To celebrate Phi Beta Kappa’s 50th year at St. Olaf College in 1999-2000, the Delta Chapter launched a $25,000 fund drive to establish “The Phi Beta Kappa–Delta of Minnesota Endowed Fund.” The College deemed the Phi Beta Kappa endowment to be “an excellence fund” and included contributions to it in its “Fram! Fram! Forward St. Olaf!” 125th anniversary fund drive.
Thanks to the hard work of Professor Emeritus Lowell Johnson ’52 and Paul H. Schmitt, St. Olaf’s Director of Planned Giving, the endowment was fully funded within a year. Its spendable earnings “are used to provide student initiates with membership certificates, to support outside speakers, to underwrite graduation and initiation receptions, and for such other activities and expenses deemed appropriate by the chapter or its officers.”
Contributions to the endowed fund are still welcome and may be sent by mail to the Planned Giving Office, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, Minnesota 55057. Specify that the donation is for Phi Beta Kappa on the memo line of your check or enclose a note if making a credit card payment by mail.
It is also possible to donate online: https://stolaf.wufoo.com/forms/give-online/
Again, specify Phi Beta Kappa in the text box.