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55-424: The fraternity provides various social, academic, leadership, and community service opportunities for collegiate members and alumnae. Throughout the organization's history, it has sponsored charities and causes via grants, scholarships, and volunteer hours. Its current philanthropic initiative is a fight against hunger partnered with the nonprofit organizations Feeding America and Meals on Wheels . Alpha Gamma Delta

110-576: A 2.9 average GPA to remain in good standing with the national organization. The fraternity has scholastic recognition and programs for individuals who maintain a GPA above 3.14 and for chapters averaging from 3.14 to 3.5 and higher. Alpha Gamma Delta created an annual internal celebration called International Reunion Day in 1936, as many of its collegiate chapters could not celebrate the organization's Founder's Day on May 30 due to university vacation closures or final exams held on that day. Collegiate and alumnae chapters were—and still are—encouraged to meet on

165-702: A black classmate a membership offer due to her race. The chapter was temporarily suspended and received racial sensitivity training. After this incident, the university Interfraternity Conference created a diversity improvement program. In 2013 and 2014, sorority women from multiple chapters at the University of Alabama – including Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi , Phi Mu , Kappa Delta , Pi Beta Phi , Delta Delta Delta , and Chi Omega – alleged that either active members or some alumnae had prevented them from offering membership to black candidates because of their race. Alpha Gamma Delta member Melanie Gotz stated that

220-600: A chased Gamma ( Γ ), and an Alpha ( Α ) set with pearls [the official jewel] or diamonds superimposed on the other two letters". Members may attach one of several honors chains to their badges if they have received the appropriate honor. Alpha Gamma Delta participates in philanthropy through donations made through a separate arm, the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation. Created in 1962, the Foundation provides grants to organizations and individuals in

275-730: A cure. Breakthrough T1D has advocated for various kinds of research; in a 2004 article in The Wall Street Journal , the authors observed that the Breakthrough T1D "... has become adept at unleashing an army of hard-to-resist lobbyists – made up of determined parents and their afflicted children – on researchers, politicians and potential donors." Breakthrough T1D has been supporting the "Special Diabetes Program" (SDP) for 25 years. The program, which receives over $ 150 million in federal funding per year, provides resources and support for T1D research in cooperation with

330-500: A grocery store garbage dumpster. She told him that the food quality was fine, but that there should be a place where unwanted food could be deposited and later withdrawn by people who needed it, like a bank. Van Hengel began to actively solicit unwanted food from grocery stores, local gardens, and nearby citrus groves. His effort led to the creation of St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix, the nation's first food bank. In 1975, St. Mary's

385-692: A national property management and funding option; in 2021, circa 100 out of 125 active chapters are managed under this corporation. The fraternity partnered with Feeding America and Meals on Wheels in 2017 and now focuses its community service and fundraising initiatives towards fighting hunger . Alpha Gamma Delta gives back to the community through community service efforts. In 2016, they launched their first International Week of Service where members from all over North America participate in local community service initiatives. Members volunteer their time at humane societies, retirement communities, local clean-up services, and many more. By volunteering together during

440-871: A nearby collegiate chapter. In 1982, the fraternity launched an annual leadership program, The Leadership Conference, to provide its members with leadership education. However, after continual requests for the program to speak at conferences, present at events, or run corporate retreats, this program branched into an organization of its own, the Leadership Institute, which now runs around 60 programs to address women's leadership, both inside and outside of workplaces and careers. Today, Alpha Gam hosts an annual Academy for Collegiate Officers and biannual Academies for Chapter Officers and its Volunteer Service Team. Alpha Gamma Delta has 199 collegiate chapters across North America; these are grouped and named by geographical region. The longest-running active collegiate chapter

495-627: Is Delta chapter at the University of Minnesota. Since its re-establishment in 2010, the oldest active collegiate chapter is the Alpha chapter at Syracuse University. The Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) is a 501(c)(7) organization formed in 2010 to provide student housing for the fraternity's undergraduate members. Currently, the FHC provides property management services to about 100 collegiate chapters and about 100 staff members in

550-584: Is a type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization. Breakthrough T1D funds research for the development of new therapies and treatments for type 1 diabetes. The organization advocates for federal research funding toward new technologies and treatments and works with regulatory and policy officials to disburse funds. Breakthrough T1D also has partnerships with academia, industry, and clinicians to accelerate research into potential cures for T1D. The organization has been described as "the leading global organization funding T1D research". Breakthrough T1D

