Clarifying Donations and KSTUAA recommendations

We receive questions from time to time and we hope the following content and FAQ will be helpful to you.

First. We want all our alumni to understand how important it is to contribute your "time, talents and treasure" to secure the health of our Theta-Upsilon Chapter, our Alumni Association and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Some examples: 

• Alumni donations have helped us support Chapter operations buying tables and chairs for meetings, furniture, signage and other things that will help with recruiting. 
• Alumni donations are creating a new secured Conference/Trophy Room inside the Chapter House to promote excellence and showcase the 1967 & 2022 Charters and memorabilia.
• Alumni donations are recreating half size composites of all the class years to hang in the bedroom hallways. This was requested by undergraduates and we are excited for alumni to be able to return and see these. 
• Alumni donations during the SAJ Weekend of Giving (March 4 each year) have grown the Theta-Upsilon's Scholarship Fund to a size where it will provide four scholarships each year. As donations come in this number will grow. 
• Alumni donations have supported the Chapter's philanthropy efforts.
• Alumni donations help us print and mail the Fricker Report and support alumni events at Miami and online like the recent College Bowl Contest.
• Alumni donations help us recognize brothers that have joined the Celestial and console family members through our Memorial Fund.      

Second. Alumni donations signal to others that our alumni care about what happens to our Chapter. This is critical for Miami University (think Beta Bells) as well as Kappa Sigma.

Some examples:

• KSTUAA made donation to Miami University during our 50th anniversary which resulted in a Flowering Tree and plaque being installed near the Chapter House.
• KSTUAA made donations to purchase a stone on the the Stephen Alonzo Jackson Memorial Plaza. Additionally alumni have purchased stones and bricks further supporting the Endowment Fund and the Chapter's Scholarships.
• Alumni have become donors through the Jackson's Men Program and paid Kappa Sigma Alumni Dues signaling our commitment to the Fraternity.

Third. KSTUAA seeks to recognize and thank alumni who donate by recording their names on the Donors Page each year. In addition, KSTUAA recognizes donations made to Kappa Sigma and to the Chapter's philanthropies as well as the donations of in kind services and expenditures.  While this pages refreshes each year, KSTUAA posts everyone's name who donated at the end of the fiscal year.

FAQ.

Q. I made a donation to Kappa Sigma's Endowment Fund or donated to the Chapter's philanthropy. How do I let KSTUAA know about it? 

A. Simply, email us at KSTUAA@gmail.com and provide us details. The amount will be added to whatever KSTUAA donation or Dues payment you've already made.  If you haven't made a donation to KSTUAA in the Fiscal Year you can do so easily with PayPal.  

Q. Are donations to KSTUAA tax-deductible?

A. No. KSTUAA is a 501-(c)-7 not-for-profit "social organization" and not recognized as a 510-(c)-3 charity.  The Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund is a (c)-3 and donations made during Stephen Alonzo Jackson Weekend of Giving are tax-deductible.     

Q. Where can I direct my questions? 

A. Simply, email us at KSTUAA@gmail.com and provide us your mobile phone and our Treasurer or someone else depending on the question will call you back.         

Q. I would like to add benefit the Chapter or Kappa Sigma in my will or as a beneficiary to a Life Insurance policy. 

A. That's Great! We can help you understand some different options and would love to speak with you about those.  Email us at KSTUAA@gmail.com and provide us your mobile phone and someone will call you back.    

Q. I would like to make a donation to Miami University that will benefit the Chapter. Can that be done? 

A. KSTUAA has discussed several options with Miami about creating an Endowment Fund that benefits the Chapter. We have not created an account yet but are interested in seeing that happen.  Email us at KSTUAA@gmail.com and we will call you back.

Q. Where can we see the balance of the Theta-Upsilon Chapter's Scholarship Fund balance? 

A. Information about the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund, its Trustees and programs can be found at https://www.kappasigma.org/endowment-fund/.  The trustees publish the balances of each chapter on a separate page: https://www.kappasigma.org/endowment-fund/chapter-scholarship-fund-balances.

As of Fall 2022 the Theta-Upsilon balance stands at $33,334.40!
This amount has grown steadily each year through donations of our alumni primarily through the SAJ Weekend of Giving. Below are the recent CSF Balances. 
2021: $18,021
2020: $7,146
2019: $4,192
2018: $2,148
2017: $1,238
2016: $945.84  

Q. Does the size of our Chapter's CSF impact the scholarships given out? 

A. Yes. While the Endowment Fund Trustees award at least one Scholarship award to every chapter, those chapters with more than $10,000 in their CSF often see more awards and larger awards.  For example with the Theta-Upsilon 2022 CSF Balance being over $33,000 our Chapter saw three brothers given awards.  Theta-Omicron Chapter with a CSF of over $70,000 saw seven members receive awards!