The purpose of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation is to advance the educational Mission and Goals of Beta Theta Pi toward the Vision of the Fraternity. The Foundation will strive to offer a variety of opportunities for gift support of the Fraternity's education activities; to communicate these opportunities to members regularly, and to provide the resources necessary to produce an effective and efficient advancement program for the mutual benefit of donors and Beta Theta Pi.

The Foundation is responsible to:

• Maintain and increase financial support through outright and endowment gifts for the educational activities of Beta Theta Pi
• Develop plans for a comprehensive advancement program and responsibility for execution
• Advise Board members and other volunteers on matters relating to the cultivation, solicitation and acceptance of gifts and grants in support of Beta Theta Pi
• Inform, serve, guide and assist donors in fulfilling family, financial and philanthropic objectives
• Coordinate all fund-raising efforts that involve the organization's leadership by matching donor interests with specific funding opportunities
• Research donors and prospective donors in order to best identify donor interests and maintain confidentiality of those research records
• Provide regular communication with the Fraternity's Board of Trustees, administrative secretary and staff regarding the state of the Foundation, including progress reports on gifts, grants, pledges and planned gifts
• Assist collegiate Betas to achieve their educational goals and objectives through scholarships and grants
• Assist Beta alumni to maintain their relationship with the General Fraternity and their chapters
• Demonstrate stewardship by interpreting the results of giving and expressing appropriate gratitude
• Assist and advise chapters when help is sought for fund raising activities

History

The Beta Theta Pi Foundation was first established as a not-for-profit public foundation in 1990. Formerly known as the Founder’s Fund, the Foundation solicits and receives contributions for needs and priorities established by the Board of Trustees and prescribed by donors. Its success has been built on the Beta Leadership Fund, a fund-raising campaign launched in 1971 to finance Beta Leadership Workshops and to found new chapters.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has actively advanced the educational Mission and Goals of Beta Theta Pi toward the Vision of the Fraternity. Some believe that the growth of the Foundation will determine the degree of the Fraternity’s success in the future.

First fund began in 1920: the concept of an educational foundation first was introduced in 1920 with the creation of the Founder’s Fund, a trust that was established by “various members . . . who desired to establish a permanent fund to honor the memory of the men who created, interpreted and exemplified the ideals of the Fraternity, which fund shall be devoted exclusively to charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes.” The inspiration for the Founder’s Fund came in 1919 when the bulk of the estate of William R. Baird, Stevens 1878, and his wife was left to the Fraternity, and received by the Founder’s Fund. What is now known as the Baird Fund is held in the General Fraternity, not the Foundation, and provides funding for the publication of The Beta Theta Pi magazine and the many services of the Communication department in the Administrative Office.

Foundation enjoying rapid growth: Today, the excitement over refocusing on Beta’s principles and values reflected in the Men of Principle initiative continues to build. Over the years the number of donors has grown. As a result of increasing alumni involvement and greater gift amounts, record numbers of dollars are received by the Foundation each year. The annual Beta Leadership Fund campaign, combined with receipt of planned gifts from alumni, collegians and parents of collegiate members, has allowed for meaningful increases in the educational activity that is underwritten by the Foundation.

The future: The Beta Theta Pi Foundation and Beta Theta Pi Fraternity are working together to ensure the best possible fraternity experience for every student who chooses to join the Beta brotherhood. As the educational programs and services of Beta Theta Pi expand and positively influence members, Beta alumni will become even more generous with the number and size of annual and planned gifts. It is hoped that Foundation activity will make a difference in every Beta’s experience today, causing members to consider “building a bridge” of support for the next generation of students intent on becoming scholars, leaders, servants and friends.