Welcome to the Omega Delta Foundation section of the Omega Delta web site. We are pleased to share the goals of the Omega Foundation in this section and we are proud that the educational resources that we provide for Omega Delta chapters and members have grown. This is due to loyal donors that share the Fraternity's mission and vision.

The Omega Delta Foundation strives to offer various opportunities for the gift support of the Fraternity's educational activities. We also try to provide much needed resources to chapters and colonies. None of this is possible without the generous support of donors to Omega Delta.

I hope that you will join me by supporting the Fraternity's efforts. By giving, you will have the satisfaction of making a positive difference in the lives of tomorrow's leaders!


Fraternally,

Michael Pensinger, Illinois '01
Foundation Chairman

The purpose of the Omega Delta Foundation is to advance the educational Mission and Goals of Omega Delta toward the Vision of the Fraternity. The Foundation strives to offer various opportunities for gift support of the Fraternity's educational activities and provide much needed resources to chapters and colonies. None of this is possible without the generous support of donors to Omega Delta.

The Omega Delta Foundation will continue to strive to offer a variety of opportunities for gift support of the Fraternity's educational activities, to communicate these opportunities to members regularly and to provide the resources necessary for an effective and efficient advancement program for the mutual benefit of donors and Omega Delta. The responsibilities of the foundation are to:


• Maintain and increase financial support through outright and endowment gifts for the educational activities of Omega Delta.

• Develop plans for a comprehensive advancement program and responsibility for execution.

• Advise Board members and other volunteers on matters relating to the cultivation, solicitation and acceptance of gifts and grants in support of Omega Delta.

• Inform, serve, guide and assist donors in fulfilling family, financial and philanthropic objectives.

• Coordination of all fund-raising efforts that involve the organizations' leadership by matching donor interests with specific funding opportunities.

• The researching of donors and prospective donors in order to best identify donor interests and maintain confidentiality of those research records.

• Regular communication with the Fraternity's Board of Trustees, administrative secretary and staff regarding the state of the Foundation, including progress reports on gifts, grants, pledges and planned gifts.

• Assist collegiate Omegas to achieve their educational goals and objectives through scholarships and grants.

• Assist Omega alumni to maintain their relationship with the General Fraternity and their chapters.

• Assist and advise chapters when help is sought for fund raising activities.

• Demonstrate stewardship by interpreting the results of giving and expressing appropriate gratitude.

The Omega Foundation was first established as the Founders Fund under a trust indenture made October 18, 1999. We hope that Foundation activity makes a difference in the life of every Omega, causing them to consider 'building a bridge' of support for the next generation.

The Omega Foundation solicits and receives contributions for needs and priorities established by the Board of Trustees and prescribed by donors. Its success has been built on the Omega Leadership Fund, a fund-raising campaign launched in 1998 to finance Omega Leadership Workshops and to found new chapters.

Since its establishment, the Omega Delta Foundation has actively advanced the educational mission and goals of Omega Delta toward the vision of the Fraternity. Some believe that the growth of the Foundation will determine the degree of the Fraternity's success in the future.

Foundation enjoying rapid growth: Today, the excitement over refocusing on Omega's principles and values reflected in the Leaders of Men initiative continues to build. Over the years, the number of donors has grown. As a result of increasing alumni involvement and greater gift amounts, record numbers of dollars are received by the Foundation each year. The annual Omega Leadership Fund campaign, combined with the receipt of planned gifts from alumni, collegians and parents of collegiate members, has allowed for meaningful increases in the educational activity that is underwritten by the Foundation.

The future: The Omega Delta Foundation and Omega Delta Fraternity are working together to ensure the best possible fraternity experience for every student who chooses to join the Omega brotherhood. As Omega Delta educational programs and services expand and positively influence members, Omega alumni will become even more generous with the number and size of annual and planned gifts. We hope that Omega Delta Foundation activity makes a difference in the life of every Omega, causing them to consider "building a bridge" of support for the next generation of students intent on becoming scholars, leaders, servants and friends.

A 12-member board of directors governs the Omega Delta Foundation. Its charge is to develop long-range plans, establish and review policies, monitor performance of investment managers, provide a fiduciary responsibility to donors and promote giving opportunities.