605-525: Is allocated based on the need, and then individual banks bid on which foods they want the most, based on local knowledge and ability to transport and store the food offered. Negative prices are possible, so banks could earn shares by picking up undesirable food. The previous centrally planned system had penalized banks for refusing any food offered, even if it was the wrong type to meet their needs, and this resulted in misallocations ("sending potatoes to Idaho"), food rotted away in places that did not need it, and

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660-620: Is available at the Feeding America web site. Food banks in the network include: Feeding America receives financial and in-kind support from a wide variety of corporations, non-profit organizations, and individual donors, including in the form of direct food donations and advocacy support. Top providers of grocery products include 7-Eleven , Amazon , Costco , CVS Health , General Mills , Kraft Heinz , Sam's Club , Target Corporation , Trader Joe's , and Walmart . Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)

715-451: Is caring for children with T1D, sending children back to school safely, pregnancy and T1D, living with T1D as an adult, college life and T1D, and support groups. Breakthrough T1D also arranges community engagement which allows newly diagnosed families to connect with other T1D families for mutual support. Breakthrough T1D provides care packs containing resources and support for children, teens, and adults with T1D. One well-known care pack

770-555: Is one of 26 North American fraternities that are members of the National Panhellenic Conference . The fraternity's international headquarters is located in Indianapolis , Indiana. In 1904, efforts to introduce a new women's fraternity at Syracuse University began from eleven women and Dr. Wellesley Perry Coddington, a professor at the university who encouraged his students to form new fraternities and

825-639: Is titled "Full Plates. Hearts. Minds", provides meals for hungry people and creates awareness of food insecurity . Collegiate and alumnae members participate in fundraising activities for the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation and volunteer with and raise funds for food-based organizations in local communities, including Feeding America and Meals on Wheels. Chapters plan their local events, which include fundraisers and galas. Chapters also plan social events such as formals and mixers with fraternities, host sisterhood activities, and reunions, and participate in charity-related events. As for academics, each chapter must maintain

880-420: Is to "Inspire the woman. Impact the world", while its motto is to "Loving, Leading, Lasting" In 1915, Gamma chapter at Wesleyan University chose the mascot, a squirrel, and named it Skiouros, with the following explanation: "...[S]ome [members] sought a mascot to symbolize the characteristics of the colors and progress of Alpha Gamma Delta ... the little squirrel, a typical frequenter of autumn haunts,

935-428: Is to ensure people have the freedom to choose treatment strategies that are appropriate for them, and to cover artificial pancreas/automated insulin delivery systems. In response to escalating insulin affordability issues, Breakthrough T1D partnered with nonprofit drug maker Civica to manufacture insulin that will cost $ 30 a vial, regardless of a patient's insurance provider. Civica insulin is expected to be available to

990-517: The University of Washington . The fraternity's first National Conference was held in 1907, and two years later it joined the National Panhellenic Conference . Alpha Gamma Delta began international expansion in 1919 with the chartering of its Tau chapter at the University of Toronto . The fraternity held its annual meeting at the International Convention and adopted an international philanthropy project. The 1910s and 1920s saw

1045-543: The 1960s, the organization underwent restructuring, in which it created a separate branch to manage its philanthropic sponsorships and run programs for its members. A separate foundation, originally called the Founders Memorial Foundation, was established in 1962 to handle fundraising; it was later renamed the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation. This Foundation managed the funds raised by collegiate and alumnae chapters via activities and by direct donations to

1100-597: The 1980s, Breakthrough T1D began funding basic research into disease-modifying therapies which can slow, halt, or reverse the progression of a disease. Breakthrough T1D continued research and strategic investments of this kind for decades. In 2019, Breakthrough T1D, in partnership with the NIH , funded a clinical trial that led to the 2022 FDA approval of teplizumab (Tzield), the first disease-modifying therapy for T1D. In 2023, Breakthrough T1D raised $ 224 million; of this, 78% went toward programs including research funding, 15%

1155-527: The 20th century, Alpha Gamma Delta established fraternity provinces organized by geographic region; these have directors who lead each province and represent them to the International Headquarters. Individual collegiate chapters follow a standardized leadership structure; they have an elected executive board consisting of a president and several vice presidents with different responsibilities. Alumnae often act as advisors or volunteers for

