The Bow of Pi Beta Phi - Winter 2023

T he

Bow

Winter 2023

The official publication for donors and friends of Pi Beta Phi Foundation

A Message from Leadership

Through her lens as a corporate finance executive, Pi Beta Phi Foundation Board of Trustees Vice President Finance DONNA BUTTERWORTH, Virginia Eta, knows the value of creating more opportunities for women to lead—and why support for our Foundation is so pivotal to Pi Phi’s role in this work. WHY DO YOU STAY ENGAGED WITH PI PHI AS A VOLUNTEER LEADER? Pi Phi uses my strengths while building skills in areas where I’m less experienced—and I love the opportunities I’m given to lead. Through committee work, I’ve managed teams, resolved issues and set strategic priorities in ways that differ from how I do things professionally. In many ways, I feel volunteering as an alumna has provided an even more enriching and meaningful experience than collegiate years. WHAT FILLS YOU WITH PI PHI PRIDE? We’re proactively working to navigate a difficult environment, including decreases in college enrollment, the rising costs of higher education and the challenges fraternities and sororities are facing on campuses. The changing landscape will impact our sisterhood—we’re the sum of our members, and our members have varied experiences and perspectives. We’re moving forward in a thoughtful, measured, inclusive way—and though getting it right can be hard, we’re continuing to try. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SUPPORT TO OUR FOUNDATION? Providing leadership opportunities for women is the theme that runs through my philanthropic and volunteer support—for me, that’s the key! We need the skills and perspectives of more women leaders to bridge the divides in our world. Pi Phi is creating change by giving women scholarships and hands-on leadership experiences. Our members are able to earn the degrees and accreditations they need—and have a safe space to test their leadership capabilities, so they can demonstrate those skills once in a professional career. As a Trustee, I’ve heard from scholarship recipients whose award allowed them to stay in school. I’ve talked to Leadership Institute participants and facilitators who say it’s a life changing experience. I wish everyone could see firsthand the personal impact their gifts have on our members. WHAT ARE YOUR PHILANTHROPIC PASSIONS WITHIN PI PHI? I’m passionate about giving to the Friendship Fund because it enables all the work of our Foundation. As Trustees, we’re mindful that we’re using dollars as donors have designated, and the Friendship Fund gives us the flexibility to use resources where our Foundation and Pi Phi need them the most. If you want to see our sisterhood grow and thrive, a gift to the Friendship Fund is most impactful. HOW DO GIFTS TO OUR FOUNDATION CREATE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR PI PHI — AND WHAT COULD BE POSSIBLE WITH EVEN MORE SUPPORT? Right now, our Foundation can only fulfill a percentage of the Fraternity’s requests for financial support to our programmatic areas and what’s needed to build leaders at the alumnae and collegiate levels. But imagine if we could provide full support for every programmatic area! What if every member made a gift to our Foundation, of any amount? What if we could host hands-on leadership training for all volunteers? What if we could award 200 scholarships each year, or even 500? That’s the vision of our Foundation—to touch the lives of so many more sisters through the power of giving.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Walking the Pi Phi Path Together | Pi Phi Giving Day | Points of Interest