When most people think of fraternity and sorority life, they might immediately picture the bold Greek letters stamped on the sides of houses, or crowds of cheering students. But if you strip back these stereotypes and look within these chapters, at their core you will see the philanthropies that they give back to. 

At the University of Vermont, members of the Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) community are putting in the work – not for themselves, but for the causes close to their hearts. From trash clean-ups, blanket drives, to raising money for veterans, promoting reading to children and supporting domestic violence awareness, UVM’s fraternities and sororities are showing that philanthropy isn’t just an event- it's a mindset. 

“It's at the forefront of our chapter – it's ingrained in what we do so much that it becomes second nature.” said Mollie Nicholson, Kappa Alpha Theta's Vice President External Affairs. Mollie recently coordinated the chapter's major fundraising event, Pasta For CASA, that helps organize support for children in the foster care system.  

Three women pose at a philanthropy event
Three Kappa Alpha Theta members, including Mollie Nicholson (center), the chapter's Vice President External Affairs, at the "Pasta for CASA" event. 

These events are the pinnacle of each chapter, something that they prepare for all semester. Mollie shared a bit about the behind the scenes of planning an event of this caliber. From securing donations, organizing volunteers and coordinating over 100 members on what to wear, what food to make and how the event should go. 

“It’s such a big event with so many people in our home- it’s so established that it is scary to put on” she said. “But when the event started, seeing everyone come together with that positive energy – that's when I knew it was all worth it.” 

The event raised funds directly for Vermont's chapter of CASA/GAL- The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem Association for Children, making it especially meaningful for the chapter's members who live and study here. Giving all members the opportunity to give back to the community that gives so much to them. The members don’t always get to see their impact first hand, but just knowing they are helping the community is what means so much to them.

Philanthropy in FSL isn’t confined to individual chapters. Every FSL organization works hand in hand to support one another’s causes. 

Dani Ginsberg, who serves as Kappa Alpha Theta's Philanthropy Chair, reflects on the growing collaboration between chapters and their philanthropy events. 

“We are doing a South Prospect trash clean- up with Pi Beta Phi and working with AGR at Shred-A-thon,” She said. “At RALLYTHON, I saw so many different FSL communities come together. You can really feel it when we all show up for each other.” 

A group of sorority members dance at RALLYTHON, one of UVM's signature philanthropic events.
Several sorority members dance at 2025's RALLYTHON, one of UVM's signature philanthropic events. 

But they are not the only chapters to collaborate together, this semester Phi Mu Delta and Tri Delta have joined forces for their event, Delta Dogs. As well as Pi Beta Phi and Pi Kappa Alpha for Pie A Phi. Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta recently came together for blanket making where all proceeds go to Burlington's Community Resource Center. Additionally, right now the Panhellenic Council is having a menstrual & personal hygiene drive where each sorority chapter received a bin to collect items for A New Place, a homeless shelter in Burlington. 

These members are showing up even when there’s nothing in it for them-no service hours, no fundraising incentives, just genuine support and a shared commitment to community. Take Alpha Gamma Rho’s ongoing fundraiser, AGR Fries, which raises money for a little boy named River Walker, who is currently suffering from medulloblastoma- a rare form of brain and spinal cord cancer. When it came time to promote the event, AGR reached out to other chapters directly, including Kappa Alpha Theta 

“Everyone really came together and posted about it,” Dani recalled. “We weren’t getting any hours or funding for it- it was all for the chapter across the street. It was a service so close to them and we can see how much they cared about it, so we cared about it. And we know they would do the same thing for us.” 

Philanthropy work in FSL is often demanding- hours of planning, coordinating and organizing goes into their events that may only last a couple hours. But for students like Dani and Mollie, the payoff goes far beyond the logistics. 

“We show up for each other and for the community,” Dani Said. “ And at the end of the day, that's what makes it all worth it.” 

While these efforts might not always grab headlines, they’re making a lasting impact- on the lives of those being served and the students who are learning what it means to lead with a purpose.