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1210-486: The Artificial Pancreas Consortium, allocating $ 6 million in grants to investigate the benefits of technology controlling blood-glucose levels to accelerate the availability of the artificial pancreas (AP). AP systems integrate three components—a CGM, an insulin pump, and an algorithm— to measure blood sugar, then calculate and administer, or withhold, insulin with minimal user input. In 2016,

1265-463: The FDA approved the first hybrid closed-loop, or AP, system. In 2008, Breakthrough T1D funded a clinical trial that demonstrated the efficacy of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in helping to manage blood sugar, with lower HbA1c levels and reduced rates of severe hypoglycemia. The research confirmed substantial benefits for T1D patients, leading to insurance coverage of CGMs and more widespread use. In

1320-491: The FDA made it a priority to clarify the requirements for approval for such a closed-loop monitoring and drug delivery device for T1D, and announced it was preparing draft guidelines. Breakthrough T1D launched a campaign to influence those guidelines to be lenient. After the first closed-loop device was approved in 2016, Breakthrough T1D lobbied insurance companies to cover it. The campaign also put resources into educating people with diabetes on how to navigate health insurance in

1375-482: The Greek traditions cited by similar collegiate social groups. Many other Greek-letter organizations for women also refer to themselves as fraternities, although in the collective sense, they are generally called sororities. Alpha Gamma Delta expanded to an unusual extent during its early years; its Beta chapter was founded at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1905 and by 1909, its 9th chapter— Iota —was founded at

1430-784: The Heart would be donated to Feeding America, in perpetuity. There has been a rise in the numbers suffering from hunger since the financial crisis of 2007–2008 . In 2013, the USDA reported that about 49 million U.S. Americans faced poor nutrition, about one in six of the population. In September, they launched Hunger Action Month , with events planned all over the nation, to raise awareness and get more U.S. Americans involved in helping out. In 2015, Feeding America saved more than 2 billion pounds (~907 thousand metric tons ) of food that would have been thrown away otherwise, but could instead be distributed to hungry families. In 2018,

1485-626: The NIH. Breakthrough T1D works with the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus to advocate for continued funding of the program, which also benefits Breakthrough T1D's research efforts. In response to rising insulin costs and research showing that many people with diabetes are skipping or rationing their insulin, Breakthrough T1D has advocated for insurance companies to provide better health coverage for those living with type 1 diabetes, including making out-of-pocket costs for insulin and other vital diabetes tools more predictable and reasonable. The aim of this advocacy

1540-614: The National Society for Crippled Children and Adults. That year, the fraternity held its first International Convention outside the United States, in Banff, Alberta . By 1949, the fraternity had installed 60 chapters and had initiated 20,840 members. In 1959, at the organization's 22nd International Convention, Theta Sigma Upsilon merged with Alpha Gamma Delta and added 19 chapters to the latter's roster. During and after

1595-517: The President of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the number of people increased by 36% at the height of the pandemic and had not yet decreased until autumn of 2021. Feeding America created the MealConnect platform in 2014, which helps food donors like grocery stores, restaurants, and caterers to connect with local food banks and pantries. The platform helps to reduce food waste and increase

1650-414: The U.S. and Canada who are involved in fields related to certain causes. The Foundation currently and historically awards scholarships and grants, funds wellness programs, and provides leadership training and other courses. Since 2017, the fraternity's philanthropic objective has been to fight hunger, and it currently works with Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America. As of 2018, its campaign, which

1705-500: The USDA announced that food insecurity had been steadily declining since the 2009 recession ended. In 2020, Feeding America said that there were about 11 million children suffering from hunger in the United States. Children, along with families and seniors having trouble making ends meet, were suffering the most. The COVID-19 pandemic increased hunger levels and the number of people in need of food banks. According to Patti Habeck,

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1760-915: The United States , and into lobbying Congress to continue funding diabetes research through the NIH. The FDA lobbying campaign was part of a gradual realignment of the organization to focus on issues other than helping find a cure for type 1 diabetes, but to help treat and manage the disease. This broadened scope meant that the organization increasingly directed its funds to education and advocacy, along with research funding. This included lobbying insurance companies to pay for CGM devices, educating patients on how to advocate for themselves, and lobbying Congress for more NIH funding. Breakthrough T1D offers education and resources, in both English and Spanish, for people of all living with T1D. Some of those who receive support are parents who care for children with T1D, children attending school with T1D, pregnant women with T1D, college students with T1D, and adults with T1D. whether it

