Funding Priorities

Our mission of advancing women’s lives through the power of philanthropy is put into action through our five vital funding priorities.

Through the generosity of donors, Alpha Phis are provided the opportunity and access to transformative leadership experiences. They receive the life-changing renewal and encouragement of an academic scholarship or Forget Me Not Grant. With your help, Alpha Phis invest in the advancement of women’s cardiac research and care and preserve the rich heritage of Alpha Phi Fraternity.

Select a program listed to the left to learn more about what a gift to Alpha Phi Foundation can do for our chapters, members, and communities around the world.

Leadership

Scholarship

Heart Health

Forget Me Not

Heritage

Recent Program Impact

Advancing Women’s Heart Health: A Powerful Day at Stanford
Stanford University’s 2025 Heart to Heart Grant Presentation Earlier this month, Alpha Phi Foundation donors and partners gathered at Stanford University for a meaningful day of learning, connection, and inspiration, celebrating the groundbreaking work made possible through the 2025 Heart to Heart Grant. The event started with opening remarks from Dr. Jennifer Tremmel, Clinical Director of Women’s Heart Health at Stanford and a longtime advocate for advancing cardiac care for women. Dr. Tremmel spoke about the importance of collaboration in women’s heart health research, a theme that carried throughout the morning. Spotlight on the Heart to Heart Grant Attendees then heard from Dr. Katharine Sears-Edwards, who presented Stanford’s winning Heart to Heart Grant proposal, “Evidence-Based Online Peer Support after Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD).” This project represents the first cross-country collaboration in the Heart to Heart Grant’s 32-year history, joining efforts between Stanford and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI). Through this partnership, Dr. Edwards and her team are adapting UOHI’s successful Women@Heart peer-support program into a new initiative tailored for women recovering from Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)- a rare, often sudden cardiac event that affects women disproportionately. The adapted program, called SCAD@Heart, will train peer-support leaders (women who have personally experienced SCAD) to provide online support and community for patients across the U.S. and Canada. “We aim to learn whether evidence-based peer support to reduce stress and psychological distress is feasible and can improve outcomes among female cardiac patients,” shared Dr. Edwards. “Our project focuses on one of several stress-triggered cardiovascular conditions that are more common in women than men.” Dr. Katharine Sears-Edwards Collaborative Discussion and Shared Learning Following the presentation, attendees participated in breakout sessions designed to foster dialogue and reflection. Each small group explored the emotional and psychological challenges women face following a cardiac event and discussed how peer support can complement clinical care. The sessions encouraged thoughtful conversation and allowed participants to share ideas and questions directly with Stanford’s research team. A Story of Strength and Connection One of the most powerful moments of the day came from a guest speaker and SCAD survivor, who shared her personal experience and how access to peer support transformed her recovery. Her heartfelt story illustrated the direct impact that programs like SCAD@Heart can have, not just on individual healing, but on building a community of understanding and resilience among women with similar experiences. Continuing Momentum As part of their ongoing efforts, Dr. Edwards and her team have also proposed expanding the SCAD@Heart platform through the Foundation’s Heart to Heart Community Grant. In partnership with the SCAD Alliance, Dr. Edwards and her team aim to make peer-support resources available to even more women worldwide. Donors Making a Difference This event was a reminder of the difference made possible through Alpha Phi Foundation donors and volunteers. For more than 75 years, Alpha Phi has remained dedicated to advancing women’s heart health. Your generosity fuels this work, empowering women to take charge of their health, supporting groundbreaking research, and helping build a future where no woman faces heart disease alone. Thanks to all attendees, donors, and Foundation volunteers. We could not do this important work without you.
October 28, 2025 11:28 am
Hand in Hand Through Hurricane Helene
After Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, members of the Theta Nu Chapter at Appalachian State were back on campus, demonstrating remarkable resilience and unity, volunteering with local organizations. Chapter alumnae worked to ensure affected members, collegians and other alumnae, were taken care of by the Foundation’s Forget Me Not Grant. Hurricane Helene, made landfall in Florida as a category four storm on September 26th, moving north causing widespread destruction and flooding in six states. Included in Helene’s devastating path was Western North Carolina, leaving unexpected and severe impact on the Boone area, home of Appalachian State University and the Theta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi. Communities were left with widespread power outages and communication challenges, making it difficult to account for members and assess the damage. Despite these obstacles, Alpha Phi Foundation’s Forget Me Not Grant proved to be a vital resource, and sisters stepped up to provide crucial support to the community. The complete disconnection from modern communication, a new experience for collegians who grew up in an era of constant connection, made the aftermath feel “apocalyptic”. Chapter Advisor Megan Maloney (Theta Nu-Appalachian State), away at the Alpha Phi Disney Leadership Institute at the time of the storm, faced a frantic few days of immense difficulty confirming the safety of members. Ironically, I was at the Disney Institute with Cayce Blackley (Theta Nu-Appalachian State) and our Chapter’s attendee, Lily Fox, when the storm hit. Thankfully a majority of our members had left Boone to go home in anticipation of the storm, but there was so much uncertainty and trying to do what I could from afar. I am so grateful I was with Cayce and other leaders from Alpha Phi to help me put a higher level of emergency plan in place. When I was able to reach my president on the phone it was like going way back in time, ‘Can you hear me now?’ It was just a wild 24-48 hours as we were trying to account for everyone. Lily is from Asheville and we had learned her family’s home was destroyed. When we returned back to Charlotte, my car had been destroyed. But we still didn’t understand the magnitude of what was going on in Boone at the time. In response, efforts were made to reach out through texts and social media once service was restored, prioritizing those in the hardest-hit mountain areas. “Part of our emergency response plan was specifically to determine who from our chapter, current members and alumnae, might need financial assistance. We had a Facebook Messenger group of something like 200 sisters and it started to take off; it was such a lifeline for so many of our sisters.”