Board members serve on committees that are responsible for planning investment and spending strategies, fund raising, donor cultivation and provision of educational grants for chapter housing. The Foundation staff, led by a full-time Foundation director, support these volunteer leaders.

The Omega Delta Foundation provides numerous opportunities for its members, families and volunteers to excel in academics and leadership. Gifts made to the Omega Leadership Fund have allowed for a meaningful increase in the educational activity underwritten by the Foundation.

Omega Foundation Merit Scholarships: Currently, Omega Delta offers merit (academic) scholarships to undergraduate and graduate student members of the Fraternity. The Foundation Merit Scholarship Program offers opportunities to students who need financial assistance to pursue academic achievement, and who excel in certain areas of academics, chapter leadership and campus/community involvement. Applications are made available February 1 of each year, with an application deadline of April 15.

The Institute for Leaders of Men: The Institute is a values-oriented leadership institute that enhances the undergraduate Omega experience. Through reinforcing the Mission and Vision Statements and the Goals of the Men of Principle initiative, attendees gain a better understanding of how to apply the Three Great Principles and the daily life obligations of the Fraternity. Learning the skills necessary to take a chapter to a more meaningful level is the primary purpose of The Institute.

The Omega Wilderness Challenge: The Omega Wilderness Challenge is a seven-day journey in the forests of Wisconsin. Participants learn tangible skills such as backpacking/hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camp craft and mountain navigation. Participants also learn and focus on the Leaders of Men mission, vision and goals. They will learn about Omega principles, leadership, facilitation, communication, trust, listening, and conflict resolution. The experience is physically demanding, however, anyone in reasonable shape can participate. Participants are strongly encouraged to step outside their comfort zones.

Future's Quest: This three-day institute, hosted by the North-American Inter-Fraternity Conference, focuses on leadership and personal development in an outdoor and conference style. No previous leadership experience is necessary; however, participants need to possess a strong desire to learn about themselves, be committed to fraternal values, be active participants through the Quest and be willing to plot a course of action for their undergraduate fraternity experience and beyond.

Recruitment Through Scholarship Grants: The Omega Delta Foundation awarded 60 Recruitment through Scholarship Grants in spring 2004. Throughout the recruitment process, chapters need to develop a method for attracting the most accomplished and well-rounded male students on campus. These scholarships are not awarded to initiated members of Omega Delta, but to potential members. The $500 scholarships may be broken down into as many individual scholarships as the chapter deems appropriate.

The Heritage Fund: The Heritage Fund provides for the maintenance and improvement of the Eagle Hall (the Omega Delta Foundation and Administrative Office) and Office grounds in Chicago, Illinois. This magnificent facility houses the offices of the Foundation, Chapter Operations Department, Communication Department, Finance Department, the Archives and Museum, the Memorial Library and the Seminar Room.

Members felt the need to establish a permanent fund, the Omega Leadership Fund (OLF), to honor the memory of the men who created, interpreted and exemplified the ideals of the Fraternity — thus the OLF was established. Also in this section is the Omega Brick Walkway.

Members felt the need to establish a permanent fund, the Omega Leadership Fund (OLF), to honor the memory of the men who created, interpreted and exemplified the ideals of the Fraternity — thus the Omega Leadership Fund was established.

Why is my gift important? The Omega Delta Leadership Fund is an important source of operational support for Foundation programs which include academic scholarship, leadership training, equipment and staff development. Your gift — no matter what size — does make a difference, and is greatly appreciated.

Benefits of giving: Each brother, friend or family member who makes a gift to the OLF annual giving program has the satisfaction of supporting the Fraternity with a tax-deductible gift and will be listed alongside fellow donors from his chapter in the Annual Report, in print and online.

Is my gift tax deductible? All gifts to the Omega Delta Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The Omega Delta Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Official receipts are issued for tax purposes.

All donations to the Omega Leadership Fund Lifetime Giving Societies are acknowledged and recognized through one of cumulative levels

$100,000 Old Nest Society
$50,000 Platinum Club
$25,000 Silver Club
$10,000 Diamond Club
$2,000 Founders Club
$1,000 Eagle's Circle
$500 Column Builders Club
$100 Omega Club

Memorial Walkway: More than 1,500 Omegas and friends of the Fraternity have purchased a commemorative brick that resides in the garden walkway on the Administrative Office property. Bricks are placed in chapter-specific sections and are engraved with the member's full name, chapter designation, membership roll number and year of graduation. The surface of these special paving bricks measures 4x8 inches, slightly larger than those found in typical construction. Mortaring is not used, so that bricks can be placed in roll number order within each chapter section of the walkway. A brick makes a great graduation, holiday or birthday gift, and may be purchased for you or in memory or honor of another. Your gift is tax deductible.

