Sigma Chi Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Annual cycle (deadline May 6)
• Grant Range: Varying amounts (not specified)
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.sigmachi.org/foundation
• Phone: (847) 869-3655
• Email: Foundation@sigmachi.org
• Scholarship Administrator: Heidi Holley - heidi.holley@sigmachi.org - (847) 425-4470
• Address: 1714 Hinman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

Overview

The Sigma Chi Foundation is a 501(c)(3) educational organization established in 1941 with over $42 million in total assets and annual revenue of $14.4 million (2024). The Foundation's mission is to prepare young men to be values-centered leaders through academic scholarships and leadership development programs. While the Foundation primarily serves members of the Sigma Chi fraternity and their affiliates, it operates comprehensive scholarship programs and leadership initiatives that distribute millions annually in educational support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation offers multiple scholarship programs for Sigma Chi members and affiliates:

• Undergraduate Scholarships: Varying amounts for undergraduate brothers
• Graduate Scholarships: Support for brothers pursuing graduate/doctorate degrees
• Military Service Scholarship: For active/veteran military members (excluding ROTC)
• Brothers Helping Brothers Scholarships: Available year-round for brothers experiencing family hardship
• Chapter Sweetheart Scholarships: For chapter sweethearts affiliated with Sigma Chi
• Donor-Scholars Program: Named scholarships from specific donors

Priority Areas

• Academic excellence and educational achievement
• Leadership development
• Support for military service members
• Emergency financial assistance for members facing hardship
• Values-based leadership training

What They Don't Fund

• Non-Sigma Chi members (except Chapter Sweethearts)
• ROTC participants (for Military Service Scholarship)
• General organizational grants
• Programs unrelated to education or leadership development

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of Sigma Chi International Fraternity. Key personnel include:

• Chief Marketing Officer: Quinton Jay Ford
• Scholarship Administrator: Heidi Holley

The Foundation supports leadership initiatives including the Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop and "The Transformational Leader" program, demonstrating commitment to developing values-centered leaders.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through: https://sigmachi.secure-platform.com/a/organizations/main/home

The Foundation operates on an annual scholarship cycle:

• Application Deadline: May 6 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time (for 2026-2027 academic year)
• Year-Round Program: Brothers Helping Brothers Scholarships (for emergency financial assistance)

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an initiated member of Sigma Chi fraternity (most programs)
• Chapter Sweethearts eligible for specific scholarship program
• Military service members (active or veteran) eligible for Military Service Scholarship
• Graduate students must be pursuing graduate or doctorate degrees

Decision Timeline

• Annual cycle with May deadline
• Decision notifications typically occur before the fall semester
• Emergency assistance (Brothers Helping Brothers) reviewed on rolling basis

Success Rates

Success rates and total number of awards are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation allows reapplication annually. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's mission and programs:

• Demonstrate strong academic performance and educational goals
• Show alignment with Sigma Chi values and leadership principles
• For military scholarships, provide clear documentation of service
• For hardship scholarships, clearly articulate financial need and circumstances
• Emphasize commitment to values-centered leadership
• Connect educational goals with future leadership aspirations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation exclusively funds Sigma Chi members and closely affiliated individuals (Chapter Sweethearts)
• Multiple scholarship programs address different needs from academic merit to emergency hardship
• Strong emphasis on values-based leadership development alongside academic support
• Applications are online with a single annual deadline for most programs
• Emergency financial assistance available year-round through Brothers Helping Brothers program
• Foundation has significant assets ($42.6M) suggesting stable, long-term funding capacity
• Focus applications on educational goals and leadership development aligned with fraternity values

References

• Sigma Chi Foundation Official Website: https://www.sigmachi.org/foundation (accessed January 2025)
• Sigma Chi Foundation Scholarship Application Portal: https://sigmachi.secure-platform.com/a/organizations/main/home (accessed January 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sigma Chi Foundation (EIN: 362208386): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362208386 (accessed January 2025)
• Foundation Contact Page and Staff Directory (accessed January 2025)