History

     The Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc. (“Foundation Chapter”) was formed in 1953 as an Indiana not-for-profit corporation and was qualified as a private foundation under the Internal Revenue Code.  The founder and first president of the Foundation Chapter was Sherwood Blue, (Alpha Iota/Indiana University ’26).

     The Foundation Chapter’s original mission was to receive gifts for the purpose of awarding scholarships to undergraduate and graduate student brothers of Theta Chi Fraternity.

      In 1986, the Grand Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity authorized the formation of Theta Chi Funds for Leadership and Education, Inc. (“Funds”).  Funds also was formed as an Indiana not-for-profit corporation and qualified as a public foundation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

     Funds raised restricted and unrestricted tax-deductible gifts from brothers and friends of Theta Chi Fraternity to provide individual scholarships, as well as financing, for many of the leadership and educational programs of Theta Chi Fraternity.  In addition, Funds had responsibility for establishing Alumni Chapters in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.  Funds also owned and published our national magazine, The Rattle; our Planned Giving Newsletter, OX for Life; and other selected Fraternity publications. In addition, Funds sponsored the annual national golf outing held each summer in even numbered years in conjunction with the National Convention, and at the Chapter Leadership Conference (“CLC”) which is held during the summer on a college-campus in odd numbered years.  Funds also conducted special fund raising projects, such as: the sale of naming rights to rooms in the IHQ to increase our endowed funds, the sponsorship of engraved bricks in the Pathway of Brotherhood, the Undergraduate Giving Program (“UGP”), and the Planned Giving Program (“PGP”).

     On July 1, 2003, Funds was merged into the Foundation Chapter.  As of that date the Foundation Chapter qualified as a public foundation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Foundation Chapter is the sole national scholarship foundation for Theta Chi Fraternity. The merger realized administrative efficiencies and cost savings, while also eliminating any confusion that maintaining two foundations may have caused among our brothers.