The goal of $15 million to grow and sustain the Fraternity's educational and leadership programming was announced in July 2003. Learn more about the progress and opportunities available to reinforce Omega ideas: 1) mutual aid and assistance, 2) cultivation of the intellect and 3) confidence and trust. The Campaign is design to fund and permanently endow these principles forever!

Omega Delta's Planned Gift Program honors those who leave a legacy for the future of Omega Delta through specific bequests or other estate gifts. The Foundation invites you to consider leaving a legacy for future members of Omega Delta and to be honored as a member of The Estate, singling you out as one of who has made an exceptional commitment to your great and good Fraternity.

The Society Membership: This Society honors those who leave a legacy for the future of Omega Delta through specific gifts or bequests. Examples of planned gifts to the Foundation include estate bequests, gift annuities, insurance policies, assignment of retirement funds and identification as beneficiary of a variety of charitable trusts.

Language to remember Omega Delta in your will or other estate plans: the Fraternity's legal name is Omega Delta Foundation.

The Heritage Fund provides for the maintenance and improvement of Eagle Hall (the Omega Delta Foundation and Administrative Office).

The Heritage Fund was established in 2003 by the General Convention delegates, who passed a directive that all Omega collegians contribute five dollars per term while they are undergraduates. Proceeds assist with the preservation of the archives, memorial library, Hall of Chapters and Nest Seminar Room. The Heritage Fund also supports the technology and resources necessary to assist all Omega chapters and colonies and living members.

For more information about the Heritage Fund, please contact our National Chapter. The Omega Delta Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The Omega Delta Annual Report covers the past fiscal year for June 1-May 31. The report lists donors of the Fraternity, and highlights the past year's educational resource successes. Included in the report:

• A Word from the Omega Delta Foundation Chairman
• Leadership Opportunities
• Experiential Leadership Sponsors
• Matching Gift Program
• Omega Leadership Fund and Giving Societies
• New Donors
• Parent Support
• Omega Walkway
• Honors and Memorials
• A Campaign for Every Omega update

If you would like a hard copy, please contact our National chapter.

Individuals like you keep the Omega Delta Foundation going. Each year, brothers and friends of the Foundation affirm their commitment to the ideals and goals of the Foundation through gifts to the Annual Fund. Last fiscal year, some 1,000 donors made generous gifts to the Omega Leadership Fund. Without the assistance of our dedicated donors, none of the Foundation programs would be possible.

To make a gift via cash or check: Gifts/pledges may be mailed directly to the Omega Delta Foundation at: 1106 S. Third, Champaign, Illinois 61820

Will my company match my gift? Want to multiply your gift to the Omega Foundation without donating a penny more? In recent years, many employers (companies/ corporations/ foundations) have established plans that provide incentives for their employees to make gifts to certified charitable organizations. Typically, these are referred to as Matching Gift Programs, and almost 350 such programs have been identified. If you don't see your company listed in Omega's Matching Gift Program, we recommend you contact your employer to determine whether a matching gift program exists. The Omega Delta Foundation may be an eligible recipient.

What do I do to contribute? To contribute to a fund, an alumnus or friend of the Fraternity may send a check made payable to the Omega Delta Foundation. All gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

The purpose of the Omega Delta Foundation is to advance the educational Mission and Goals of Omega Delta toward the Vision of the Fraternity. The Foundation strives to offer a variety of opportunities for gift support for the Fraternity's educational activities and to provide much needed resources to chapters and colonies.

The Omega Delta Foundation supports undergraduates and their scholarship and leadership development. The Foundation's funding for scholarship and leadership programs adds to the long term value of the Omega Delta experience. Omega Delta Foundation Director Michael Pensigner supervises the day-to-day administration of the foundation and is assisted by four staff members. The Foundation is governed by a 12-member board which is composed of alumni who volunteer their time on Omega's behalf.

To contact the Foundation, please contact our National Office at:
www.omegadelta.org.