1815-529: The Week of Service, they can impact their communities. While Alpha Gamma Delta has no official symbols, it has official flowers, colors, and a jewel chosen by the founders. Alpha Gamma Delta's flowers are red and buff roses, and green asparagus plusmosa ferns , matching the official colors red, buff, and green. The jewel is the pearl. The armorial bearings of the fraternity were designed by founding member Emily Helen Butterfield in 1906. The fraternity's vision

1870-420: The beginning of the fraternity centralizing its philanthropic objectives toward single causes. Instead of hosting its sixth annual National Convention, the fraternity's national president canceled the meeting and asked chapters to donate their $ 50 fees to war relief efforts. Many chapters adopted war orphans or made garments, beginning the fraternity's timeline of organized charitable activity. During World War I ,

1925-567: The chapter's requirement. Alternatively, women past college age may be invited or may apply to join via alumnae initiation if they are not already a member of another NPC sorority, a process which 20 of the 26 NPC members also participate in. Due to NPC agreements, no woman who has been initiated into another NPC sorority may join another one, although no NPC member is restricted from joining a professional or service Greek letter organization . Collegiate members have chapter meetings, philanthropy events, and chapter leadership opportunities; according to

1980-657: The efficiency of food donations. In June 2020, Feeding America expanded MealConnect's operations nationwide. Bob Aiken was its first CEO. Vicki Escarra was President & CEO from 2006-2012. Matt Knott was its interim-CEO in 2015. On October 1, 2015, Diana Aviv became its second CEO. On October 1, 2018, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot became its CEO. Feeding America works to educate the general public and keep them informed about hunger in America. The national office produces educational and research papers that spotlight aspects of hunger and provides information on hunger, poverty and

2035-497: The entire collegiate chapter had "wanted this girl to be in Alpha Gam [but] were just powerless over the alums." An alum denied the allegations in the report, and the national headquarters issued a statement saying that the sorority "prohibits discrimination based on race in all of its activities including recruitment." Gotz and fellow students held a campus march to integrate campus Greek life, and following media and national outcry,

2090-677: The foundation. In 1979, the fraternity partnered with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and again changed its primary philanthropic focus, which would later expand in 1991 to diabetes treatment and research. Alpha Gamma Delta celebrated its centennial anniversary during its 2004 International Convention. In the 2010s, Alpha Gamma Delta continued to change and restructure, creating a separate branch to manage its collegiate housing and again changing its service and philanthropy programs. The fraternity founded its Fraternity Housing Corporation in 2010 to provide local chapters with

2145-647: The fraternity supported the American Red Cross and various war relief efforts. This service continued during World War II . In 1920, the fraternity created its first official philanthropy by starting a summer camp for underprivileged children in Jackson, Michigan , which expanded into Wellington, Canada. These camps hosted more than 7,000 children and ran for 27 years. In 1947, Alpha Gamma Delta's primary philanthropic activities shifted from volunteering with underprivileged children to sponsoring counselors for

2200-607: The fraternity's website, active membership involves programming with the Epsilon Pi Journey. Alumnae in good standing may join one of 250+ alumnae clubs in North America. International Headquarters is the governing body for all members—undergraduate, and alumnae—and is headed by an International President. The International Headquarters calls an annual meeting of chapter presidents and any alumnae or collegiate members who wish to attend. As chapters expanded early in

2255-464: The headquarters office and local US chapters. Outside of housing, the FHC manages meal services for the members of the fraternity. It reported assets of US$ 78 million in 2019. In 1970, at Eastern Illinois University , Donna Bedlinger died from head trauma after she was left in the woods with other pledges as part of hazing. In 2000, a member at the University of Georgia filed a discrimination complaint against her chapter, alleging that members denied

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2310-523: The largest U.S. charity by revenue. Feeding America was known as America's Second Harvest until August 31, 2008. In the mid-1960s, during rehabilitation in Phoenix, Arizona , after a paralyzing injury, John van Hengel began volunteering at a local soup kitchen . He solicited food donations and ended up with far more food than the kitchen could use. Around this time, one of the clients told him that she regularly fed her children with discarded items from

2365-657: The programs that serve vulnerable Americans. Feeding America's public policy staff works with legislators, conducting research, testifying at hearings and advocating for changes in public attitudes and laws that support Feeding America's network and those the organization serves. In 2017, Feeding America announced a plan to increase the nutritional value of food from food banks. By 2023, the group plans to offer more fruits and vegetables, and provide training so they can distribute more produce, whole grains and lean proteins. There are more than 200 Feeding America food banks, each of which works in its own area. A complete and current list

