College offers different opportunities and experiences. For many women attending college, it’s the perfect time to join a sorority to meet lifelong friends and discover shared purpose. One of the most meaningful stages in the Philanthropy Round in Sorority Recruitment is when values meet action. It’s the day when potential new members (PNMs) learn that sororities are not just social organizations, but networks of women committed to service, leadership, and making a difference.

Whether you’re nervous about recruitment or curious about what philanthropy really means in Greek life, this guide will help you understand the heart behind it all—and how books like Giving Is Not Just for the Rich by Susan Aurelia Gitelson reflect the same spirit of generosity and social impact that sororities uphold.

What Is the Philanthropy Round?

The sorority recruitment process has multiple rounds. It starts with the Open House or Values Round, followed by the Philanthropy Round. During this day, various sororities introduce their philanthropic causes, including the charities, organizations, or service projects they support throughout the year.

Here is an example of the partnerships between sororities and businesses or organizations:

1. Alpha Delta Pi: Ronald McDonald House Charities
2. Zeta Tau Alpha: Breast Cancer Education and Awareness
3. Kappa Kappa Gamma: Mental Health Awareness
4. Delta Gamma: Service for Sight

Sororities don’t choose random causes; rather, they select advocacies that represent core sorority values—compassion, unity, and the belief that women working together can change lives and the future.

So, what about the newcomers? Newcomers like you will participate in activities, conversations, and short presentations that reflect the chapter’s commitment to service during the Philanthropy Round. Some events include assembling care packages, writing simple cards for hospital patients, and learning about fundraising efforts for specific projects.

Throughout the process, you will connect with many members and learn the values of each sorority. You’ll also discover which mission resonates more with your heart and soul.

Conversations and Connections

When you walk into a chapter house or recruitment room during this round, expect meaningful and powerful conversations. Members will ask about your experiences with community service, volunteer work, or causes you’re passionate about.

More than leaning into your experiences and skills, you have to be authentic in sharing your motivations and intentions. You don’t have to have an intensive background, including years of volunteering or being a founder of a nonprofit, to fit in. What these recruiters see is your compassion and care for the advocacy. Sororities want to see genuine interest in service, empathy, and teamwork.

Some examples of questions you might hear during the conversations are these:

1. What types of volunteer projects have you enjoyed doing?
2. Which causes are close to your heart?
3. How do you see yourself getting involved with our philanthropy?

When sharing your thoughts and opinions, share them honestly. Maybe you’ve raised funds for animal shelters or rescue centers, shared skills with students and youth, or helped organize a local food drive. Every act of kindness counts.

These connections and conversations are the chance to show that your purpose aligns with theirs.

Meaning Behind Sorority Philanthropy

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For sororities, their philanthropy is the heartbeat of the community. Different Greek organizations collectively raise millions annually for their charitable causes and spend hours helping locals.

That’s the power of Greek life—thousands of young women across the country using their time, creativity, and collaboration skills to make an impact in the community.

This sense of service mirrors what Susan Aurelia Gitelson writes in her book Giving Is Not Just for the Rich. The book highlights that not everything is monetary; sometimes, the willingness to help weighs more. And this philosophy echoes with what sororities teach during recruitment.

Just as Gitelson encourages readers to give their time, talents, and compassion, sorority women model these principles every semester through hands-on service.

Why the Philanthropy Round Matters

Many PNMs think recruitment is about outfits, impressions, and house tours. But the Philanthropy Round is where sororities look beyond surface-level connections.

It focuses on purpose compatibility, discovering which chapters’ and groups’ philanthropic mission feels meaningful to you.

For instance, if you care about education equity, you might connect with a sorority that supports literacy programs. On the other hand, if you focus on illnesses, you can connect with a chapter that raises awareness and medical research for that disease.

The round is an opportunity to see a glimpse of shared values. It’s an emotional and inspiring day for recruiters and students.

Tips for Success

Here are some useful tips for a successful Philanthropy Round.

1. Make Your Research – Take time to learn about each chapter’s philanthropy before recruitment. Knowing a bit more about their cause and advocacies shows interest and maturity. It also shows your willingness to learn.
2. Be Sincere – Passion and authenticity stand out. Be genuine in answering questions and sharing your experience. Rehearsed answers are obvious. Don’t overthink your actions.
3. Ask Questions – Show your curiosity about the chapter’s cause and motivations. Ask how the members participate in fundraisers and volunteer work. You can also enquire about leadership roles within the committee. If you want to know the scheduling as well, you can ask the team.
4. Listen More – Sorority members appreciate thoughtful listeners—those who genuinely listen to them talk about their advocacies and aspirations. You have to pay attention to how they describe their experiences and culture within the group.
5. Reflect on Chosen Cause – Think about what giving back means to you. Why does it matter to you? What do you aim to do? When you reflect on your goals and capacity, you see a better version of yourself and the future with the sorority.

How Service Strengthens Sisterhood

Beyond the causes and campaigns, philanthropy builds unity and friendship. When sorority sisters come together for a fundraiser or volunteer project, they share the same goals and growth.

Working side by side toward something bigger than themselves cultivates empathy, accountability, and trust. It transforms a group of women into a family united by shared purpose and strength.

This is why service and sisterhood are inseparable. They form the foundation of lifelong bonds and leadership lessons that extend far beyond college. Even when sisters graduate, they still come together to continue doing charitable activities and work.

The tangible results of the sisters’ efforts bring incredible joy and satisfaction. Through their service, sorority members learn vital life skills: teamwork, empathy, communication, and leadership. These traits shape them into the kind of women who will continue contributing to society long after graduation.

If you’re searching for an empowering book about giving back to society, Susan Aurelia Gitelson’s Giving Is Not Just for the Rich is the perfect material to have. Grab your copy of this book today!