her.
OMEGA SOCIETY
omega society
Loyal and Willing
Members of the Omega Society commit to supporting the Kappa Foundation with a planned gift. These donors recognize the work of Kappa extends well beyond a lifetime and want to continue making an impact after they’re gone. Meet two Omega Society members who were touched by the fleur. Across generations, their reasons for leaving Kappa in their wills are inspired by their Kappa experience and ensuring future generations also have the opportunity to experience our sisterhood.
ENDOWMENT MANAGEMENT
Our investment manager is Mercer Advisors. The Kappa Foundation Finance Committee and Investment Sub-Committee value Mercer’s investment management abilities; experience with responsible, environmental, social and governance investing; focus on gender diversity within the firm; the broad selection of investment choices; performance reporting and client service model; and fees. The Foundation’s first objective is to protect the assets that so many donors have given. The second is to grow those assets over time. We use a variety of investment strategies to achieve those objectives and our committee, which is made up of Kappa volunteers who are experts in the space, monitors the portfolio quarterly.
As of June 30, 2025, the Kappa Foundation endowment was $65,659,593 with 136 endowed funds. Endowed gifts make a transformational impact in Kappa’s programs and the lives of women. These funds may be established with a minimum $100,000 investment over five years.
Contributions
$1,179,451
$541,522
$316,626
$150,792
$84,903
$2,142
Unrestricted
Educational Programs
Scholarships
Rose McGill
Educational Area Grants
History
Total: $2,275,437
Allocation of Expenses
61%
26%
13%
Programming
Administration
Fundraising
mission
The mission of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation is to invest in our members by funding programs that fulfill the evolving needs of women.
Fiscal Year 2024 Board of Trustees
Peggy Black Meyer, Vanderbilt, President
Tiana Fowler Ronstadt, Florida State, Vice President
Amanda Brown Lang, Puget Sound, Treasurer
Alex Campion Young, South Carolina, Trustee
Barb Adams Goettelman, Syracuse, Trustee
Candy Kaelin Deemer, Northwestern, Trustee
Christina Frank Erwin, Washington University (St. Louis), Trustee
Cynthia Heaberlin Beaird, Tulane, Trustee
Keo Frazier, Cornell, Trustee
Maria Brown, Valparaiso, Trustee
Mary Pat Rooney, Drake, Trustee
Susanne Wolff Fick, Washington State, Trustee
Fiscal Year 2025 Board of Trustees
Peggy Black Meyer, Vanderbilt, President
Tiana Fowler Ronstadt, Florida State, Vice President
Amanda Brown Lang, Puget Sound, Treasurer
Alex Campion Young, South Carolina, Trustee
Barb Adams Goettelman, Syracuse, Trustee
Candy Kaelin Deemer, Northwestern, Trustee
Christina Frank Erwin, Washington University (St. Louis), Trustee
Elizabeth Bailey, Mississippi, Trustee
Jessica Coffield, UC Riverside, Trustee
Susanne Wolff Fick, Washington State, Trustee
Foundation Staff
Allison King, Specialist, Donor Operations
Faith Walkley Shelton, Westminster, Major Gift Officer
Hana Johnson, Kansas State, Major Gift Officer
Heather Waller, Manager, Annual Giving Campaigns
Jill Lansing Lucken, Iowa State, Executive Director
Kylie Towers Smith, Simpson, Archivist/Museum Director
Mary Eschbach Wright, Alumna Initiate, Coordinator, Donor Operations
Mary Kate Harrison Caviness, Arkansas, Manager, Donor Relations
Mary Osborne, Ph.D., Monmouth, Stewart House Museum Director
Your support helps women dream boldly and live fully. Thank you!
carry on the tradition of loyalty
Planning For Your Future
Kappa’s partnership with FreeWill provides the
opportunity for members to create a legally valid estate plan in just 20 minutes, as well as give to the Foundation through gifts of stock, IRA distributions, or estate gifts.
