Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation of Canada

What Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation of Canada does

The Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity (Federal Tax ID 13-6093817) that operates as the charitable and educational arm of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, chartered in 1944 and incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. It is headquartered at 8701 Founders Road in Indianapolis, IN, and maintains a parallel Canadian entity (Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation of Canada) with its own board officers but no separate Canadian office. The Foundation distributes scholarships, grants, and educational programs to undergraduate and graduate members of Sigma Alpha Mu, their families, and affiliated Jewish youth organization participants, with over $4 million in cumulative scholarships and grants awarded since 1962 and roughly $317,000 distributed in the 2023-24 academic year alone.

Core programs include the Lawrence D. Schaffer Endowed Scholarship Program (130+ scholarships providing $285,000+ annually through 200+ scholarship funds), the Guller Young Scholars Program ($500 awards for high-GPA initiates), Chapter Educational Funds (CEF) grants up to $500 per chapter, Jewish Endeavors Grants (up to $500 per chapter), the Jacob Kaplan Safe Campus Award ($2,500/$1,500), Alvin Cohn UIFI Grants, and the Andy Dickson Memorial Scholarship ($4,000). The Foundation does not operate proprietary technology beyond a website-based application portal built on the Celect platform (an OrgNexus brand) and donation processing via Paperless Trans and Janney Montgomery Scott brokerage.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable donations across multiple streams: alumni Annual Appeal contributions, Chapter Educational Fund gifts, Golden Bronze Society memberships ($20.23 undergraduate donations), planned/estate gifts recognized through the Ira Lind Society (formed 2003), Jewish Endeavors Initiative gifts, and stock/bond transfers or IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions. A lean four-person staff (CEO Aaron M. Girson, Director of Scholarships & Grants Maria Mandel, Senior Director of Development Amy Buchheit, and Donor Relations/Program Associate Blake Kaplan) supports the operation, governed by a volunteer board of directors with three-year terms. The Foundation's only scale benchmarks disclosed are program outputs, not financial statements.

Name

Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation of Canada

Legal name

Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://sam-fdn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation of Canada is a 501(c)(3) public charity that supports Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity members through scholarships, academic awards, leadership grants, and Jewish campus life programs, funded by alumni donations and charitable gifts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fraternal Educational Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAE

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDADAHAC

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Funding, Grants & Financial Aid Administration

SECONDARYBPAGAKAB

Community Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYEDALAOAB

Fundraising & Annual Giving

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Alumni Relations, Development & Campus Community Engagement

Keywords

• Fraternal scholarships
• Educational grants
• Student financial aid
• Leadership development
• Jewish campus programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Alumni Donations: Annual donations from alumni and friends of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity supporting Foundation operations, scholarships, and leadership grants. Donors recognized in Honor Roll of Donors report.
2. Annual Appeal: Unrestricted gifts used to fund grants for educational programs, support scholarship program, and fund general operations. Contributions may be any amount.
3. Planned Giving / Estate Gifts: The Ira Lind Society recognizes alumni and friends who make estate or planned gifts. Planned gifts support the Foundation's mission. Gifts of $25,000+ may create named endowments.
4. Chapter Educational Fund Contributions: Alumni, parents, and friends create chapter-restricted funds to support scholarships and educational grants for specific chapters.
5. Jewish Endeavors Initiative Gifts: Contributions to support Jewish life on campus, educate students on Jewish matters, and foster understanding of Jewish heritage.
6. Golden Bronze Society Memberships: Undergraduate donations of $20.23 for society membership with benefits including ribbon at Convention and lapel pin.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation of Canada is the charitable and educational arm of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity. It provides undergraduate and graduate scholarships (e.g., Lawrence D. Schaffer Endowed Scholarship Program, Guller Young Scholars, Andy Dickson Memorial Scholarship), chapter and educational grants (Chapter Educational Funds, Jewish Endeavors Grants, UIFI Grants), recognition awards (Jacob Kaplan Safe Campus Award), and donor cultivation programs (Annual Appeal, Golden Bronze Society, Ira Lind Society planned giving) to fraternity members, their families, and chapter organizations.

