Philanthropy

"By the Light of Delta Gamma, we help others to see."

Although Delta Gamma's good work actually began in 1873 when the Founders adopted the motto "Do Good," the Delta Gamma Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Fraternity, was not incorporated until 1951. Early in the 1900s, the Student Loan Fund was established. The meeting of wartime emergencies in 1914 led to Delta Gamma's support of a hospital in Holland and a home for war orphans in Belgium.

In 1936, at the urging of blind member Ruth Billow, Delta Gammas adopted Sight Conservation and Aid to the Blind as an international project. Delta Gamma's work for the visually impaired became unique among philanthropies as members answered the needs within their own communities as well as on the international scene. Today, Delta Gamma collegians nationwide strive to uphold the ideals set forth in 1873 through our national philanthropy, Service for Sight.

The Delta Gamma Foundation also supports Service for Sight, Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans, Values and Ethics Lectureships, as well as other educational programs. 

Governed by a Board of Trustees, and administered by the Foundation Director and a Director for each area of activity, the Foundation continues to grow. Scholarships were added to the Grants and Loans program in 1957. Approximately $200,000 is awarded annually in scholarships, fellowships, and loans to recognize and assist outstanding members.

The Ruth Billow Memorial Fund provides financial aid to visually impaired members and educational grants to those members pursuing careers in services to the visually impaired.

In recent years, the scope of the Foundation has expanded to include a wellness program, Well Aware; a career networking system, Cable Connection; and educational programming and leadership training. In 1990, the Delta Gamma Foundation acquired Art of the Eye, an educational exhibit created by professional artists who are visually impaired. All of the Foundation activities are supported by staff housed in the Dorothy Garrett Martin Foundation Center at Delta Gamma Executive Offices in Columbus, Ohio.  The Zeta Gamma chapter of Delta Gamma at the University of Richmond was the first collegiate chapter to host the Art of the Eye II exhibit on campus in 2004.

 

Foundation Logo

The Delta Gamma Foundation logo is based upon an anchor, the beloved symbol of the Delta Gamma Fraternity and the age-old symbol of hope.

 

The circle at the top of the logo represents the Delta Gamma philosophy to which all Fraternity and Foundation programs adhere.

The fine line circle at the bottom of the anchor represents cooperation between the Fraternity and the Foundation for achieving the Delta Gamma Philosophy. 

The three circles within the anchor symbolize the three areas of Foundation emphasis:

Service for Sight

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Loans

Delta Gamma Educational Programs  

 The Shaft of the anchor represents development.  As the shaft supports the anchor, development sustains all other areas of the Foundation.  Together the circle and the crossbar of the anchor is the medical symbol for female and here represents the Delta Gamma wellness program, Well Aware.

The arrows or flukes of the anchor symbolize “Directions,” the framework for educational programming and cultural development for Delta Gamma members.  The arrows also stand for the responsibility of the Foundation to reach out beyond the Fraternity and the Foundation, even beyond the Greek world, to “do good.” 

The foundation logo was designed by Barbara Steiner Fuller, Wittenburg.