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Alpha Kappa Alpha Affiliated Foundations
Pearl Elegance Foundation, Inc.
The Pearl Elegance Foundation, Inc. (PEF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit incorporated in the State of Maryland in 2014. PEF is the philanthropic arm of the Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® PEF’s mission, “We give to help others”, drives our community service, outreach, and partnerships. PEF performs service projects, awards scholarships and grants, and donates to other non-profit organizations to demonstrate our philanthropy.
SERVICE PROJECTS
PEF’s service projects align closely with Alpha Kappa Alpha’s current program targets:
Target 1: HBCU for Life: A Call to Action
Signature Program: #CAPSM (College Application Process)
Target 2: Women’s Healthcare and Wellness
Target 3: Building Your Economic Legacy
Target 4: The Arts!
Target 5: Global Impact
“Service to all mankind” has been a guiding principle for Alpha Kappa from its founding in 1908 as the first Greek letter organization for college educated black women. Since our incorporation in 2014, PEF has consistently performed service projects in partnership with Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter to benefit communities of need within the State of Maryland.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
Throughout our history, PEF has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships to high school and college students who are Maryland residents. In 2021 alone, PEF awarded 10, $1,500 scholarships to outstanding students. Since 2018, PEF has awarded $33,500 in scholarships to entering or current HBCU students. PEF’s micro-grant program has awarded a total of $5,000 in grants annually since 2020, to worthy applicants.
DONATIONS TO NON-PROFITS
PEF believes that supporting other non-profit organizations who are providing needed services is essential to ensuring the wellbeing of our connected communities. We donate $3,000 annually to local non-profit organizations to supplement community support within our service area.
“We give to help others” is the cornerstone of why the Pearl Elegance Foundation continues to perform service projects and raise funds to support the needs of our community, especially during the ongoing global pandemic. For more information about the Foundation visit us at www.pefinc.org.
Pearl Foundation, Inc.
Pearl Foundation, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 under the laws of the State of Maryland as the charitable affiliate of the Iota Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
The purposes of the Pearl Foundation, Inc. (Corporation) are stated in Article III of The Pearl Foundation, Inc., Articles of Incorporation dated February 3,1998. The purposes stated in the Article III of the Articles of Incorporation include, among other activities, raising funds to support broad educational,charitable, and community service programs and performing related services.Article III examples of proper use of Corporation funds include: assisting families and seniors; advancing the cultural arts; promoting economic well-being; awarding scholarships; providing educational experiences to youth and improving global conditions. Article III also expressly provides for raising funds for and managing a facility dedicated to community uses.
The Pearl Foundation, Incorporated was chartered in 1998 under the laws of the State of Maryland as the fundraising arm of the Iota Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The primary purpose of the foundation is to raise funds to advance educational and charitable giving. Recognizing the need for funding options and the increased cost of higher education, the foundation has a scholarship program for graduating Howard County high school seniors. Our Annual fashion shows generous donations from foundation members, other contributors, and various fundraising initiatives have provided for thousands of scholarships to many Howard County seniors over the years. The foundation also provides funds to service programs of Iota Lambda Omega Chapter. We contribute to several charitable organizations which include the following: United Negro College Fund (UNCF), A-OK Mentoring,Africare, Bridges to Housing Stability, Filostin School in Haiti, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Meals on Wheels, Grassroots Day Resource Center, Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA), Museum of African Art, Howard County Center of African American Culture, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), in Howard County. http://pearlfoundationinc.org
