Current Initiative Partnerships
In the spring of 2016, the High Council instructed the General Fraternity to evaluate the Fraternity’s Helping Hand Partner model to determine if changes needed to be made to its structure. Based on chapter feedback and further deliberation of the Council, the decision was made to end the previously placed limits on the organizations that could become official partners of the Initiative. Today, all service efforts and philanthropic gifts provided by Sigma Nu chapters are counted as part of the larger Helping Hand Initiative. Furthermore, the General Fraternity has established guidelines for featured partners to be made public on the Fraternity’s website and within officer resources. The featured partners are provided below.
Quick Partner Links:
What are Helping Hand Partners?
The Fraternity’s identified partnerships serve as an opportunity for chapters unfamiliar with service and philanthropy to identify organizations that their members feel most passionate about and where the chapter can make the greatest impact on their community. The Fraternity’s strategic plan calls for opportunities for members to become involved in community service and philanthropic endeavors to foster the development of servant leaders. To that end, the Fraternity feels it is important to not limit the opportunities available to our members; thus, we recognize and support our chapters’ choice of service activity or 501(c)(3) organization. The number and roster of Helping Hand Partners have experienced significant change since the Initiative’s inception. Although certain partnerships have come and gone, and the number of partnerships has fluctuated based on the Fraternity’s strategic goals, the intent of the partnerships has remained constant.
The Helping Hand Initiative exhibits a flexible, multi-faceted model of organizational interaction established to meet the needs of Sigma Nu chapters and the needs of the community organizations with whom the chapters are serving. The Helping Hand Initiative was NOT established to replace any community service or philanthropic traditions at any individual chapter; rather, the Helping Hand Initiative was established as an official framework in which chapters can operate philanthropically. The Helping Hand Initiative was also established to promote the service and philanthropic efforts of the collegiate chapters and place Sigma Nu members everywhere in a position to realize the benefits and satisfaction of being a servant leader.
How are Partners Selected?
The strategic aim of the Helping Hand Initiative is to help connect Sigma Nu chapters and members with organizations they feel passionate about serving to foster the development of servant leadership. To that end, Sigma Nu Fraternity is dedicated to partnering with leading organizations committed to making positive change. To identify partners, Sigma Nu employs a simple guiding principles test focused on five main areas; Mission Alignment, Non-Profit Status, Chapter Support, Scope, and Resources Offered. To be recognized as a partner, each organization should:
- Have a mission that aligns with the values and mission of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc.
- Be an established 501(c)3 or 501(c)(7) organization with a reputation compatible with the Fraternity’s devotion to excellence and service.
- Have support from at least two Sigma Nu chapters. Support is determined by involvement or fundraising efforts directed toward the organization over an academic year and is re-evaluated every two years.
- Operate nationally while delivering results that improve conditions of local communities. The focus and results delivered by partners should remain largely within the United States or North America.
Finally, and most importantly, partners should be able to assist chapter officers looking to create, maintain, or build upon a current partnership with the organization.
Partners
The current partners of the Sigma Nu Fraternity Helping Hand Initiative.
 |
|
| Mission: The American Heart Association’s Mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Paul “Bear” Bryant, a Sigma Nu himself, retired from the University of Alabama as the winningest coach in college football history. He was unable to enjoy life after hanging up the whistle due to a heart attack at age 69, a mere 28 days after coaching his last winning game in the Liberty Bowl. Feeling moved to educate and impact awareness around heart disease and stroke, Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s family approached the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to create a meaningful partnership to keep Bear’s legacy alive. Since 1986, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards has honored the most excellent college football coaches both on and off the field while raising over $8.5 Million for the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association. |
 |
|
| Mission: The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the life of Andrew McDonough. Andrew battled leukemia, septic shock, and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days before passing away on July 14, 2007, at the age of 14. Andrew’s B+ blood type became his family’s and friends’ motto throughout his fight against childhood cancer — to “Be Positive.”The B+ Foundation is about Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer — raising money to provide financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer nationwide. The B+ Foundation also funds critical, cutting-edge childhood cancer research and raises awareness and advocates on behalf of kids with cancer. |
 |
|
| Mission: Childhelp exists to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children. We focus our efforts on intervention, treatment, and prevention of abuse. Through art and animal therapy, a child silenced by abuse or neglect can find their voice and begin a journey of hope and healing. Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Childhelp Co-Founder (mother of Sigma Nu son with a grandson now a member) offers her appreciation to an organization close to her heart, “Sigma Nu has made a great impact on our growth. We have a cottage built by your efforts where children who have experienced unspeakable abuse reclaim their lives in safety and love. Between volunteering, fundraising, and building dreams, we are honored to work together to empower brave survivors for brighter futures.” |
 |
|
| Mission: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment, and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. |
 |
|
| Mission: Food Recovery Network is the largest student movement against food waste and hunger in America. |
 |
|
|
Mission: To significantly improve people's lives with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education, and advocacy. The Vision of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation is to educate government organizations and society and to change legislation so that every person with Down syndrome: is protected against discrimination; has access to effective educational programs; enjoys a comparable, fair share of funding from the Federal Government for research, medical care, and educational programming; is a valued member of society; has access to evidence-based medical care; has the opportunity to have a job and earn a decent wage without being disqualified for health benefits; and can reach their potential to lead a dignified, full and productive life.
|
 |
|
| Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. |
 |
|
| Mission: HazingPrevention.Org is a national organization dedicated to empowering people to prevent hazing by providing education and resources and building partnerships with others. Major initiatives of the organization include National Hazing Prevention Week™, the Novak Institute for Hazing Prevention™, and educational courses that touch the lives of thousands of individuals, organizations, campuses, and communities. |
 |
|
| Mission: JED is a national nonprofit to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. JED partners with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. JED equips teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. JED also encourages community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health. |
 |
|
| Mission: The Movember Foundation is the leading global charity changing the face of men’s health. Since 2003, Movember has asked men to grow a mustache during November to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically focused on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. With the help of over 5 million participants worldwide, the Movember community has not only started countless conversations but has raised over $837 million and funded over 1,200 men’s health projects in 20+ countries. Through Movember’s online fundraising platform, Sigma Nu chapters have led the charge in the fraternity competition. Although the road to getting our men living happier, healthier, and longer lives might be a hairy one, it’s one worth growing. |
 |
|
| Mission: The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. |
 |
|
| Mission: As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation believes that kids are special and deserve to be treated that way. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts working to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. Kids need treatments as unique as they are – and that starts with funding research just for them. |
 |
|
| Mission: St. Jude leads the way the world understands, treats, and defends childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for catastrophic pediatric diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family's ability to pay. |
 |
|
| Mission: To honor and empower Wounded Warriors. Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors by providing free programs and services that address their needs and fill gaps in government care. They do this with a vision to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of injured service members in our nation’s history. Wounded warriors who incurred service-connected injuries or illness on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible for the WWP Alumni program. No dues here - they paid those on the battlefield. |