Supporting Oklahoma Alpha
In 1969, Phi Kappa Psi undergraduate brothers came up with the idea of running the football from Norman to Columbia, Missouri for the highly anticipated then Big 8 matchup. The 450-mile trek through 3 states was a new unofficial world record for farthest handoff of a football.
Sooner Coach Fairbanks came to the Chapter House at 720 Elm, where he autographed the football at the start of the run.
Sign-up sheets were organized for runners who would go four to five in a car, and rotate the runners while the car would follow the runner carrying the ball. A majority of the approximately 70 members at the time signed up for at least one turn to advance the ball to Columbia. Day and night, they kept advancing the ball, until they delivered it Saturday on the field of play.
That spirit lives on and the meaning of “Carry It Forward” is the essence of our newest capital campaign to raise $1 million over the next 3 years. Donations will help us continue to build on our vision of the future and carry forward the Phi Psi experience to the next generations.
All gifts to the campaign made through the Phi Psi Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Additional Ways to Make an Impact
The easiest and quickest way to support Oklahoma Alpha is with a cash gift by check or credit card. Cash gifts given annually are vital to Oklahoma Alpha’s operations and programs. We can also set up a recurring gift to charge your credit card a specific amount on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
Cash gifts are easy to make and carry tax benefits, but gifts of stock or other securities may be a more appropriate gift vehicle for your situation. Securities and property may be given directly to the Phi Psi Foundation as annual gifts, or they may be used to establish certain types of planned gifts. Stocks & Securities A gift of stock is valued for tax purposes on the date of transfer. The fair market value of gifts of long-term, capital gain securities or real estate are deductible based upon a donor’s adjusted gross income. Giving securities that have increased in value is a great way to both benefit Oklahoma Alpha and bypass the capital gains tax due on a sale. By far the best way to transfer securities is to do so through our online donation tool. Simply answer a few questions, print your forms, and follow the instructions to send them to your brokerage — this platform will automatically pull all of Phi Psi’s stock transfer information. It will also immediately alert us to your gift, so that we can properly thank you for your generosity. If you would prefer to complete the transfer offline, simply contact the Foundation’s investment manager at the information below. Please also call the Foundation once you have completed the transfer. This helps ensure you receive proper recognition for your contribution and assures that the gift was credited to the proper fund. Firm: Buckingham Strategic Wealth Advisor: Tim Jost (tjost@bamadvisor.com | 314.783.2918 If you do not have stocks in a broker account, you may have paper stock certificates printed in the Foundation’s legal name and delivered to the Foundation’s offices. Have the certificates issued to the “Endowment Fund of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity” and delivered to 5395 Emerson Way, Indianapolis, Indiana 46226. A final option is to deliver to the Foundation paper stock certificates issued in your name. For security reasons, do not endorse the backs of the certificates. Instead, include a transmittal letter specifying your name and address and indicating how many shares you are contributing. Then, in a separate envelope, send the Foundation a stock power executed in blank with the signature guaranteed. Your bank or attorney should be able provide you with stock power forms and guarantee your signature. You must also include a cover letter confirming your gift.
Many companies offer employees a matching gift benefit that doubles the gift to Oklahoma Alpha. When making your gift, check to see if your employer has a corporate matching gift program.
A gift to Oklahoma Alpha through the Foundation by will or trust is a creative way to help in the long term, while still retaining full control of your assets during your lifetime. Each bequest to the Foundation serves as a legacy to future generations, and helps secure the future of the organization. We have partnered with FreeWill to help you create your legal will online at no cost, and establish your legacy gift for free. Get started here. Have you already created a gift in your will or trust to Phi Kappa Psi? Fill out this form to let us know!
Planned giving is a very special tool of philanthropy. It’s reserved for those individuals and families with both a clear vision and a sense of deep conviction – for both the near and long-term. Whatever form your planned gift takes, keep in mind that it is a wonderful way to support the Phi Psi Foundation.
If you are drawn to things that endure, how would you feel if your name, or the name of a loved one, someday became associated with the good works of the Foundation. A named scholarship, fellowship or a room at Laurel Hall is a lasting gift to the Foundation that permanently associates the name of the donor – or that of a family member, friend or chapter brother – with Phi Kappa Psi.