2420-464: The public in 2025. Breakthrough T1D also advocates for passage of the INSULIN Act, which caps cost-sharing under private health insurance for a month's supply of selected insulin products at $ 35 or 25% of a plan's negotiated price (after any price concessions), whichever is less, beginning in 2025. Breakthrough T1D holds a biennial Children’s Congress, where over 150 children from the U.S. and

2475-536: The third Saturday of April instead. According to Alpha Gamma Delta, the fraternity has an initiated member base of over 201,000 and 119 active chapters. As with all National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, women may join Alpha Gamma Delta if they attend as an undergraduate a university with an active chapter from which they receive a membership offer. Prospective members must meet the fraternity's national minimum GPA requirement (2.5/4.0) as well as

2530-409: The time, Alpha Gamma Delta was founded as a US-wide women's fraternity rather than a local fraternity or a literary or professional society , also refusing an offer to join one of the other two US-wide women's fraternities on campus. The organization's official designation as a fraternity rather than a sorority derives from an early advisor who noted that soror is a Latin word with no connection to

2585-472: The university held a second round of recruitment to offer membership to more women, including black women. The Alabama chapter initiated its first black member that year. Feeding America Feeding America is a United States–based non-profit organization that is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies. Forbes ranks it as

2640-411: The world between the ages of 4 and 17 meet with key decision-makers to share their experiences of life with T1D and raise awareness about the condition. Breakthrough T1D’s Government Day is an annual event where volunteer advocates tell their stories to illustrate the financial, medical, and emotional costs of type 1 diabetes to national leaders in the U.S. and help develop policy responses. In 2011,

2695-481: The wrong types of food being delivered (e.g. not matching hot dogs with hot dog buns). In May 2007, it was featured on American Idol , named as a charity in the Idol Gives Back charity program. In September 2008, the organization name was changed from America's Second Harvest to Feeding America. In August 2009, Columbia Records announced that all U.S. royalties from Bob Dylan 's album Christmas in

2750-442: Was awarded a federal grant to assist in developing food banks across the nation. This effort was formally incorporated into a separate non-profit organization in 1976. In 2001, America's Second Harvest merged with Foodchain, which was the nation's largest food-rescue organization at that time. In 2005, Feeding America began using an internal market with a synthetic currency called "shares" to more rationally allocate food. Currency

2805-461: Was chosen as the mascot. Our little friend, we find, is also nimble and agile—he leaps from branch to branch and [symbolizes] the spirit that never dies, the spirit of energetic alertness and progress." The fraternity's founders designed a badge; they decided on a new design submitted by Mr. J. F. Newman, a jeweler, in the following months: "The second, and current, badge features a plain Delta ( Δ ),

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2860-507: Was founded in 1970 by a group of parents of children living with type 1 diabetes. The founding members formed the organization with the intent to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications by supporting research. It adopted what was at the time a novel organizational structure, where non-experts participated in developing research and advocacy policies. The creation of international affiliates followed: In 2012, JDF changed its name to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation , which

2915-454: Was instrumental in the early development of Alpha Gamma Delta. In May of that year, the founding women chose the fraternity's colors, motto, and badge. Alpha Gamma Delta was officially founded on May 30, 1904, at Dr. Coddington's home with eleven founders: At the founding, its constitution and bylaws were read and adopted and suggestions for a ritual were made. Jennie Titus was elected as the first president. Unlike many other groups founded at

2970-845: Was later shortened to JDRF . In 2019, JDRF International appointed its first-ever CEO and President with Type 1 Diabetes, Dr. Aaron Kowalski. In 2024, the organization changed its name from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, reflecting its focus on helping people of all ages and in line with growing awareness that T1D affects people of all ages. Breakthrough T1D was founded to support and accelerate breakthroughs in medical science to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. These goals are pursued both through scientific research and public advocacy campaigns. Breakthrough T1D supports two main research objectives: Breakthrough T1D prioritizes four strategic research areas; autoimmune therapies, cell therapies, prevention of complications, and glucose control. In 2006, Breakthrough T1D launched

3025-488: Was spent on fundraising, and 7% was spent on administrative costs. Cumulatively, Breakthrough T1D was funding approximately $ 568 million in T1D research projects worldwide in 2018. Breakthrough T1D advocates for federally-funded T1D research, facilitates the delivery of medical advancements and resources to the T1D community, and supports policies that help prevent, manage, and treat T1D, with an aim toward eventual development of

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