Forgotten Role of Fundraising in Fraternities & Sororities

Greek life does not mean living to party. Although newsworthy events sometimes paint fraternities and sororities in a bad light, these organizations also do a lot of good for their communities. 

Below, we will examine why and how these organizations raise funds, as well as real-life examples of what these efforts have accomplished. 

Why Fraternities and Sororities Fundraise

There is no single reason why Greek organizations make fundraising a way of life. Below are some of the motivating facets.

Skills Development

Members of a fraternity are given position titles and work to do just as they would in a corporation. This responsibility and interaction fosters soft skills such as leadership, communication, interpersonal skills, conflict management, and good organization. They may also learn specific hard skills like event planning or budget management.

This is a good time to offer a reminder of where to put your fraternity on a resume—you can list your position as you would a job under Work Experience, or create a column for Volunteering or Volunteer Activities.

Team building

Members of a fraternity or sorority usually live together with others in their group. They are likened to a family, and older members mentor younger ones. When members work collaboratively toward a common goal—in this case, fundraising—it creates a sense of unity and belonging, strengthening the bonds of the brotherhood or sisterhood.

This doesn’t end upon graduation, either. Fundraising efforts include alumni engagement, securing not only ongoing financial support but also connection with older generations. 

Philanthropy

Giving back through charitable donations is a cornerstone of Greek life. It’s critical to the core values of many chapters. When they raise money, they also raise awareness for the causes they care about. The net gain is a real difference made in the lives of others.

Financial Stability

It is no secret that living the Greek life can be expensive. New member fees average from $600 to $1000. Initiation fees can range from $500 to $1,500. Continuing dues may be $100 to $500 each year. Greek housing costs can be thousands of dollars each year, depending on the campus.

Fundraising serves to help offset these costs, relieving the financial burden placed on members. Funds raised may cover operational costs, including upkeep of the chapter house, as well as the cost of hosting events. Some chapters may offer financial aid or academic scholarships to members, funded by fundraising activities. 

How Greek Organizations Fund raise

Tradition fundraising methods, such as car washes and bake sales, as still engaged in from time to time. But many chapters have found other methods such as the following to be effective: 

• Virtual fundraising such as crowdfunding, online sales, or streaming events allows chapters to reach a larger audience than they could by traditional methods. Social media campaigns can raise awareness for a cause.

• Matched donations—asking local businesses to pledge to match the amount of money raised in a given timeframe can double the results of your fundraising efforts.

• Concerts, talent shows, and theatrical performances—these events can lean into the talents of the chapter members, or talent can be outsourced (hired or requested as a donation). Funds are raised through ticket sales. As mentioned above, this is not limited to in-person events. Even a live event can be ticketed and streamed, tapping into a larger audience.

• Philanthropy auctions—chapters can partner with local businesses to provide not only items but unique experiences for the auction block. The event can be live, online, or a hybrid of the two.

• Themed Galas—Not everyone can score a ticket to the Met Gala, but supporting their local chapter is a reachable goal. Chapters can use their chapter house or rent a venue. Transform the rooms into an immersive experience—a masquerade ball, a speakeasy from the Roaring 20s, or a tropical cruise, to name a few. 

Benefits of Greek Philanthropy

Fundraising by Greek organizations has transformed our world in tangible ways. For example, donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital have helped push the childhood cancer survival rate to 80 percent—up from just 20 percent in 1962—while also ensuring that the children’s families never receive a bill. The Tri Delta sorority alone has raised over $93 million for St. Jude since 1999.

Another example is Pi Kappa Phi’s cross-country bike ride that supports The Ability Experience, a nonprofit that represents people with disabilities. This event raises over $750,000 each year. Pi Kappa Phi’s collective donations have totaled more than $15 million.

Key Takeaways

When you join a sorority or fraternity, fundraising is an intrinsic part of that experience. It’s not just about collecting money, either—it’s about developing leadership skills, building community, and making a positive impact. Car washes, bake sales, galas, philanthropy events, and digital fundraising initiatives are woven into the very fabric of Greek life. To the causes they benefit, they accomplish a world of good.