Philanthropy
Alpha Gamma Delta was the first women's fraternity to establish an international philanthropic project.
In 1919, Convention voted to create a summer camp for underprivieged children, and in 1920 the camp was opened on a lake in Jackson, Michigan. Later, a second camp was established in Wellington, Ontario. The summer camps were staffed by collegians and alumnae of Alpha Gamma Delta for over 25 years, and many are the humorous and sentimental tales told by those who spent their summers as camp counselors and workers.
In 1947, Alpha Gamma Delta changed its philanthropic focus, but maintained an interest in children. Working with the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults, the Fraterntiy sponsored a training program for counselors involved with thte rehabilitation of the physically impaired.
The Convention of 1964 approved a change of project to provide support for children with minimalbrain dysfunction. At that time, Alpha Gamma Delta was also sponsoring cleft palate symposia held periodically at Syracuse University, and providing aid to alumnae sisters in financial need through the Louise Leonard Fund.
In 1979, at the Diamond Anniversary Convention, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation was adopted as the official beneficiary of financial support and service.
Since 1962, the evolution of the Fraternity's philanthropy was accompanied by the emergence and progress of the Alpha Gamma Delta Founders Memorial Foundation. The name of the Founders Memorial Foundation was changed to the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation in 1990.
The Foundation is a trust, separate form the Fraternity's structure, administered by Trustees appointed by International Council. Under terms of the trust, the Foundation may make financial grants to promote and support religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational organizations and activities throughout the United States and Canada. It was established to provide the vehicle through which all of the Fraternity's charitable projects are funded. It receives money through doantions from chapters, clubs, individual members, and friends. In the United States, individuals may claim tax deductions for their contributions.
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