Photo by Ryan Hoffman

When people hear the word “sorority,” they may think of all-girl college groups, the virtues of lifelong sisterhood, and maybe an urban legend or two.

However, here is one thing most don’t talk about: their involvement in philanthropy.

Still, what is a philanthropy sorority exactly? In simple terms, it’s a group of college women who combine social connection with community service, often becoming a hub for student-led philanthropy initiatives. (In fact, you can check out Giving Is Not Just For The Very Rich to learn more about philanthropy sororities that remain quite active).

These groups can be commonly found spearheading campus-based charity drives, leadership development, and advocacy for various causes.

Some of these groups don’t even seek out large donors and mainly focus on organization and raising awareness. And in this guide, you will find a general idea of what their missions usually are, how they are structured, and the influential roles they can have in community engagement.

Sororities as Catalysts for Generosity

In Giving Is Not Just For The Very Rich, readers are reminded that giving is for everyone. You don’t need to be a millionaire to change lives. It can be enough to just have the will to contribute what you can, where you can.

Incidentally, that same spirit runs through several philanthropy sororities. At their core, these organizations are designed to promote service alongside sisterhood. Many college campuses across the country host chapters of national or local sororities that prioritize giving back and assisting the underprivileged.

These groups typically select one or more philanthropic causes to support. Some collaborate with their local children’s hospitals. Others may be involved in running domestic violence shelters or literacy programs.

The leaders of these groups usually spend the academic year coordinating multiple events and activities to support their chosen cause. These can include sorority-sponsored fundraising activities, hosting awareness events, and volunteering with other nonprofits.

A good philanthropy sorority is also one that creates a culture of purpose-driven action. Initiates are taught very early that their collective efforts in their activities can have a real and lasting impact. These lessons often stay with members long after graduation, setting the stage for lifelong civic engagement.

What Is a Philanthropy Sorority in Terms of Daily Operations?

Photo by The Tampa Bay Estuary Program

Now, perhaps the next most pressing question is what is a philanthropy sorority supposed to be doing regularly? What do you expect to see from the average member?

While routines and workflows can vary depending on the organization, their frameworks usually include the following:

Picking a Cause: Some do this at the start of the year, while others do it as frequently as every semester. Either way, this would be the time a chapter decides to continue a long-standing partnership with a national charity, or call for votes for a new cause to support.

Delegating Committees: Smaller groups of members may also form committees to brainstorm and organize fundraising efforts. This is meant to foster leadership and event-planning skills among students, as well as divide responsibilities.

Event Listing: Committees might plan and schedule a wide range of events throughout the year, including food drives, dance marathons, bake sales, or community workshops. They may also represent their causes in much larger venues such as inter-college sporting events.

Community Engagement: For some sororities, engaging the community can even be a higher priority than simple fundraising. This engagement can also take various forms, such as reading to children, cleaning up parks, or helping elderly residents with errands.

In many ways, this operational model mirrors all the important elements of a charitable organization that don’t necessarily require a high net worth.

Rather, the focus is on staying organized and intentional as well as on values like inclusivity. It is another living example that busts the myth about wealth being the sole thing that enables philanthropy.

After all, there are still many college students today who, despite limited personal funds, use their time, energy, and creativity for causes meant to improve the wider society.

In this sense, nonprofit work by sorority members is just another extension of this. And on the side, they learn the finer points of collaboration, commitment, and group organizing.

Naturally, these skills will prove handy (both in non-profit and for-profit fields).

The Lasting Impact of Sorority-Led Service

Of course, some might ask: what is a philanthropy sorority doing differently from other student groups?

A good answer lies in its hybrid structure. Sororities combine community, tradition, and activism. Unlike one-time volunteer clubs or short-term campus events, philanthropy sororities commit to year-long or even multi-year causes.

This is a reason why some of them have strong relationships with nonprofits or even produce thought leaders who know how to raise substantial funds for specific causes.

You may find some of them behind an annual charity gala in the school calendar. Others may initiate mentorship programs that pair sorority members with at-risk youth.

These aren’t just small gestures. The fundraising in sororities has enabled to become training grounds for young women aspiring to be nonprofit leaders, policy makers, and community organizers. (It’s an idea that’s also echoed in Giving Is Not Just For The Very Rich: that every person, regardless of background, has the power to give meaningfully and shape the world around them.)

This is not something easily found in other campus-based charity groups. Many well-known sororities get their reputation by equipping students with the tools to think critically about social issues and connecting with those in need.

Being a Force for Good on Campus

So, what is a philanthropy sorority really?

It is simply a sorority (with all the trappings and traditions) that is also all about fostering student-driven campaigns for a better world.

A regular reminder in Giving Is Not Just For The Very Rich is that giving is for all of us. The sororities closely involved in philanthropy are great examples of young people striving to be impactful changemakers.

Many center their values on generosity, innovation, and lasting impact. Whether through sorority-sponsored fundraising activities or hands-on volunteering, these women in these groups strive to show the real heart of philanthropy. It is a heart that beats to the rhythm of purpose, not merely privilege.

Remember, that if you’d like to learn more about philanthropy sororities, you can find several recommendations in Giving Is Not Just For The Very Rich. Copies are available at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.