Product overview

The Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation operates as a unified scholarship and grants platform offering multiple financial aid programs. The core offerings include the Lawrence D. Schaffer Endowed Scholarship Program (130+ scholarships providing $285,000+), the Guller Young Scholars Program ($500 awards for academic excellence), Chapter Educational Funds grants for chapter-specific initiatives, Jewish Endeavors Grants for promoting Jewish campus life, the Jacob Kaplan Safe Campus Award for campus safety programs, Alvin Cohn UIFI Grants for leadership training, and the Andy Dickson Memorial Scholarship for leadership and brotherhood. The Foundation distributes over $500,000 annually in scholarships, awards, and educational grants through its various programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lawrence D. Schaffer Endowed Scholarship Program The Foundation's primary endowed scholarship program with 130+ individual scholarships providing over $285,000 to undergraduate and graduate students of Sigma Alpha Mu, including scholarships for specific majors, chapters, and criteria.
• Guller Young Scholars Program Awards program recognizing new Sigma Alpha Mu initiates who achieve a 3.75/4.0 GPA during their candidate term, providing $500 awards and recognition. Funded by the Sidney & Bobette Guller Family Foundation with $75,000+ distributed.
• Chapter Educational Funds (CEF) Grants Chapter-restricted funds created by alumni and friends for specific chapters to support educational initiatives, leadership development, scholarships, and chapter house improvements. Grants up to $500 per chapter per academic year.
• Jewish Endeavors Grants Grant program providing funding for Sigma Alpha Mu chapters and members to promote Jewish life on campus, educate students on Jewish matters, and foster understanding of Jewish heritage. Maximum grants of $500 per chapter and $250 per individual.
• Jacob Kaplan Safe Campus Award Annual awards of $2,500 (winner) and $1,500 (runner-up) for Sigma Alpha Mu chapters that improve campus safety for women, particularly through sexual assault prevention programming. Created by Jacqueline Jacobs Caster in honor of founder Jacob Kaplan.
• Alvin Cohn UIFI Grants Scholarships funded by Alvin W. Cohn for Sigma Alpha Mu members to attend the Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute (UIFI) leadership program held annually at Indiana University Bloomington in partnership with AFLV.
• Andy Dickson Memorial Scholarship $4,000 scholarship awarded annually to a Sigma Alpha Mu undergraduate who best exemplifies friendship, brotherhood, leadership, and dedication. Created by the family and alumni of Phi chapter.
• Annual Appeal Unrestricted giving program funding grants for educational programs, scholarship support, and general Foundation operations. Contributions may be any amount and benefit over 3,000 students annually.
• Golden Bronze Society Undergraduate recognition society offering membership with a $20.23 donation, including a ribbon at Convention, lapel pin, and Chapter Leader's Day/national/regional event access. A $250 donation adds personalized Supreme Prior's Club paperweight and lapel pin.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chabad (Campus Chabad organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Jewish Endeavors Initiative partnership for Shabbat dinners, Seders, and Jewish programming. Multiple chapters partner with local Chabad including Sigma Theta/Texas (Shammy Shabbat), Rho/Illinois, Mu Psi/Miami OH, and others for Jewish life programming.
• Hillel (Campus Hillel organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Jewish Endeavors Initiative partnership for Jewish programming including Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and Israel Block Parties. Sigma Eta/Purdue (Bagel Breaks), Sigma Theta/Texas (Israel Block Party), Beta Iota/Wisconsin (Hillel Centennial), and other chapters partner with Hillel.
• Peaceful PathsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local domestic violence prevention group partnering with Gamma Tau/Florida for sexual assault awareness education with Greek organizations.
• TAMID (student organization)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Jewish professional development organization. Epsilon Xi/Emory and Beta Iota/Wisconsin received Jewish Endeavors grants to support TAMID group activities.
• Interfraternity Council (IFC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Rho/Illinois partnered with IFC to coordinate campus-wide Greek attendance for sexual assault awareness speaker, requiring minimum 5 members from each Greek organization.
• Chabad (National)Strategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025National Chabad organization; Foundation article links to Chabad.org news article about Jewish collegians program supported by Jewish Endeavors Grants.
• AFLV (Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to offer UIFI (Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute) scholarships for Sigma Alpha Mu members to attend leadership training at Indiana University Bloomington. Program funded by donation from past Supreme Prior and Foundation Director Alvin W. Cohn (Cincinnati/Omicron '53).
• Sigma Delta Tau SororityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Chapter Leaders Days programming for the past 3 years, combining leadership education and skills training for both Greek organizations.
• Peace Over ViolenceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Local nonprofit supporting women and educating on domestic abuse signs. Mu Theta/USC created safe space event with this organization.
• A Path to CourageminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sexual assault survivor support organization. Mu Theta/USC became involved with this group following Peace Over Violence partnership.
• Paperless TransminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Secure online donation processing platform for credit card contributions at secure.paperlesstrans.com/SigmaAlpha.
• Janney Montgomery Scott LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Brokerage firm for stock/bond donations to the Foundation. Contact: Brad Kastan (614) 502-7246, DTC#0374, Account# 4522-7762.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Phi Delta Theta Foundation: Foundation supporting Phi Delta Theta Fraternity through scholarships, leadership training, and educational grants. Directly comparable in mission, donor base structure (fraternity alumni), and programmatic focus on undergraduate leadership and academic recognition.
• Sigma Chi Foundation: Charitable and educational arm of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity. Provides scholarships, leadership programming, and chapter grants to Sigma Chi members; operates under nearly identical structure to SAM Foundation as a fraternity-affiliated 501(c)(3).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation: Charitable foundation of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity providing undergraduate scholarships, leadership training, and chapter educational grants. Comparable in scope and revenue model (alumni Annual Fund, planned giving, endowed scholarships).
• ZBT Foundation (Zeta Beta Tau): Charitable arm of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, another historically Jewish fraternity. Comparable in mission to support Jewish heritage, provide scholarships to members, and fund leadership development programs.
• Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation: Educational foundation supporting Delta Tau Delta Fraternity through endowed scholarships and leadership development grants. Highly comparable in structure, scale, and programming mix.
• Kappa Alpha Order Foundation: Foundation supporting Kappa Alpha Order through scholarships, leadership programs, and educational grants. Direct comparable as a single-fraternity-affiliated 501(c)(3) with similar scholarship award ranges and chapter funding programs.
• Sigma Nu Foundation: Educational foundation of Sigma Nu Fraternity providing scholarships, leadership awards, and chapter grants. Direct peer in operating model as a fraternity-affiliated scholarship and educational programming foundation.
• Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation: Foundation serving Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish-interest social fraternity. Strong peer due to overlapping Jewish heritage programming, similar alumni donor demographic, and parallel scholarship/grantmaking structure to SAM Foundation's Jewish Endeavors Initiative.

Others

• Hillel International: Largest Jewish campus organization; partners with the Foundation on Jewish Endeavors programming. Relevant peer as a major Jewish campus philanthropic organization with overlapping student and donor audiences.
• AFLV (Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values): Industry-level association supporting fraternity/sorority leadership education. Peer-relevant as a partner/ecosystem enabler for the Foundation's UIFI grants and Chapter Leaders Days programming rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/samfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/samfdn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles29 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation of Canada