KAOEF’s 1865 Trust recognized for 3rd straight year
At the recent annual North-American Interfraternity Conference Foundation Seminar, the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation (KAOEF) was recognized with an award of distinction. For the third straight year, KAOEF’s planned giving society the “1865 Trust,” received the award in the category of Best Planned Giving Effort. Submissions from many other fraternity and sorority foundations were judged according to the following: Overall effectiveness, participation, net income, cost per dollar raised, participation rate, and other relevant supporting material.
“We’re thrilled to have the 1865 Trust selected yet again as the Best Planned Giving Effort in the fraternity and sorority foundation world. The brothers committed to this society have pledged an enormous amount of support and we cannot thank them enough. This award is truly because of their support,” said KAOEF Executive Director Larry Stanton Wiese.
Idris R. Traylor, Jr., Former Knight Commander (former national president), serves as the Chairman of the 1865 Trust and sends personal letters each year to the members and potential supporters. Erik Showalter, KAOEF Director of Development and program administrator, had this to say: “Former Knight Commander Traylor is a strong supporter of the 1865 Trust. With his support, and the membership, our efforts continue to grow, be recognized, and benefit the Order.”
Since 2009, the membership for the 1865 Trust has grown by 31%, and KAOEF has received $3,207,500 in new estate pledges. After paying all publication and mailing costs, the KAOEF planned giving marketing efforts remains at an expense of only 2.5 cents per dollar raised. With 141 members currently participating in the 1865 Trust, the message is simple – planned gifts can be made at any age, and it does not have to be a complicated process.
The Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, created in 1981, to promote the education of undergraduate and graduate students in academic improvement, leadership, alcohol and substance abuse prevention and other general educational areas.
The KAOEF receives no government funding but accepts tax-deductible contributions from alumni and friends to be made in support of Kappa Alpha Order. With these gifts, the KAOEF helps underwrite a number of educational programs to the benefit of the Order. More information may be found at www.kaoef.org.
