More about our biggest day

What is Founders Day of Giving?

AΣT Founders Day of Giving is a two-day fundraising event, calling on Alpha Sigma Tau alumnae, collegians, families, and friends to rally together and support the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation.

By engaging in a little friendly competition through the Chapter Challenge and spreading Tau Love to encourage our Sisters to donate, we unite to empower women.

What impact does my gift make?

Many of Alpha Sigma Tau's programs and educational initiatives are only possible thanks to Foundation donors.

Your gift to the Anchor Fund empowers women to:

Become stronger leaders

Care for their mental health

Take control of their financial lives

Have a positive college experience

Develop life skills that will benefit them well beyond college

Gifts to a scholarship fund help our collegiate and alumnae members pursue their educational goals.

Visit our impact page to hear how donors like you make a difference.

How can I spread the word about Founders Day of Giving?

For Founders Day of Giving to make the biggest impact, we need Sisters like you to get involved and spread the word! Here are a few ways:

Become an Ambassador and win TAUsome prizes

Get social! Join our Facebook event and promote Founders Day of Giving on your personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles.

After making your gift, invite your Sisters to join in, too, by using the widget on the side of the campaign page.

Can I make a gift over the phone?

We encourage you to make your donation online using our secure payment processor. However, if you prefer to make your gift over the phone, please call 317-613-7573 leading up to or during the live event.

Can I make a recurring gift?

Absolutely! We’d love for you to join our hundreds of monthly donors in our Friendship & Fidelity Monthly Giving Circle.

A monthly donation subscription is a great way to simplify your charitable giving.

Why subscribe?

It’s simple—charitable giving fits nicely between your favorite streaming services!

The Foundation is better able to project income and plan ahead for grants and support.

Your donation allows the Foundation more flexibility and stability throughout the year.

It’s never been easier to create a new recurring subscription! During Founders Day of Giving, select the “Recurring” tab at the top of the donation form. When you submit the donation form, you will only be charged the amount of your initial gift, but the total of your monthly donation over 12 months will be included in the Founders Day of Giving and Chapter Challenge numbers.

For example, if you wish to contribute $10 a month, you will be charged $10 today (and on or around the 15th day of each month after), but $120 ($10 x 12 months) will display as your gift total.

Automatic monthly donations of $10 or more have a big impact over the course of a year—thank you!

Is there a minimum donation amount?

The minimum donation amount is $5. We encourage Sisters and friends to consider joining the Friendship & Fidelity Monthly Giving Circle with a recurring donation in an amount that fits your budget. Automatic monthly donations have a big impact over the course of a year!

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes! All gifts to the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. All online donors will receive an electronic receipt at the time the gift is made and a mailed summary of their annual giving for tax purposes in January 2025.

Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation’s Tax ID number is 63-0862852.

Can my employer match my donation?

Many companies match charitable donations made by their employees. When you make your gift online, you will be able to search for your employer and see if they participate in a matching gift program. In many instances, you’ll also receive more information about how to join your employer’s matching gift program—allowing you to double (or even triple!) your Founders Day of Giving impact!

Can I make a gift of stock in support of Founders Day of Giving?

Absolutely! We would love to discuss your options and help you support the Foundation in whichever way is most convenient for you.

To make a gift of stock in support of Founders Day of Giving, contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at aried@alphasigmatau.org or 317-613-7573.

Can I give via my donor-advised fund or make a qualified charitable IRA distribution?

Yes, you certainly can! We know there are many benefits to making a qualified charitable IRA distribution, and we’d love to help you achieve your goals of maximizing your budget while supporting the Foundation.

To give via your donor-advised fund or make a qualified charitable IRA distribution, contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at aried@alphasigmatau.org or 317-613-7573.

How can I host a bonus match or challenge gift?

Leading up to and throughout Founders Day of Giving, we can work with you to create a challenge that fits your budget and interests.

$300-$749: Host an unlock bonus where your gift is unlocked when a benchmark is reached

$750-$999: Host an unlock bonus OR a dollar-for-dollar match

$1000+: Host an unlock bonus, dollar-for-dollar match, OR a challenge of your choice!

Create your challenge event by contacting Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at aried@alphasigmatau.org or 317-613-7573.

Thank you for inspiring others to contribute to the day!

What is the Chapter Challenge?

Our Chapter Challenge is a friendly competition in the spirit of Sisterhood! When you donate during November 3-4, you can choose to have your gift count towards a specific collegiate chapter.

Throughout the event, we see which chapter can raise the most money for the future of Alpha Sigma Tau! We even have fun prizes—like a Ritual supply refresh and campus speakers—for our top fundraising chapters!

Click here to find your chapter’s donation page or click here to learn more about our prizes.

How do I support my chapter in the Chapter Challenge?

To support your chapter in the Chapter Challenge, find your chapter’s donation page here and make a donation. On your chapter's campaign page, you’ll see matches and bonuses associated with your chapter during this year’s Founders Day of Giving. When you are on the donate page, you’ll be able to allocate your gift however you’d like, including the Anchor Fund—our fund for the area of greatest need.

Can I still donate if my chapter is no longer active?

Absolutely! Only active, open chapters are included in the Chapter Challenge, but all alumnae and friends can donate to the Anchor Fund (making the biggest impact), a scholarship fund, or our National Archives Preservation Fund. Additionally, you can support any chapter in the Chapter Challenge, if you choose!

Where does the bonus or matching-dollar money come from?

Generous donors make all of the bonuses, dollar-for-dollar matches, and unlocks possible.

These events are critical in the success of Founders Day of Giving. Learn more about all of our challenge events and generous supporters here.

If you want to host a match or bonus, contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at aried@alphasigmatau.org or 317-613-7573.

When will the results of the day be announced?

Winners of bonuses and unlocks will be announced throughout the event. Winners of the Chapter Challenge will be announced immediately at the conclusion of the event.

Prizes for Ambassadors, the Chapter Challenge, and the 1899 Society Challenge will be announced and distributed in the weeks following Founders Day of Giving.

How can I make a gift from my estate or will?

A planned gift commitment—including bequests and pledged estate gifts—can make a transformational impact on the future of the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation. This type of charitable giving is a great way to create your legacy within Alpha Sigma Tau.

If you would like to talk to someone about joining the Legacy Society or request more information, please contact Ashley Smith Ried, Director of Alumnae Engagement, at 317-613-7573 or aried@alphasigmatau.org.

Have more questions?

Contact the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation team by email at foundation@alphasigmatau.org or by phone at 317-613-7573.