Because tax-deductible contributions were used to create these endowments, the IRS only allows the foundation to use funds for educational purposes. Chapters have the option of awarding their fund to one or more individuals in their chapter, or use the funds to offset registration fees for the Principled Business Leadership Institute or College of Leadership.

Anyone can make a contribution to the Alpha Kappa Psi Foundation and restrict the gift to benefit an established Chapter Designated Fund. In most cases, the chapters themselves fund the endowments with some help from alumni. Alumni receive an important benefit when making a gift to a Chapter Designated Fund: they are eligible to receive a valuable IRS tax deduction (whereas gifts made directly to a chapter are not eligible for a tax deduction).

Once a Chapter Designated Fund reaches or exceeds a balance of $10,000, it is considered officially endowed. At that point, interest income (budgeted at 5%) will be returned to the chapter the following academic year and every year thereafter. The amount of a fund will be 5% of the endowment’s balance at the beginning of the academic year. It is assumed the the market will grow at 5% or greater—if the market peforms better than 5%, the extra amount of interest income created will stay in the fund and add to the principal. If the market performs less than 5%, awarding the fund could cause a depletion of the principal. However, over the long run, the 5% amount will not only protect the principal, but also allow for growth as the markets fluctuate from year to year.

Contact foundation@akpsi.org to learn more.