Did you know that sororities are consistently among the most philanthropic groups on college campuses across the nation?

This may come as a surprise to some who have only known stereotypes about “sorority girls.” However, along with scholarship and sisterhood, philanthropy is a key component of any true sorority, both at the national and chapter level.

So how do sororities give back?  And what can other philanthropists learn from their efforts?


Most sororities have one specific charity that their organization supports on a national level, with each individual chapter fundraising for the cause.  This model can be extremely effective because sororities’ national headquarters have full-time employees who can research beneficiaries and ensure their donations are used well, tasks that are simply impossible for many other student-run organizations.  And when different chapters of one sorority all donate to a charity, their beneficiary is sure to receive ample support.  For example, Tri Delta has adopted St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as their official beneficiary.  Since 1999, Tri Delta has raised more than $12 million for the organization.  And their most common fundraising method across campuses?  A midnight pancake breakfast where students buy tickets for an all-you-can-eat pancake buffet.  Cheap food, late-night fun, and charity is the perfect combination to reach students of all interests, Greek or not, on a large campus.

Often, sororities have a personal tie to the charities they support.  In 1936, Delta Gamma member Ruth Billow made a plea to their national convention.  Blinded in a childhood accident, she asked her sisters to make a difference in the lives of the blind and visually impaired.  Ruth probably never imagined that the Delta Gamma Foundation would go on to donate over $2,800,000 to organizations supporting this mission.  But DG’s support goes beyond finances alone: Delta Gammas log 120,000 service hours each year with Service for Sight.  Delta Gamma’s preferred method of fundraising is Anchor Splash, a swim competition for fraternities and sororities that highlights the fun in fundraising through both intense and silly competitions.

Other common events across chapters include:

  • Poker nights
  • Tug-of-war competitions
  • Laser tag battles
  • Beach volleyball tournaments
  • Kickball
  • Dodgeball games
  • Pageants (often with fraternity men as contestants).

In the case of competitions, other houses assemble a team and pay an entry fee, which is usually donated to the beneficiary.

The keys to success for any sorority fundraiser are inexpensive entry fees, participatory activities, fun, and a great cause to support!