June 23, 2025 10:38 am
Vision & Values: Celebrating Five Years of the Alpha Phi Disney Leadership Institute
This year marks a momentous occasion for Alpha Phi as we celebrate five years of a transformative partnership with the Disney Leadership Institute. This incredible collaboration has provided unparalleled leadership development opportunities for our members, fostering personal growth, enhancing professional skills, and profoundly impacting our organization through the Foundation’s mission: advancing women’s lives through the power of philanthropy. Alpha Phi’s partnership with the Disney Leadership Institute began in 2020, however, the inaugural three-day program was not held until September 2021 due to the pandemic. The curriculum, developed and facilitated by the Disney Institute at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, focuses on cultivating essential leadership qualities. Attendees learn to lead with purpose, identify personal values, understand emotional connections, explore stereotypes, and apply transferable leadership skills. Participants also gain invaluable insights into effective communication, strategic thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving – all within the magical and inspiring environment of Disney. The impact of this program on Alpha Phi has been nothing short of significant. The Alpha Phi Disney Leadership Institute has taught participants how to provide service to members through the Disney Chain of Excellence, the principles of leading with genuine care, how to define their personal values and incorporate them into leadership, the impact of recognition on performance and happiness, and how to communicate a leadership vision through storytelling. We’ve seen attendees return to their chapters and communities with renewed purpose, equipped with actionable strategies to lead with greater confidence and make a tangible difference. Alpha Phi’s High Ideals of Membership: Reinforced by Disney Institute Principles The Disney Leadership Institute’s core educational concepts directly align with and amplify Alpha Phi’s High Ideals of Membership, creating a powerful union that benefits our members and strengthens our sisterhood. Sisterhood that Lasts a Lifetime & The Leadership Imperative: Just as exceptional leadership is a key to Disney’s long-term success, fostering a sisterhood that endures requires consistent, thoughtful leadership. The Disney Institute’s focus on “The Leadership Imperative” encourages Alpha Phis to consider their leadership strengths and how their behavior impacts their team and organization – directly translating to how they build and sustain strong, lifelong bonds within the sorority. By understanding their influence, members can intentionally cultivate a supportive and lasting sisterhood. Striving for Innovation & Establish Values and Vision: Alpha Phi’s commitment to striving for innovation is perfectly complemented by the Disney Institute’s emphasis on “Establishing Values and Vision.” The institute teaches that aligning personal values with organizational values is critical for outstanding results. For Alpha Phis, this means understanding how their individual drive for innovation can be channeled to align with and advance the sorority’s mission. By proactively aligning their behavior with Alpha Phi’s values, members are empowered to innovate and create positive change while staying true to their core principles. Practicing Generosity at Every Turn & Put Behaviors Into Action: The ideal of practicing generosity resonates deeply with the Disney Institute’s concept of “Putting Behaviors Into Action.” Leaders must model the values that contribute to the vibrancy of an organization. Alpha Phis learn to intentionally communicate, reinforce expectations, and build values-infused teams. This translates to practicing generosity not just through philanthropy, but through acts of kindness, mentorship, and selfless contributions to their chapters and communities, reinforcing a culture of giving and support. High Expectations for Character & Sustain and Protect the Culture / Lead with Your Legacy in Mind: Alpha Phi’s high expectations for character are central to the Disney Institute’s concepts of “Sustaining and Protecting the Culture” and “Leading with Your Legacy in Mind.” The institute highlights that an organization’s values are vulnerable and require constant protection. By developing the next generation of leaders today, Alpha Phis learn to recognize when their values and character may be at risk and how to preserve them. Furthermore, the emphasis on leading with legacy in mind encourages members to reflect on the lasting influence they want to have, ensuring their actions are always aligned with the highest standards of character, leaving a positive and enduring impact on Alpha Phi and beyond. We reached out to participants from the inaugural class of the Alpha Phi Disney Leadership Institute, all of whom are now alumnae, to see what they remember about the experience and if they’re still using those tools today. One woman even cites that three-day experience as the catalyst in shaping her professional future: “My experience with the Disney Institute had a profound impact not only on my time within my Alpha Phi chapter, but also on the overall direction of my career.” Inaugural Alpha Phi Disney Leadership Institute Participants: Five Years Later!
June 23, 2025 7:54 am