Leadership & Educational Grants From The Chapter Education Grant Fund

What is a Chapter Education Grant Fund?

Chapter Education Grant Funds (CEFG's) were first established in 1985 to provide a vehicle for alumni to make tax-deductible gifts to their chapter through the ATO Foundation. The CEFG was then made available as the principle for construction/renovation loans back to the chapter. The CEFG was also designed to accommodate grants for Designated Educational Areas (DEAs) in the construction/renovation of a chapter house. DEAs are segregated portions of the house that can be classified as 100% educational (i.e. libraries, computer rooms, etc). CEFG's have now evolved to accommodate grants for a broader range of educational opportunities.

What is an Educational Grant?

Educational grants are grants made from the Chapter Education Grant Funds to purchase equipment and provide scholarships that are 100% educational in nature.

What can an Educational Grant be used for?

For any purpose that can be proved to be 100% educational. This includes, but it not limited, to chapter computers and peripherals, educational software, scholarships to LeaderShape and Regional Leadership Conferences, scholarships to attend the biennial ATO Congress, academic scholarships and awards, scholarships to attend local and regional educational (as long as they are educational and will benefit the chapter as a whole), and reference books for the chapter library. If the chapter wishes to use an L&E grant for another purpose, they may make their argument on the grant application form and submit to the Foundation for review.

What restrictions are there on an Educational Grants?

The IRS requires that all funds granted by a public foundation be made for 100% educational purposes. Further, each chapter (and their Board of Trustees Chairman or House Corporation President) receiving a grant must sign a contract stated that the funds granted will be used only for the purpose stated on the application form. All unused funds, or funds used improperly, must be paid back.

What does a chapter have to do to obtain one?

Easy! Request a Educational Grant Application/Agreement (one page) from the Foundation, fill it out, obtain the correct documentation and signatures, and send it back to Cheri J. Dillon at the ATO National Headquarters. Review of the applications usually takes no longer than 48 hours. If the application is approved for grant, a check will be issued and sent to the alumnus volunteer whose signature appears on the grant agreement.

Can the chapter give away items purchased with an educational grant?

No, any equipment or other items purchased with an educational grant are the property of the chapter and must remain so. No single member of the chapter may take possession of any item purchased with a grant made for chapter property.

What is the largest grant available?

The largest grant available to a chapter is the grantable balance of their CEFG.

Is there a limit to the number of grants a chapter can get?

No. Chapters may apply for grants as many times as they wish. Again, the only limiting factors are the balance of the CEFG and IRS restrictions.

Is this a one-time thing?

No. The CEFG program is intended to be a permanent fixture of the Alpha Tau Omega Foundation. Money will be raised on an annual basis for the CEFG. Donors can designate their gift(s) to be placed in a specific CEFG at any time and as often as they like.

Where does the money come from?

Gifts will be solicited from all constituencies of the chapter; undergraduates, parents, volunteers, and any chapter alumnus that does not have a record of giving with the ATO Foundation. All gifts to the ATO Foundation are tax-deductible. All donors to the CEFG will receive a thank-you not and a receipt for their taxes. In addition, all donors will be acknowledged in the Foundation Annual Report and their chapter newsletter (if they utilize the NPS service). Since chapters are the direct beneficiary of the program, they will be asked to play an active role in raising money for the CEFG.

Please contact Cheri J. Dillon at (317) 472-0939 extension 203
Or email to for further information.