Endowments & Fellowships

Contributions are the lifeblood of the Foundation’s work, enabling us to generate the investment income that funds our programs.

While cash donations are the most common form of giving, insurance, memorial gifts, charitable trusts, stocks and bonds are other methods. One of the most gratifying ways for donors to support lifelong learning is by giving to or establishing an endowment fund or fellowship within the Foundation.

These funds add a whole new dimension to the concept of nurturing lifelong learning because they allow the benefactor to reaffirm his or her commitment to a particular niche in education, by establishing specific criteria and guidelines for awarding the funds. Endowments and fellowships are also an excellent way for donors to honor the memory of a friend or loved one.

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation offers an opportunity for members, organizations and corporations to leave a lasting legacy through its Endowment Program. An endowment is a restricted, invested fund from which the interest and dividends earned are used for scholarships awards. The principal is never touched, thereby providing a “scholarship” nest egg for years to come. Special donor stipulations may be used to establish the fund to support a personal commitment, honor a loved one or support a specific profession.

For more information, download the Leaving a Lasting Legacy Endowment Brochure.


You are in control!

  • You establish the eligibility criteria.
  • You determine the amount and frequency of awards given.
  • You decide the name of the fund.
  • You may be involved in the selection process during your lifetime, if you wish.
  • You decide when the first award is to be made.
  • You determine who receives annual reports on the fund.

 


The first step

A minimum of $1,000 may be submitted to “initiate” an endowed fund. This denotes intent and identifies the name(s) of the donor(s). Once the fund reaches $5,000, it is considered “established,” becomes part of the Foundation’s restricted funds and begins to draw interest, which is compounded to facilitate growth and eventual capitalization. No awards are made from the fund until it is “capitalized” at $20,000. Simply put:

  1. Initiate $1,000 - $4,999 (Temporarily restricted)
  2. Established $5,000 (draws interest, becomes permanently restricted)
  3. Interest Applied $5,000 - $19,999 (No awards made)
  4. Capitalized $20,000 (awards made based on actual net interest and dividends)

What’s next?

  • Complete an Endowed Scholarship Fund Agreement (see forms download section of the Web site or call the EAF office).
  • Submit the Agreement with the initial check, made payable to AKA-EAF, with the name of the endowed fund noted.
  • Mail the Agreement and check to: AKA-EAF, 5656 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago, IL 60637


FELLOWSHIPS

If you are a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and would like to establish a fellowship, your efforts would support students in a particular field of study. Fellowships are awarded during even-numbered years, and the amount of the award is determined by the fellowship administrator or designated group. Any monies over $5,000 will draw interest.

Download Fellowship Agreement. [PDF]

ALICE S. MARRIOTT SCHOLARSHIP FUND


Marriott International has partnered with Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc. to grant scholarships for 2008 to 2011. The scholarships will be offered to students from traditionally underrepresented groups who are interested in careers in hospitality.

Alice S. Marriott married J. Willard Marriott in 1927. In addition to her corporate and family responsibilities, Alice devoted time to a number of civic, charitable and cultural institutions and causes. She held several high-ranking roles in the Republican Party, including treasurer of the national conventions. Alice was also a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and served two ten-year terms on its board and its executive and finance committees. Her personal philosophy of volunteerism is remembered in the Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service, an honor bestowed annually on a Marriott business unit that exemplifies the volunteer spirit. The Alice S. Marriott Scholarship Fund was created to honor the memory of Marriott's co-founder and mother of Chairman and CEO Bill Marriott.

Applications and supporting documents for the 2009 Alice S. Marriott Scholarship Fund awards had a postmark deadline of June 15.


LEGACY ENDOWMENTS

Creating a "Legacy Endowment" is an excellent way to encourage family members who are Alpha Kappa Alpha "sisters" to pool funds for prosperity. It can be used to promote endowment-building at the Sorority’s Regional Conferences and other venues and is a personal and heartfelt way to create a "lasting legacy" for family members under one initiative.

Download Endowment Scholarship Application here. [PDF]

Capitalized Funds $20,000 or More

(Click on a fund title below to view criteria. [PDF])

Central Region
States Covered: WI, IL, IN, KY, St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, MO; MN; ND; SD

Far Western Region
States Covered: AZ; CA; OR; WA; NV; UT; ID; AK; HI

Great Lakes Region
States Covered: OH; WV; MI; western PA; western NY

International Region
Areas Covered: All chapters located outside of the U.S.

Mid-Atlantic Region
States Covered: VA; NC

Mid-Western Region
States Covered: IA; NE; KS; MO (except St. Louis & Cape Girardeau); OK; CO; MT; WY

North Atlantic Region
States Covered: MA; eastern NY; eastern PA; NJ; DE; CT; MD; DC; RI; ME; NH; VT

South Atlantic Region
States Covered: SC; GA; FL

South Central Region
States Covered: AR; TX; NM; LA

South Eastern Region
States Covered: TN; AL; MS

 

EAF–touching the lives of all kinds of people.