Fratres posing at a conference-convention

Developing Leaders, Strengthening the Creed

Your generosity fuels a three-fold impact:

01
Developing
high-caliber
leadership.

02
Sustaining
chapter
educational
excellence.

03
Championing
Community
Service.

Undergraduate and chapter receiving Guller Young Scholar Award

Rewarding Excellence from the Start

The Guller Young Scholar Award, funded through the generosity of the Sidney & Bobette Guller Family Foundation, in memory of Past Supreme Prior and Foundation Director Sidney Guller, Washington University, '43, celebrates our newest fratres who demonstrate exceptional academic focus during their first term. By providing a $500 scholarship to initiates who achieve a 3.75 GPA or higher, we set a standard of excellence the moment a member joins.

Your support ensures we can continue to incentivize and reward the scholar-leaders of tomorrow, as a gift to the Foundation’s Annual Fund provides the critical resources needed to manage and sustain high-impact programs like these for every chapter.

“DLI weekend was an incredibly rewarding unique leadership program. Through varying educational workshops, one that focused on professionalism helped sharpen our executive presence and communication styles.”

— Developing Leaders Initiative Attendee, 2026

“Our chapter was able to learn so much valuable information from the facilitators and other chapters who attended. It was especially an honor to meet and talk with Supreme Prior Dave Kleppel and Former Supreme Prior Phil Glauben."

—Chapter Leaders Day (CLD) Attendee, 2025
Honoring the Jewish Heritage and advocating for our communities

Honoring Our Heritage, Serving Our Communities

Our commitment to "True Manhood, Democracy, and Humanity" extends beyond the chapter house. Through dedicated partnerships and the Jewish Endeavor Grants, the Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation fosters a deep connection to our Jewish heritage and empowers our fratres to be leaders in service. These initiatives ensure our members have the resources to celebrate their identity and advocate for their community.

  • Jewish Life & Identity:
    We provide essential funding for programs that celebrate our Jewish heritage, including partnerships with campus organizations like Hillel and Chabad. These initiatives ensure our members have the resources to explore their identity and lead within the Jewish community.

  • Combating Antisemitism Grants:
    We fund educational initiatives and campus partnerships designed to educate students and professionals about antisemitism. These critical resources empower our chapters to lead with courage, confront hatred, and uphold our legacy on campus.

Fra Barry Epstein’s (Purdue, '58) vision for a vibrant Jewish life on campus continues today through the collective kindness of our Sigma Alpha Mu community. Your gift to the Foundation’s Annual Fund ensures we can continue to sustain these critical initiatives, providing the essential resources needed to deliver meaningful identity and educational programming to every chapter.

Jewish Endeavors Grant Recipients

Jacob Kaplan and family supporting campus safety

Leading the Way in Campus Safety

Established by Jacqueline Jacobs Caster to honor her grandfather, Founder Jacob Kaplan, the Jacob Kaplan Safe Campus Award recognizes collegiate chapters that prioritize the safety of women and all students on their campuses. By fostering partnerships with campus professionals and experts, our chapters lead critical initiatives in sexual assault awareness and domestic violence prevention.

Empowering Every Experience

Undergraduates building a bond through membership

Chapter Educational Funds

Directly impact the chapter you love. Chapter Educational Funds (CEFs) are restricted accounts managed by the Foundation for the sole benefit of a specific chapter. Because the Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity, your gifts to a CEF are tax-deductible, providing a professional and secure way to invest in your chapter's local success.

Your support strengthens the "Sammy" experience through:

  • Educational Spaces: Providing grants for chapter house study rooms, technology upgrades, and library improvements.

  • Leadership Development: Covering registration and travel for fratres to attend national leadership programs.

  • Health & Safety: Sponsoring campus programs on topics such as mental health, wellness, and safety.

  • Local Scholarships: Funding academic achievement awards for your chapter's student members.

Leadership Without End

While every gift supports our mission, our Named Leadership Funds provide the foundational stability needed to sustain premier programming year after year. These specialized funds, established by visionary alumni and friends, ensure that the resources for student growth—from advanced training modules to leadership assessments—remain available for every generation of Fratres.

⯃ Alvin W. Cohn Leadership Development Fund ⯃ Bobbi & Sidney Guller Leadership Fund ⯃ Community Service Fund ⯃ Lawrence D. Schaffer Leadership Conference Fund ⯃ Bradley Unger Leadership Conference Fund ⯃ David Sergi Leadership Conference Fund ⯃ Chapter Leaders Day Fund (made possible by David Rice and Irwin Jacobs) ⯃ Richie Williamson Octagonian Fund ⯃ Endowment Fund Educational Grant Fund ⯃ Living Learning Community Fund

⯃ Alvin W. Cohn Leadership Development Fund ⯃ Bobbi & Sidney Guller Leadership Fund ⯃ Community Service Fund ⯃ Lawrence D. Schaffer Leadership Conference Fund ⯃ Bradley Unger Leadership Conference Fund ⯃ David Sergi Leadership Conference Fund ⯃ Chapter Leaders Day Fund (made possible by David Rice and Irwin Jacobs) ⯃ Richie Williamson Octagonian Fund ⯃ Endowment Fund Educational Grant Fund ⯃ Living Learning Community Fund

Are you a student looking to apply?

If you are a chapter leader ready to take the next step, you’re in the right place. Visit our dedicated Student Programs page for more information.