Through Omicron Delta Kappa’s current signature programs, the work of the circles on the individual member campuses is supported. Also, the ongoing development of the collegiate leaders of today is enhanced through these signature programs. By creating a fund to underwrite these programs, O∆K will keep membership dues affordable while providing quality learning opportunities. The Developing the Campus Leaders of Today Fund supports the following:
• The annual National Leadership Conference, including funding for circle participation and support for presentations from nationally recognized speakers; and
• Grants to circles to facilitate circle programming.
Also, this fund covers the cost of establishing new circles so that a wide range of institutions can bring O∆K to campus to support college and university efforts to strengthen collaborative collegiate leadership. In addition, this fund helps these schools offer their deserving students recognition on the campus and national level and provide direct program funds for these circles in their first several years of operation.
A total of $650,000 is sought in support of O∆K’s current signature programs. Individuals wishing to support the National Leadership Conference may fund speakers, general operations, and collegiate member travel funds with outright contributions of $5,000 to $25,000 or endowment contributions of $10,000 to $100,000.
General circle grants may be funded with minimum outright gifts of $5,000 (for ten one-time $500 grants) or endowment donations of $10,000 (for one $500 grant per year in perpetuity). A number of circles have mini-campaigns underway to establish circle grant funds. Donors may also help expand the grant opportunities provided by the Maurice A. Clay Leadership Development Initiative. This program offers small grants of up to $500 to individual circles to enhance leadership development on their campuses. At present, the fund supports 16 circles a year. O∆K intends to increase the number of circle awards to 26 a year (ten grants in addition to the current 16 awards).
Venture Fund dollars are needed to support the establishment of new circles. A gift of $2,500 may be used to underwrite the cost of founding a new circle. An endowment of $50,000 is required to support the establishment of one new circle per year. An outright gift of $25,000 supports the establishment of ten circles, and an endowment gift of $250,000 supports the chartering of five new circles per year in perpetuity.
Funds may be named for individuals or organizations as appropriate. Travel funds, circle grants, and venture funds to support new circles may be designated for specific circles or a geographic region of the country. To learn about the related programs funded to date, click here.
Summary of Giving Opportunities
- NLC speaker support (outright) – $5,000 to $25,000
- Collegiate member NLC travel funds (outright) – $5,000 to $10,000
- NLC speaker support (endowment) – $25,000 (providing up to $1,250 per year); $50,000 (providing up to $2,500 per year); $100,000 (providing up to $5,000 per year)
- Collegiate member NLC travel funds (endowment) – $10,000 (providing one $500 travel grant per year)
- Circle grants (outright) – $5,000 (for ten one-time $500 grants)
- Circle grants (endowed) – $10,000 (for one $500 grant in perpetuity)
- Venture Funds (outright) – $2,500 (to establish one new circle); $25,000 (to establish ten new circles)
- Venture Funds (endowment) – $250,000 (to establish five new circles per year)
