In the interest of never having a deserving college student decline an invitation to join Omicron Delta Kappa because of cost, the Gift of Membership Grants support the underwriting of the National Lifetime Membership Fee for collegiate members who are Pell-eligible or who have other significant financial constraints. Through the provision of membership in O∆K, these collegiate members will have access to other programs, including scholarships, leadership development programs, and career resources. These are fee waivers managed by the National Headquarters.
Gift of Membership requests must be submitted AND approved before the Certificate Order is submitted by the circle. Any request submitted after the certificate order has been finalized will not be considered.
Each circle has access to up to two (2) grants per year. Dr. Tara S. Singer Grants are available to any prospective member with financial need. If the student is a member of a historically underrepresented and marginalized ethnic population, they qualify for a Key Fund Grant. Advisors should provide these details on the request form. A circle may request two Singer Grants, two Key Fund Grants, or one of each.
Due to the overwhelming generosity of our members, we continue to have significant funds for Gifts of Membership Grants and can provide 200 Singer Grants and 75 Key Fund Grants this year.
Gift of Membership Grant Request Form (Circle Advisors Only)
Gift of Membership Grant Details
What is covered?
Each grant covers the $94 National Lifetime Membership Fee. We no longer offer partial grants.
If the circle requires members to pay local dues, a gift recipient is still responsible for those dues unless the circle determines otherwise.
Request Process
To receive a Gift of Membership Grant, a circle advisor must submit the Gift of Membership Request Form. The form requires general information about the student and a short description of the financial need. This does not need to be overly detailed or offer financial information that may be confidential. The review team wants to know if the student is receiving financial aid and/or has a financial hardship such as loss of primary income source, etc.
The process does not require the applicant to submit an essay or documentation. A conversation or email exchange between the advisor and applicant regarding the financial need is sufficient grounds for the request.
Candidate Membership Application
Advisors may not submit a Gift of Membership request until they have confirmed that the student submitted an application in MyODK. If the form is submitted without a corresponding application in MyODK, the gift request will not be considered.
Deadlines
In order for the request to be processed in time to meet the certificate submission, the circle advisor must submit the request no later than three business days before the submission of the certificate order.
Gift requests submitted after a certificate order has been processed will not be considered.
Notification
The submitting advisor and the gift recipient will receive notification of the decision within two (2) business days.
Questions?
Jamie Bouldin, Director for Membership Services (jamie@odk.org), manages Gift of Membership Grant processes.
