In a matter of three weeks, Kappa Delta’s University chapter raised the most money for a new charity program, totaling $2,584.
The chapter was able to raise the money using a website called Greeks for Good, which is used to help the Greek community fundraise for philanthropy causes. The site is now being used at the University, which is the first school to use the program.
A man named Steve Good founded the program this past summer to help mobilize members of the Greek community to help raise money for charity without having to host an event.
Kappa Delta advertised through Facebook posts, allowing member’s friends to click on the link to find out more about the cause see if they want to donate money, said Emma Sales, a member of Kappa Delta. The website was an easy way to spread the word and for people to donate money to Kappa Delta quickly, Sales said.
The fact that the website is an easy way to raise money is one reason Delta Tau Delta member and senior Beau Slater was inspired to bring it to the University’s campus.
“I was at a conference in St. Louis last year where Steve Good made a presentation about the program,” Slater said. “I was pretty impressed with how it can help fundraise.”
Chapters typically rely on philanthropy events to raise money, so this website can help “expand our network,” Slater said.
“Eventually, we will have the capability for alumni to create their own page to help,” Slater said.
The site will help reach outside the University’s chapters and allow alumni to donate as well.
There have been 83 people in chapters who have signed up to participate, but 23 members have actually started using it, said Jeff Kegolis, assistant dean of students for fraternity and sorority life.
The website shows each member of a chapter and how much money they’ve raised for their own causes.
“It shows the top 10 members and the top 10 teams who are currently raising the most money so everyone has an idea,” Kegolis said.
Chapters are also able to click and view other chapters to donate money for their event.
“Members can also raise money individually for an event or charity,” Kegolis said.
Students don’t have to be a part of Greek life in order to sign up and raise money; it is open for all students’ use, Kegolis said.
Slater decided to try and raise money individually for a personal cause outside of his fraternity’s.
“I wanted to take the opportunity to raise money by myself so I’m raising money for Children’s Miracle Network,” Slater said. “It’s a great way to give more to other charities.”
Sales have individually raised $200 using the website.
“This has been a great way to help raise money outside of the community,” Sales said. “Since it’s online it’s so much easier to market and raise awareness.”
When each chapter signs up, it chooses which cause it wants. Greeks for Good will then send the money directly to the cause on a quarterly basis, Kegolis said.
“The website is pretty easy to navigate and use,” Kegolis said. “It also will help members realize that they may not even need to create an event but can just advertise for people to donate money.”
Slater said anyone is able to advertise through email, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, or connect it with an annual event.
“I just loved Greeks for Good’s approach; it isn’t done like this anywhere else,” Slater said. “I love how cause-focused it is.”
Kegolis said there is still a long way to go but this site is a step in the right direction for the Greek community.
“I think there is an ease this site will create to raise money because it is an ongoing effort,” Kegolis said. “It also will give them a way to figure out how to enhance the community through the website.”
