We have a very exciting announcement to share about a collaboration that is certainly a win-win-win! We are pleased to inform you that we are now part of a brand new tax-deductible “Foundation to Foundation Matching Grant Program” partnership between our PSI chapter, the Phi Kappa Sigma Education Fund, Inc. (PKS Ed Fund) and the Society for the Preservation of the Greek Housing (SPGH*). The PKS Ed Fund has supplied well over a 1 Million dollars in scholarships and other needed assistance to our Fraternity over the past 20 years. SPGH’s main goal is to help preserve the historical and architecture of historical Fraternity and Sorority houses. The SPGH Foundation has awarded over $34 Million in grants to date for preservation and renovation of Greek chapter houses since 1982.
We all have our personal memories of our time spent living at 234 E. Beaver Ave. Many life-long friendships started there – a common thread among us, along with OUR HOUSE. A constant stream of new members keeps Phi Kap a strong and respected part of the Penn State fraternity and college experience, while a well-maintained house creates a welcome, vital and appealing place that attracts new members and makes the actives
and alums proud. That said, OUR HOUSE is nearing 100 years old and, as is common with older homes, is in constant need of upkeep and repair.
Since 2010, some of the improvements that have been completed include:
- 3rd Floor Hallway and Renovated Pledge Room
- New Bathroom Sinks
- New Oak Hardwood Floors throughout First Floor
- New Lighting, Wall and Ceiling Fixtures throughout First Floor
- Repaired Exterior Stucco and Wood Trim
- Installed New Internet Capability
- Improved Exterior Landscaping and Parking Lot
- Replaced All Windows on First Floor with Energy Efficient Glass
Remaining planned renovations include the kitchen area, bathrooms and party room. Our goal is to raise around $350,000 over the next one, two or three years to cover those costs and other renovations.
Here is how the process will work in order for us to take advantage of the PKS ED Fund’s pilot matching gift program.
You would send your donation directly to Russell Hatton, 940 Kilduff Circle, West Chester, PA 19382, write Phi Kappa Sigma Penn State on the memo line. Please also provide your name, address and phone number.
Make the check out to PHI KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FUND. Russ will then forward the checks to PKS ED FUND at PO Box 508, Chestertown, MD 21620. Once these Psi Chapter noted gifts reach a total $10,000, the PKS ED FUND will MATCH this amount and cut a check for $20,000 to SPGH (via Foundation to Foundation giving). SPGH will then use the funds for the approved project grants for approved PSI chapter house renovations. This is a great way for all Psi Chapter Brothers to double up year-end giving to help our house. Again, ALL contributions are tax-deductible and you will receive a confirmation letter from the PKS ED Fund for your records.
*The Society was formed to aid in the preservation of historically and architecturally significant Greek houses, to work to have additional houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to fund historical research/writing projects, ad to conduct educational open houses and seminars to educate the public about these Greek-affiliated structures.
To aid in the preservation and rehabilitation of chapter houses, the Society will provide grants for:
- Health and safety code requirements that do not result in the loss of character
- Mayor structural rehabilitation or restoration
- Exterior rehabilitation or restoration
- Interior rehabilitation or restoration
- All donations made to the Society may be deducted as provided in Section 170 0f the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Direct gifts of appreciated securities, beneficiary designations under wills and/or living trusts, and other similar gifts are welcome and offer other ways to make a tax-deductible donation towards the House’s future. Bequests, legacies, devises, transfers, or gifts to the Society are deductible for Federal estate and gift tax purposes if they meet the applicable provisions of sections 2055, 2106, and 2522 of the Code. Contact Russ Hatton (484)888-1397 for more information on alternative giving.
